Public transit expands access to Ottawa County Fillmore Campus

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Harbor Transit will begin offering free rides to the Ottawa County Fillmore Campus in West Olive starting July 1, addressing a transportation gap for residents who need access to government services and court appointments.

The pilot program will run for two years, providing rides during regular service hours: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents can schedule rides through the Lakeshore Go mobile or desktop app, or by calling Harbor Transit at 616-842-3200.

For the first six months of the program, Harbor Transit will offer free rides to and from the Fillmore Campus, through Dec. 31, 2026.

The service extension comes as Ottawa County has consolidated several offices at the Fillmore Campus. The Family Division of the 20th Circuit Court relocated to the Family Justice Center on the campus, along with Juvenile Court Services, Friend of the Court, the Legal Self-Help Center and Circuit Court Records. These offices were previously housed at the Grand Haven Courthouse within Harbor Transit’s existing service area.

Veterans Services will also move from Holland to the Fillmore Campus later this summer.

“Prior to this service extension, residents needing to travel to the Fillmore Campus for critical appointments had no access to public transportation, creating a significant barrier for individuals without reliable personal transportation,” said Scott Borg, executive director at Harbor Transit. “This extension ensures that all residents have the opportunity to utilize public transit services to access essential appointments and reach their destinations safely and reliably.”

The campus also houses the Juvenile Detention Center, Jail, Sheriff’s Office, Clerk/Register of Deeds, Treasurer and other county services. All Harbor Transit vehicles are ADA accessible. The service is limited to the Fillmore Campus only and does not include trips to other locations in West Olive.

Ottawa County Board Chair Josh Brugger said the pilot program helps maintain connections for residents as services relocate.

“For many Northwest Ottawa County area residents, Harbor Transit is an important connection to work, appointments, and public services,” he said. “As many County services shift to the Fillmore Campus, this pilot helps make sure residents still have a reliable way to reach the help they need.”