Celebrating 50 Years of Service in 2025

In the mid-1970s, Michigan launched an experiment in public transportation: Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART), a flexible, on-demand service designed to help small towns test local transit. In 1975, Grand Haven joined the pilot, with just a few vehicles, a small team, and a simple mission—getting people where they needed to go.

What started as a modest initiative quickly proved its value. For many in the Northwest Ottawa County community, DART offered the first real taste of dependable, local transportation—to work, school, shopping, and medical care. Over the decades, that pilot program evolved into Harbor Transit, expanding service, growing partnerships, and becoming a cornerstone of regional mobility.

Now, 50 years later, Harbor Transit provides thousands of rides each year—still driven by the same purpose: connecting people to their community, one ride at a time.

The public is welcome to join us as we celebrate this incredible journey—from humble beginnings to a vital community service—and look forward to the road ahead.

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 12pm-2pm (Special presentations and recognitions begin at 1pm)
Location: Harbor Transit Facility Bus Garage, 440 N Ferry Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Beginning on October 1, 2024, Harbor Transit riders purchasing ride credits with a credit/debit card will incur a small service fee charged by a third party electronic payment processing company.

Currently, riders can purchase ride credits with a credit or debit card through the Lakeshore Go app, through Harbor Transit’s website at www.harbortransit.org/fares, or in person at our facility with a card, cash, or check. A service fee is charged for each electronic payment transaction, and will be charged automatically. Riders do not have to perform any additional actions when purchasing ride credits. 

The service fees are as follows:

• In-Person Payment with a Credit/Debit card = 2.95% + $0.50 service fee per transaction
• Online Payment or Lakeshore Go Payment with a Credit/Debit card = 2.9% + $0.30 service fee per transaction 

The good news is, there are several ways that riders can reduce electronic payment service fee charges:

• Purchase a Monthly Pass if you are a frequent rider.
• Purchase a “Bundle” of ride credits (they come in the amounts of $9, $18, or $27), or purchase your ride credits in bulk for any other amount of your choosing. 
• Pay with cash or a check at our facility at 440 N Ferry Street to avoid incurring any fees at all. Your ride to and from Harbor Transit to add ride credits to your account will be free.

With a fleet of 29 accessible buses, Harbor Transit is committed to providing affordable and convenient transportation to all of our Tri-Cities residents. Since 1975, we’ve provided transportation for thousands of passengers going to work, school, medical appointments, and other important destinations.