Oakland West Center - Oakland University-十大菠菜台子

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Transportation

The transportation options are private car or public transportation through SMART FLEX.

Two Options for Transportation using SmartFlex Bus Pass Between OU Main Campus/Oakland West Center

Use the SmartFlex ride option using the SmartFlex app
Use the Smart Fixed Route Bus # 796

Click on the link below for times the 796 will stop at both OU Main campus and Oakland West Center:
http://www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules

DIRECTIONS for riding SMART Fixed Route bus from OU’s Main campus to OU’s West Center:

Be at the bus stop about 5 minutes prior to the expected bus arrival
Look for the 796 Eastbound bus and the sign at the top of the bus will read:
- “EASTBOUND 796 TO CENTERPOINT & OPDYKE VIA OU WEST CENTER”
If the bus says 790, do not get on as this bus does not go to West Center

DIRECTIONS for riding SMART Fixed Route bus from OU’s West Center to OU’s Main campus:

Be at the bus stop about 5 minutes prior to the expected bus arrival
Look for the 796 Westbound bus and the sign at the top of the bus will read:
- “WESTBOUND 796 TO PHOENIX CENTER VIA OU MAIN CAMPUS”
If the bus says 790, do not get on as this bus does not go to West Center.

796 route is the only route that has a stop at both West Center and Main campus. The 796 bus will stop at these two locations as well as the other stops on its route. If you have any question about whether you are boarding the right bus, ASK THE BUS DRIVER.

Another route, 790, also uses the stop at OU’s Main campus but does NOT go to OU’s West Center, so students should not get on a bus with 790 in the sign at Main campus if they want to get to West Center.

The Bus Tracker feature on the SMART website is not working therefore students should download the green TRANSIT app to track their bus.

Students can pick up a 31 Day pass that can be used on SMART Flex and the SMART fixed route bus at the SMTD office (207 Varner) during office hours, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday through April 30, 2023. After this date, it is not guaranteed that Oakland University will provide complimentary bus passes.

Beginning November 1, 2022 students will need to activate their bus passes:

If a student is riding the bus and wants to use a pass that has not been activated, they simply insert the inactivated card into the card reader and the card is automatically activated.
If the student wants to use their pass to ride SMART Flex, they will need to activate the pass prior to booking their ride. To do this, the student must board a SMART fixed route bus, insert the pass into the card reader and it will be activated. Then the student can get off the bus and book their ride on SMART Flex or stay on and ride the bus. This activation only needs to happen at the beginning of each 31 day cycle.

Bus passes are good for 31 days after the date of activation.

If a student picks up their pass on November 1st and boards a bus on November 2nd and inserts the pass in the card reader, therefore activating that card, then that pass is good until December 2nd.
If a student picks up their pass on November 1st but does not board a bus to activate the pass until November 15th and inserts the pass in the card reader therefore activating that pass, then that pass is good until December 15th.

If there are concerns about transportation, please contact the Provost’s Office at banesber@oakland.edu.

FAQS about SMART Flex:

Can I book rides without a smartphone?
Yes. Call (734) 212-8429.

Why am I being asked to walk to my pickup spot?
SMART Flex may pair riders heading in the same direction, meaning passengers might be getting picked up and dropped off throughout your ride. In order to keep things moving as quickly and efficiently as possible, they may ask you to meet them at a nearby corner instead of right outside the address you entered. That way, the driver doesn’t have to make any detours that could slow things down.

How do I know where to meet my driver?
After you book a ride, the app will display your pickup spot — SMART Flex will either give you an address or business name of your pickup spot to help you find it. Either way, there will always be a dotted line to show you how to get there!

Can I bring someone along with me?
You can bring up to two additional passengers. Each additional passenger costs $2 each.

Can I book a ride in advance?
SMART Flex works on demand, so they don’t take advance bookings. Book your ride shortly before you’re ready to leave, average wait times range between 5-30 minutes. You can book a ride up to an hour in advance. Using the app is the best way to book your ride. Set a reminder to reserve your ride back to campus between classes.

What happens if I cancel my ride?
If you cancel a ride within one minute after booking, SMART Flex will waive the cost of the cancellation. Otherwise, they will charge you $1. If the driver cannot locate you after the 2-minute waiting period, you’ll be charged a no-show price of $1.

What do I do if my driver left without me?
You should re-book your ride directly in your app and then send an email explaining what happened to support-smart@ridewithvia.com. You won’t be charged for this ride.

What do the vehicles look like?
All vehicles are branded with SMART Flex’s logo and colors, so they are easy to spot.

Are vehicles wheelchair accessible?
Yes, you can inform SMART Flex that you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) when you book your ride. Do this by tapping your profile picture or image at the top of the app menu and then tap the Wheelchair toggle to turn it on.

Can I change my destination once I’m on board?
Once you start a ride, the destination cannot be changed. If you have not yet boarded the vehicle and you want to change your destination, then you cancel the ride and re-book with the new destination right away.

Can I set a favorite location in the app?
Yes. To do this simply tap the Favorites tab in the app menu. Then tap Set Home Address or Set Work Address and type in the address of your preferred location.

Can I leave feedback for my driver?
Feel free to fill out the feedback screen in the app after your ride.

How do I reset my password?
Open the app and select Log me in. In the password box, select Forgot your password? and follow the prompts.

I left something in the vehicle — how do I retrieve it?
Email SMART Flex at support-smart@ridewithvia.com and include a description of the item.