RideMICRO

Flexible service connecting portions of Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover Counties.

Three phones showing the RideMICRO app. The first phone is the 'Book Your Ride' screen and shows options for paying with cash and if you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle. The second phone shows the vehicle moving on a map, allowing you to track when it will arrive. The third phone shows the 'Active Trip' screen with your arrival time and location address.

What is RideMICRO?

RideMICRO, is a point-to-point service available to anyone traveling within the designated service network! It is a rideshare service offered in smaller vehicles. Passengers schedule rides rather than waiting for a bus on a fixed schedule.

Passengers can book an on-demand ride from a ‘virtual stop’ within a RideMICRO ‘zone’ and be connected to Wave Transit’s fixed-route service or brought to their destination. 
This new transportation offering provides greater flexibility, decreased wait times, and increased stop locations than a traditional fixed-route bus.

Vector image of a RideMICRO van - a white 14-passenger van with a bright blue wrap covering the back half of the vehicle.

 

 

 

Book. Pay. Ride

Hours of Operation:

Regional Zones 1 & 2
Weekdays:
AM – 6:30am to 10:00am
PM – 12:00pm to 7:00pm

Local Zones 3 & 4
Weekdays: 6:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Schedule your ride:

Download the RideMICRO app on Google Play and the App Store.
Call toll-free: 1-844-764-1223
Reserve your ride online

Pay for your Ride:

Option 1: Pay using a debit or credit card inside the app
Option 2: Pay with exact change upon boarding
Option 3: Purchase a ticket from Forden Station or Padgett Station

The Pilot Program

RideMICRO is a pilot program nearing the end of its first year. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) funded the project at 100% to support innovation in public transportation and allow Wave Transit to be among the first to build and test a regional microtransit program in the state. The program has seen growing pains and successes. Here’s how it’s going…

  • 1,261 increase in monthly ridership since launch
  • Cost per passenger decreased 85% since launch
  • 800% increase in daily passengers since launch – 225% of 800% since April when we added the fourth zone and vehicle
  • Regional and local connectivity achieved
  • New RideMICRO booking app was developed and successfully launched
  • First of Wave Transit’s services to offer online fare payment

RideMICRO is seeing consistent growth as the state-funded pilot continues to develop. The four zones rolled out in phases and ridership spiked following the launch of each zone. August RideMICRO ridership exploded with that single month seeing ridership nearly totaling that of last fiscal year. Our community and passengers are our biggest supporters. Changes to the program are frequently the result of passenger feedback. NCDOT’s funding for this pilot created the opportunity for passengers and staff to build a service they want to use without having to borrow from general operating funds.

Service Zone Maps

Click within the zone to view its map.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RideMICRO

RideMICRO is a Wave Transit microtransit service. Microtransit is an alternative transportation offering that resembles a rideshare or carpool rather than a fixed-route bus. Microtransit programs typically operate with cars, vans or shuttles and offer greater flexibility for people on-the-go. RideMICRO is an on-demand, point-to-point service open to anyone travelling within the defined service area. The service is wheelchair accessible with no restrictions on trip purpose.

Where can I RideMICRO?

To more than 3,000 virtual stops in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties!

There are four RideMICRO transportation ‘zones’ in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties. We reach as far north as Hampstead and as South as the Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal! Please view our interactive map to see all available stops.

How do I schedule a ride?

Passengers can book a ride through the RideMICRO app, available on Google Play and the App Store, by using the online form, or by calling the toll-free number and speaking with a RideMICRO dispatcher.

Toll-Free Number: 1-844-764-1223
Use the Online Form

If you book your ride by phone or the online form, a call center representative will contact you between the hours of 7:00 am to 10:00 am & 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm to confirm your reservation. Reservations must be made no less than one hour prior to your trip and can be made up to one week in advance of your trip. Advanced reservations are recommended and reoccurring trips can be scheduled in the system.

You have the option to schedule your ride one week in advance or up to one hour before your trip; however, advance reservation is encouraged. Last minute reservations may not be accepted.

How much does it cost?

All RideMICRO trips are $2. Passengers can pay for their trip in the RideMICRO App using a debit or credit card, with cash (exact change) upon boarding, or purchase a pass ahead of time at a Wave Transit transfer station.

Passes are available for purchase at Forden Station, Located at 505 Cando St., Wilmington, NC 28405; and Padgett Station, located at 520 N 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401; Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm.

No Reduced Fare pricing is available for RideMICRO.

 

What are the hours of operation?

Hours of Operation:

Regional Zones 1 & 2
Weekdays:
AM – 6:30am to 10:00am
PM – 12:00pm to 7:00pm

Local Zones 3 & 4
Weekdays: 6:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Interruptions to service will be reported under ‘Service Alert’s on our homepage.

What COVID safety measures are in place?

Riders are encouraged to wear masks while using public transportation.

All RideMICRO vehicles are cleaned, fueled and checked as part of standard daily operations. In response to COVID-19, additional safety protocol are in place including:

  • spraying and wiping all bus areas with commercial disinfecting spray;
  • spraying and wiping door handles, all areas and surfaces throughout transit van multiple times a day with commercial disinfecting spray;
  • providing hand sanitizer for operators and customers
How will I know when my ride is on the way? Can I track it?

Download the RideMICRO app to track your ride! App users will be able to watch their vehicle as it drives to meet them and are given an estimated time of arrival.

Can I bring my child?

Yes, you may bring your child. Please indicate in your reservation that you will be traveling with a child.
Children 4 years old and younger travel free with a fare paying adult – up to 3 fare-free children per fare paying adult.

Customers traveling with a child who needs a car seat must provide their own approved car seat or booster seat.  The customer must install the car seat and remove it from the vehicle at the end of their trip. RideMICRO operators are not permitted to touch or install car seats.

Please refer to car seat guidance from the Department of Transportation:

  • Children younger than age 8 and who weigh less than 80 pounds must be properly secured in a child restraint or booster seat.
  • Children less than age 5 and less than 40 pounds must be in the rear seat if the vehicle has an active passenger-side front air bag and a rear seat.
  • When a child reaches age 8 (regardless of weight) or 80 pounds (regardless of age), a correctly fitted seat belt may be used instead of a child restraint or booster seat. Placing the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back is both illegal and unsafe.
  • Booster seats must not be used with just a lap belt, so lap-only seat belts can be used for children over 40 pounds if no lap and shoulder seat belt is available
What are the rules and regulations?

The same regulations apply for RideMICRO as they do for the buses and shuttles; these include but are not limited to the following: no eating or drinking, no open containers of alcohol, no smoking or vaping, no weapons, and no pets. Service dogs are allowed on RideMICRO.