If your day starts at 8:00am and ends at 5:00pm you have many commuting options available to you – taking the bus being one of them. That’s why a go!pass is so useful—if you work during the day, you can take the bus to work for free and never have to pay for parking.

But what if your workday starts at 5:00am? Or ends at 1:00am? If you commute when the buses aren’t running, what other options do you have?

Walk. If you live within a couple of miles of your job, walking is always an option. If the weather turns from pleasant to rainy (or snowy!) during your shift, you could be facing an unpleasant walk home. If you stay longer than planned and are uncomfortable walking at a late hour, what can you do?

Drive. Parking can be an expensive option if your employer doesn’t provide you with a parking space. Then there’s the additional cost of gas. There are more affordable permit options: the DDA sells a Limited Monthly Parking Permit to people who need to park between 3:00pm and 9:00am for $30/month.  (Contact the DDA for more details.)

If you are an evening employee who has been taking advantage of the free on-street parking after 6:00pm, you might have heard enforcement hours could be changing.  There is a service that can help those who can ride the bus to work (but not home), those who walk and those who might be losing their free on-street parking spots…Night Ride.

Night Ride. Night Ride is a shared-ride taxi service run by the AATA and it costs just $1 (with a go!pass or $5 without). How does it work?

• If you get out of work at midnight, or at 5:00am, the buses won’t be running, but Night Ride will be. Night Ride runs: 11:00pm – 6:00am (M-F), 7:00pm – 7:30am (S&S).
• Call 734-528-5432 and within an average of 20 minutes (range is between 15-40 minutes) you can be in a cab. Don’t worry about being out in the cold; you can wait indoors for the cab as long as you are in a spot where you can see it when it arrives.
• Trips must stay within the Ann Arbor city limits. If you don’t live in Ann Arbor, can use Night Ride to get you to and from the conveniently located Park & Ride lots.
• Its safe, reliable and just $1. It is a shared service, meaning you may share your ride home with another night-owl or you may have the cab to yourself.

Keep this in mind: Night Ride is a bargain. Even if you found a free parking spot on the street, gas for your trip to and home from work will be more than $1.

Downtown restaurants that I’ve talked to love this service, and each month the ridership has increased. In August 2009 the number of rides from go!passes holders was 70; by November 2009 it was up to 310!

If you are a downtown business owner, manager or employee and you want more information, getDowntown can provide you with some Night Ride cards. These cards are available in both English and Spanish. They’re the perfect size for your wallet and detail the hours of operation and the number to call. If your company is interested in go!passes, give us a call at 214-0100.

From the AATA:

“If high snow blocks your stop, please stand in the nearest driveway and signal your bus driver. Do not wait in the street!”

One of the great things about working in downtown Ann Arbor is that great restaurants are around every corner.  There’s no need to get into your car to get a tasty lunch.

So why not grab a group of co-workers and sample some of the yummy offerings during Ann Arbor Restaurant Week?

Restaurant Week runs from Jan 17th-22nd.  Click here to check out the menus.