About Us

The Macatawa Area Express (MAX) is a small urban transit system that has operated fixed bus routes and demand response service since 2000. The transit system is governed by an independent Authority formed under Public Act 196 on July 1, 2007, when the City of Holland transferred oversight to the Authority Board.

Freedom of Information Act

View/download MAX Transit FOIA Guidelines and Procedure

If you’re looking to submit a request, please fill out this form and send it back to us

ADA Complaint Procedure

View/download our ADA Complaint Procedure here.

If a customer would like to request an accommodation or reasonable modification, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 616-928-2479.

Are you or someone you know a victim of human trafficking? Get help now.

Transportation Authority Board

The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives appointed by the City of Holland and Holland Charter Township, and an ex-officio member appointed by the City of Zeeland and one appointed by Park Township, and an ex-officio member appointed by the City of Zeeland and one appointed by Park Township, which contract for bus services under service agreements with the Authority. Board meetings are held at 3:30 p.m. the forth Monday of the month at MAX’s administrative office and main transfer center at the Padnos Center, 171 Lincoln Ave. in downtown Holland.

Constructed in 2013, MAX’s Operations Center is located at 11660 Greenway Drive in Holland Township. MAX is funded primarily with federal and state funding, as well as a dedicated transit millage of 0.4 mills. Passenger fares also provide about 6 percent of total revenue for operations.

MAX employs approximately 80 full and part time staff, and is managed by an Executive Director, who reports to the Board.

MAX Transportation Authority Board Members

Russell TeSlaa – Chairperson, Holland Charter Township

Joe Baumann – Secretary/Treasurer, Holland Charter Township

Nathan Bocks – Member, City of Holland

Kristin Myers – Member, Disability Network/Lakeshore

Kevin Klynstra – Ex-Officio, City of Zeeland

Jan Steggerda – Ex-Officio, Park Township

Al Rios – Member, Holland Charter Township

Meika Weiss – Member, City of Holland

Jason Latham – Macatawa Area Coordinating Council

Abraham Hernandez – Student Advisor

MAX Staff

Elisa Hoekwater – Executive Director

Beth Higgs – Deputy Director/Marketing Manager

Barbara Sonnerville – Administrative Coordinator/Finance & Procurement

Authority Board Schedule

NEXT MEETING
AUGUST 26, 2024

 

 

 

Monday, January 22, 2024

Monday, February 26, 2024 – CANCELED

Monday, March 25, 2024

Monday, April 22, 2024

Monday, May 20, 2024 – Change due to holiday 

Monday, June 24, 2024 

Monday, July 22, 2024 – CANCELED

Monday, August 26, 2024 – Moved to Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Monday, September 23, 2024 – CANCELED

Monday, October 28, 2024

Monday, November 25, 2024

Monday, December 16, 2024 – Change due to holiday

Local Advisory Council (LAC)

The LAC is a citizen’s advisory council that reviews operational matters for the transit system and provides input and suggestions for improvements that would benefit transit users. Students, residents, older adults and people with disabilities who use the transit system are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the LAC.

Meetings are held at the Padnos Transportation Center throughout the year.

For more information, contact the LAC Coordinator at (616)928-2479 or paratransit@catchamax.org.

Current LAC
Members

Elizabeth Schultz – Council Chair and Resident / Holland Charter Township

Ken Deur – Resident / City of Holland

Martha Zahn – Resident / City of Holland

Amy Florea – Agency on Aging Representative

Interested in
Volunteering?

Print or submit your application online. For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (616)928-2479 or at paratransit@catchamax.org.

Benefits of Transit

Reasons to Ride MAX Transit

If we all used public transit, it would be good for everybody. Where public transportation goes, community grows.

Two important trends that will increase the demand on public transit is the growing older adult population who will have a need for alternative transportation, and the desire by younger “Millennials” to reside in walkable urban communities close to bus routes.

MAX plans to meet these growing needs through service improvements and expansion as funding is available.

Beyond the obvious benefit of getting people where they want and need to go, public transportation provides communities with a plethora of social, economic and environmental benefits. Here’s the Top 10 Reasons to Ride MAX Transit (and all public transit):

1. Supports the Local and State Infrastructure

Public transportation is an essential part of a community’s infrastructure, providing the means and freedom of travel and independence for many of local residents. MAX is one of 117 public transit providers across Michigan that collectively provides over 110 million rides annually. Each year, MAX provided almost 500,000 rides to area residents

2. Provides Access to Vital Services

Public transit allows people to remain mobile, engaged and connected. It provides access to jobs, medical visits, shopping, and educational and social opportunities for those who cannot drive, choose not to, or cannot afford the costs of a personal vehicle.

3. Fuels Our Economy

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of public transportation is economic development. It provides people with access to jobs and training so they can contribute to our economy. Numerous studies confirm that up to 50 percent of all daily trips on transit are for travel to and from work. People are riding the bus to either to spend money or to make money – and that’s great for our economy.

