Dial-A-Ride: (616) 527-4000

Meet the Director of Transportation

Heidi Wenzel was appointed Director of Transportation for the City of Ionia on November 6, 2013. Prior to her appointment, she was a member of the City finance department.

Education
Heidi graduated from Belding High School, received her Marketing/Management Bachelor's degree from Hillsdale College, and her Masters of Business Administration in Finance through Davenport University.

Current Responsibilities
The Department of Transportation I-DART Dial-A-Ride services the City of Ionia and South business district, providing a reserved and on-demand response. As the director, Heidi oversees daily operations as well as manages the budget, grants, and reporting requirements through the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Hours
Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m - 12:45 p.m.

Contact Heidi Wenzel
Phone (616) 523-0144 (Direct Line)
Fax (616) 523-0178
Email: hwenzel@ci.ionia.mi.us

Service Priority

Priority 1 - Daily Time Calls
Rides reserved for the same passenger, same time, and same origin.

Priority 2 - 24 Hour Calls
Rides reserved 24 hours in advance.

Priority 3 - Reserved Rides
Rides reserved at least one hour in advance.

Priority 4 - On Demand
Rides reserved less than one hour in advance.

It is the policy of Ionia Area Dial-A-Ride to make sure that the needs of Wheelchair, Daily Time Calls, 24 Hour, And Reserved Rides be fully administered before addressing the needs of the Priority 4, On Demand passenger calls.

Rules for Riding on Public Transportation

Our goal is to provide safety, comfort and satisfaction for our customers. In order to better serve you, we ask that you adhere to the rules and regulations set forth for using the City of Ionia Public Transportation System. If you have questions or comments, please call (616) 527-4000. We hope your trip is a pleasant one.

Ionia Dial-A-Ride (I-DART) Rules Are As Follows:

• All service animals are allowed on vehicles with passengers. Animals not used as an ADA service animal are permitted only if the animal is transported in a suitable carrier. The carrier must be placed in the passenger's lap to secure the carrier. Please read our Service Animal Policy (download below).
• Carry on bags are limited to four bags, two placed on your lap and two on the floor between your feet.
• Do not stand forward of the yellow line indicated on the floor of I-DART vehicles.
• Drivers do not carry change and credit for future rides is not provided.
• Remain seated until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
• Shoes and shirts are required.
• Please read our Portable Oxygen Tank and Respirator Policy (download below).

The Following Are Prohibited On I-DART Vehicles:

• Use of radios, CD players, or other sound-producing devices without the use of personal headphones
• Bicycles
• Eating, drinking, or smoking
• Explosive materials
• Firearms or weapons of any kind
• Possession or use of alcohol or illegal substances
• Wearing Skates
• Any act prohibited by law

Disruptive Behavior, Including, But Not Limited To Are Prohibited On I-Dart Vehicles:

• Any actions which may interfere with or disrupt the operators or customers
• Fighting, mock fighting, or roughhousing
• Obscene, threatening, inciting, or insulting language or gestures
• Running, yelling, or throwing objects
• Spitting, littering, picking trash from receptacles
• Standing, sitting or walking in a way that inconveniences, obstructs or interferes with others (for example, blocking doors, feet on seats, etc.)
• Vandalism or graffiti

Non-compliance of the preceding rules may result in the passenger not being allowed to utilize I-DART, a Public Transportation System.

I-DART services are provided in accordance with Title VI, without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, or other prohibited basis. Read I-DART's: Title VI statement (download below).

I-Dart services are provided in accordance with ADA standards. Read I-DART's ADA Policy (download below).

Download a File:
Service Animal Policy
Portable Oxygen Tank and Respirator Policy
Title VI Statement
ADA Complaint Policy (PDF)
Passenger Rights and Responsibilites

No Show Policy

No Show
Scheduling a ride and then not boarding the bus after the driver 1) stops, 2) waits for two minutes after arriving at the pickup location, and 3) honks several times during the two-minute waiting period.
EXPECTATIONS
Cancel a scheduled ride, whether same day or reoccurring, within 30 minutes of your scheduled pickup time by calling into Dispatch at 616-527-4000 option 1.
If you call for a same day pick up that is scheduled within the 30 minute time frame and you cancel prior to the driver being in route to the pickup, you will not be considered a no show.
COMPLIANCE
If a rider is a no show:

1. 1^st no show the rider will be reminded to please notify dispatch of cancelations at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled pick up.
2. 2^nd no show the rider will be reminded to please notify dispatch of cancelations at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled pick up.
3. 3^rd no show the rider will be taken off the reoccurring schedule for two weeks.
4. 5^th no show the rider will only be allowed to schedule same day trips.
5. 7^th no show the rider will be suspended for 1 week.
6. 8^th no show the rider will be suspended for 2 weeks.
7. Subsequent no shows will be addressed by the Director.

Appealing No Show & Suspensions
Contact Ionia Dial-A-Ride Director in writing to appeal a no show record and/or suspension. Mail appeals to: Ionia Dial-A-Ride, Attention: Director, 251 E Adams St, Ionia, MI 48846. Or email to: hwenzel@ci.ionia.mi.us

Download a File:
No Show Policy Document (PDF)

Student Transportation

Affordable and safe student transportation, convenience for families, multi-year recipient for "Award of Excellence for Vehicle Maintenance" presented by Michigan Department of Transportation.

Ionia Dial-A-Ride policies and procedures help to ensure children's safety. We have professional and trained drivers.

I-DART is a public transportation system and provides open door transportation to the general public. Routes and riders are scheduled according to efficiency. Please remember that IDART cannot designate a route specifically for student riders only.

Was There a Problem With Our Service?

We want to continually improve our Dial-A-Ride services so that we can better serve you and the community. If you experienced a problem with Dial-A-Ride, please let us know. Download complaint forms here, and then return them to our office.

Download a File:
ADA Complaint Policy
Customer Complaint Form