WOTA Purpose
Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA) is a door-to-door, demand response public transportation service for resident 18 and older with priority given to seniors age 55+, disabled adults age 18+ and veterans of our service area. Regardless of your mobility, WOTA can take you where you need to go as all of our vehicles are lift-equipped. WOTA is funded by the generosity of Oakland taxpayers through the Oakland County Transit Millage passed in 2022.
Call (248) 887-4979 to schedule your ride. All riders (including companion riders) must have completed a WOTA registration. Visit the Application To Ride page for more information.
WOTA continues to work with local food banks Hospitality House, Open Door Outreach Center and Community Sharing to assist residents in our coverage areas. If you need transportation help, please contact your social worker at your food bank for more information.
One Tap Access
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Announcements
New Ride Reminder Calls and Texts
We now have the ability to send phone calls or text messages to help remind you about your ride.
Those that opt-in will receive:
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A reminder before your appointment
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A message about 15 minutes before your driver arrives
- A notice of closures
In order to participate, you must "opt-in" giving your permission for a message via phone call or text. Please let your dispatcher know when you schedule your ride if you could like to participate.
Messaging and data rates may apply. If you have questions contact our office.
PLEASE NOTE: WOTA WILL CLOSE OR REDUCE SERVICES TO MEDICAL AND WORK ONLY WHEN NECESSARY FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER OR DURING STATE OF EMERGENCY SAFETY CONDITIONS. PLEASE CHECK THE ANNOUNCEMENTS SECTION, FACEBOOK OR RECORDING FOR UPDATES
Some changes at WOTA...
WOTA is expanding our return pick-up window. Starting Monday, April 13th, WOTA is increasing our pick window time for return trips from 15 mins to 30 mins. This change will help to make us more efficient and improve reliability for all riders. Thank you for your support and for riding WOTA.
Free Rides for Veterans!
In conjunction with Oakland County Veteran Services, WOTA is able to offer FREE rides in our service area to Veterans. This includes widows and dependents. If your ride takes you outside our service area, please call (248) 419-7984 to speak with a SMART customer service representative to arrange your FREE trip.
All riders must be registered and a copy of your DD Form 214 or driver's license with Veteran designation must be on file. Call our dispatch to schedule your appointments today.
We thank you for your service!
How to Apply
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- Confirm your ride need is serviced with WOTA Service Map
- Confirm WOTA is open on day of ride need
- Confirm you are eligible to ride WOTA transportation
- Review the passenger rates
- Review the passenger rules
- Fill out an online application, or download/print a paper version
Service Area
The service area includes over 500 square miles with the following boundaries:
NORTH - Northern Border of Highland & White Lake Townships, and Clarkston.
EAST - Pontiac, down to Orchard Lake Rd between 12 & 16 Mile and Hiller Rd to Telegraph between Pontiac Lake and Williams Lake Roads.
WEST - US 23 (Hartland) and Kensington Rd and the west edge of Milford Township.
SOUTH - Grand River Ave to 10 Mile & Haggerty.
Holly Area Residents: Due to the rural nature of your area, WOTA will also take you into Fenton, Grand Blanc and some areas in Flint based on need in addition to the original travel area of WOTA. Please contact our dispatch for additional information.
To use the map, enter your destination or location in the "Search Map" bar to see if it falls in our defined territories.
Check our Partners in Oakland County if your needs are outside of our service area.
Passenger Rates
The Cost for Service
Adults 18+: $4.00 per stop
Seniors and adults with disabilities: $2.00 per stop.
Veterans (and family): Free
Companion Riders: Free
Riders must have exact fare (our drivers do not carry change), check or pre-purchased punch card. Punch cards are $20 for 10 one-way tickets plus, you receive 1 FREE ride!
Purchasing Punch Cards
Punch cards may be purchased by calling 248-887-4979, mailing a check to, or visiting the office at 250 W. Livingston Rd., Highland, MI 48357. Drivers also carry cards with them and accept check or exact cash amounts.
| Fare Type | Fare | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Public | $4 per stop | ||||
| Seniors 55+ | $2 per stop | ||||
| Adults with Disabilities | $2 per stop | ||||
| Veterans | Free | ||||
Passenger Rules
Scheduling
Hours for Scheduling a Ride: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Voicemail is not available to schedule rides; you MUST speak to a Dispatcher.