Investing in local transit also creates direct and indirect economic benefits. In Michigan, public transportation creates and sustains nearly 6,000 direct jobs for workers employed by transit providers, and thousands more through those who work to supply our state’s transit industry. This creates induced spending from the circulation of those same dollars within our community to support other jobs and related spending. In rural areas, studies have shown that the economic benefits of transit exceed costs by a three-to-one margin, while metropolitan areas have demonstrated a $6 return for every transit dollar invested.

4. State Transit Investments Leverage for Federal Dollars

State investments in public transportation allow transit agencies to qualify for additional federal funding. The more Michigan invests in transit, the more federal dollars Michigan’s transit fleets and infrastructure can secure for capital and operational improvements. Failure to provide adequate state funding results in a significant loss of federal capital funding needed to support public transportation.

5. Transit Supports Tourism

Our state’s popular “Pure Michigan” campaign attracts visitors and tourists to our state, generating more than $17 billion in revenue. Once they get here, public transit keeps them connected and engaged with area festivals, attractions and events. Moving masses of people is what public transit does best.
According to the 2012-2017 Michigan Tourism Strategic Plan, one primary objectives of the Pure Michigan program is to “support the improvement and increased awareness of the quality, connectivity and diversity of tourist transportation options into and throughout the state.” This is done through transportation improvements that enhance the visitor’s experience, such as road repairs, mass transit, shuttles and regional airports.

6. Transit is Safer than Driving

According to the National Safety Council, using public transit is safer than a car. In fact, riding the bus is 170 times safer than travelling in a car!

7. Transit Reduces Traffic and Congestion

If one bus can move 24 or more passengers, that’s 20 fewer vehicles on the road. Most trips are made in single occupant vehicles. Fewer cars on the road mean less traffic, congestion and frustration. Besides, riding the bus is more relaxing and gives you time to do other things, like check on voice mails and emails, read the newspaper, and do work or homework. It’s productive time.

8. Transit Use Saves Money

Transportation is the second largest expense in most households, and the average cost of owning and operating a vehicle is about $8,000 per year. When adding in the cost of city parking, individuals who ride public transportation instead of driving can save more than $10,000 per year, according to a study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). People can reduce their household budget by giving up one family car and instead using transit. It can save you thousands of dollars in transportation costs annually.
In fact, nearly 6 percent of Holland area residents use MAX, which is nearly double the national average use rate for transit systems and community’s of this size. (Source: MP2 Planning Consultants, 2011)

9. Transit is Good for the Environment

While Michiganders have a strong affection for their cars, more residents strive to be good stewards of the environment. Using public transit — even occasionally — reduces harmful emissions. Public transportation preserves air quality.

Mass transit produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide (CO) per passenger than private vehicles, and nearly 50 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). A single person commuting alone for a 20-mile round-trip can reduce his/her annual CO2 emissions by 4,800 pounds per year by choosing to use public transportation. This is equal to a ten percent reduction in all greenhouse gasses produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household.

By eliminating one car and taking public transportation instead of driving, a savings of up to 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions can be realized. Using public transit also saves almost 4 million gallons of fuel per day, making us less dependent on foreign oil.

To encourage the use of public transit, MAX offers free fixed route rides on designated Clean Air Action Days and Earth Day, as well as the four scheduled election days in Michigan. So you can help clear the air and exercise your right to vote by riding MAX.

10. Drives Innovation and Technology

Michigan’s transit systems routinely partner with industry suppliers, research institutions and trade associations to reduce costs, improve services and support the design, development and testing of new technology to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve passenger services.
The investment in new technology that supports public transit expands the market for Michigan-based products and services, and supports the growth of new jobs in our state. Just some of the new technologies being used by transit systems include mobile data systems with Automated Vehicle Location (AVL), real-time performance tracking, and rider tool applications and convenient web interfaces.

Annual Reports

2021 Annual Report

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2020 Annual Report

MAX keeps moving forward in a year full of change!

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2019 Annual Report

Another great year, full of change and growth at MAX.

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2018 Annual Report

Partnerships with local supports provides continued growth and expansion.

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2017 Annual Report

MAX experiences success and expansion in 2017 with help from local support and community.

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2016 Annual Report

Another year in the books! Check out how MAX has changed in the past year.

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2015 Annual Report

MAX looks back at a very productive year filled with community involvement!

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2014 Annual Report

MAX reflects on a productive year and looks forward to exciting improvements slated for FY2015-2016.

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2013 Annual Report

MAX finished construction and began using it’s new operations facility in 2013, paving the way for improved service and future growth.

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2012 Annual Report

Ridership continued to grow dramatically in 2012, leading to tweaks in routes.

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2011 Annual Report

The community showed its support for MAX in the springtime millage elections, and in the significant increase of ridership this year.

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2010 Annual Report

This past year, MAX enjoyed many positive changes and experiences. Please look through our 2010 Annual Report to learn more about our accomplishments and meet some of the people who use and work for the MAX Transit system.

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2009 Annual Report

It has been a very busy year for MAX, and we’re excited about some new initiatives for 2010. MAX is on the move! We hope you’ll continue to follow us on our journey.

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2008 Annual Report

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2009 Annual Report

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2006 Annual Report

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