Wave Services

 

Seahawk Shuttle

The Seahawk Shuttle, in operation since 1997, was initially implemented to transport UNCW students who live within one mile of the campus to the University. Currently, the shuttle transports students and employees throughout the campus and surrounding areas. The existence of the shuttle helps decrease traffic and makes movement within the campus safer and more efficient. The shuttle has decreased the need for additional surface parking at the university, thereby maintaining precious green space areas.

Students and employees of UNCW are eligible to ride all Wave Transit buses for free by simply showing a valid student or employee UNSea card.

With the 2003-2004 fall semester, UNCW and Wave Transit began offering a new Park and Ride service. The Park and Ride lot is located across College Road at the intersections of Hurst/Hoggard and St. James Drives (by the old cinema). This lot added more than 300 spaces to ease the parking congestion.

Free Downtown Trolley
Mission Statement - "Providing guests, residents, students and workers with safe, reliable and convenient transportation to the exciting attractions and business in downtown Wilmington."

Take a leisurely tour through historic downtown Wilmington on the Downtown Trolley. Stroll through history, enjoy fine cuisine or shop at some of the finest stores on the East coast, all without having to move your car.

The Trolley serves the City and County parking decks, City Hall, Thalian Hall, the New Hanover County Courthouse, Cape Fear Community College, and many shops and restaurants on Front and Water Streets. Passengers can board the trolley at any intersection or by waving to the driver. For safety purposes, Wave Transit encourages passengers to board at intersections, but with slower moving traffic, especially on Front Street, hailing the trolley is perfectly safe.

Trolley operators are happy to assist passengers and answer questions, but unfortunately they are not tour guides. Their main responsibility is to drive the trolley. High volumes of pedestrian and slow moving vehicle traffic require concentration and it is important that the operator be allowed to concentrate on operating the vehicle in the safest, most professional manner possible.

Next time your in the downtown area, relax and let us do the driving. You can help make the downtown a better place to live, work and breathe easier, without the hassles of traffic and parking.

There is no charge to ride the trolley, and operators are prohibited from accepting gratuities. Enjoy the ride.

Rack-n-Ride
In support of alternative forms of transportation, the entire Wave fleet is equipped with bicycle racks. The racks fold down for easy use and access.

The bike racks carry two bicycles and feature independent loading.

Best of all, there is no additional charge for your bicycle. If you don't live close enough to walk to a Wave stop, take your bike along with the confidence that it will arrive at your final destination as safely as you do. Want more information? Click on the links below.

Bike Advocacy Links:

Paratransit Services
Wave Transit is responsive to the mobility needs of citizens of the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County. We encourage individuals with disabilities to take advantage of the independence and flexibility that is provided by our transit system. Both seniors and individuals with disabilities can ride for a reduced fare, and please be aware that service animals are allowed on all Wave vehicles. Below is a description of the Paratransit services offered by Wave Transit. 

 

Dial-a-Ride Transportation (DART)

What is DART?

DART or Dial-a-Ride Transportation is a Wave van specially equipped with a wheelchair lift and restraints for standardized wheelchairs. Each van can accommodate both wheelchairs and semi-ambulatory passengers.

DART provides curb-to-curb service. No assistants or aides are provided by the Wave. Passengers may be accompanied by a personal care attendant at no additional charge.

Fares are $2.00 per person each way.

Hours of service Monday through Saturday from 6:00 am - 8:00 pm and Sunday from 9:30 am - 6:00pm.

Who is Eligible for DART?

The DART service is available to those individuals whose disability prevents them from independently boarding an accessible fixed route bus (with the driver operating the lift) and/or prevents them from getting to or from a boarding location.
The Wave has developed an application that will be used in determining eligibility for the DART program. To download an application, click here. To obtain an application via mail or fax, call the Wave office at 343-0106. Completed applications can be mailed to the Wave Transit P.O. Box 2258 Wilmington, NC 28402-2258, or faxed to (910) 343-8317.

DART Appointments

Once you have been approved for the DART program, trips can be scheduled by calling the Wave DART reservation line at 343-0106.

Please Note: DART is not an emergency ambulance service and drivers are not trained to handle medical problems. The operators will assist you on and off the wheel chair lift and will secure your standard wheel chair once on the bus. Since drivers can not leave the bus they will not be able to assist you into buildings.
DART operators cannot make change. You must have exact fare and pay at the start of each trip.

DART vans can only wait five minutes for you. If you are not ready by then, the DART van will have no choice but to move on to the next pick up. This is done in an effort to schedule DART passengers in the most efficient way possible.

Wave does not provide attendants. If you require additional assistance, you must provide your own attendant. Attendants may ride free of charge.

DART operators are professionally trained in Passenger Assistance Techniques, by a trained instructor. PAT is a program by Transportation Management Associates designed to train professional operators on transporting the disabled.

DART Information

(910) 343-0106 Telephone
(910) 763-9011 Telecommunication Display Device (TDD)
(910) 343-8317 Fax

 

Travel Training

Travel training prepares people with disabilities to travel safely and independently throughout the fixed route system. Specially trained personnel from different agencies will work with the individual to teach them the skills needed to follow a particular route in the safest, most direct manner.

Links to travel training partners:

Taxi Voucher Program for the Visually Impaired
To meet the growing transportation demand for the visually impaired, Wave Transit implemented a taxi voucher program. Launched in 1996, the program allows qualified individuals to use local taxicabs for their public transportation needs at a subsidized rate of $2.00 each way. An application and additional information can be obtained by calling the local Social Worker for the Blind at (910) 251-5743. This program serves as an example of the Wave's commitment not just to public transportation, but to providing quality public transportation solutions.

 

Charter Service

Pursuant to 49 CFR §5323(d), Wave Transit does not offer charter bus service.  Please refer to the Wilmington Yellow Pages phone directory under the classification "Buses-Charter & Rental" for a listing of charter providers.