- Work schedules can be sent in by email to: [email protected]
- Rides are provided on a first come, first serve basis. No ride is guaranteed. There is a very real possibility that you will be on the bus with other riders as we are public transportation. We are trying to accommodate as many rides as possible.
- You must schedule rides at least 48 business hours in advance. WOTA is experiencing incredible growth and times book up quickly. If you know you have an appointment a week or two out, please call right away to schedule your trip.
- Voicemail is not available to schedule rides; you MUST speak to a Dispatcher.
- WOTA is demand-response public transportation and schedules change daily based on rides that day, how many people are on the vehicle, traffic, weather, late passengers, issues with passengers, etc. We have no fixed routes. Please be patient and understand your ride will not be the same every time. We have different drivers and different routes daily.
- During inclement weather WOTA may be closed or may only accommodate work and medical appointment rides in your area. A message will be posted on WOTA’s website: www.ridewota.org, on our Facebook page and we will also call.
- The driver can only take the passenger to the destination that was scheduled with the dispatcher. Drivers cannot make scheduling adjustments; these must be done ahead of time with dispatch.
- Riders are only allowed one round trip with as many as two (2) stops each day, unless time permits.
Cancelling
When canceling, please call at least 2 hours in advance, or you will be charged $2.00 for a NO-SHOW. You can leave a message before or after hours. Multiple no-shows may result in a probation or suspension from service.
On the Bus
- All driveways, walk-ways and private roads must be cleared of debris, snow/ice or limbs.
- Riders must wear a seat belt when riding WOTA vehicles for safety.
Allowed
- Companion riders are allowed to ride on WOTA vehicles free of charge, but they MUST have a registration form on file with the dispatch office prior to riding.
- WOTA drivers will assist passengers on and off the vehicles, as needed. Please report any driver that does not assist you if needed and requested.
- You may bring groceries, laundry, etc. on the vehicle. Drivers can assist with grocery bags (one trip only) Personal carts are welcome.
Not Allowed
- WOTA does not allow transportation for medical emergencies. Call 9-1-1.
- WOTA cannot transit riders home after a procedure that requires anesthetic.
- WOTA drivers are not permitted to handle or deliver any medications for the riders.
- No guns, knives or weapons of any kind will be permitted on our vehicles.
- No hazardous, explosive, or corrosive materials will be permitted on our vehicles.
- WOTA does not transport any animals (except for trained service dogs), furniture or appliances.
- WOTA drivers cannot assist with items that have come in contact with bodily fluids. No building materials.
- No smoking or use of electronic cigarettes is allowed on the WOTA vehicle.
- No open containers or consumption of food and drink is allowed on the bus.
- If a passenger is verbally or physically abusing or harassing any WOTA passenger and/or employee, that passenger causes an unsafe situation and is subject to probation and/or a loss of service immediately. Passengers may be promptly returned home or denied a return ride home. If serious enough, the bus will be stopped and 9-1-1 will be called to escort the rider off the vehicle.
- All passengers should be reasonably sanitary and free of extreme or unpleasant odors.
- No alcohol or drugs can be used on the vehicles at any time. Any passenger visibly compromised may be escorted off the vehicle immediately.
WOTA Holiday Closures
WOTA Closures in 2026:
New Year's Day - January 1st
Presidents' Day - February 16th
Easter - April 5th
Memorial Day - May 25th
Independence Day - July 4th
Labor Day - September 7th
Veteran's Day - November 11th
Thanksgiving Day - November 27th
Christmas Eve Day - December 24th
Christmas Day - December 25th
New Year's Eve - December 31st
Please check here for closures or reduced services due to inclement weather, hazardous road and State of Emergency conditions. WOTA Closings can also be found on our Facebook page and by calling the office at (248) 887-4979.
WOTA does not automatically close when the area schools are closed.