Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency

What Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency does

Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA) is a public transportation agency formed under Michigan Act 7 in January 2000 to provide curb-to-curb, demand-response transit services within Shiawassee County, Michigan, with out-of-county medical, educational, employment, and training transportation for seniors and ADA-disabled residents. The agency was created through a consolidation of vehicles from the cities of Owosso, Corunna, Perry, and Durand, together with the Shiawassee Regional Educational Service District. Headquartered at 180 N. Delaney Road, Owosso, SATA operates two service arms: the SATA Dial-A-Ride Bus Service and its Transportation Solutions Division (TSD), which uses volunteer drivers and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for door-to-door service available 24/7 contingent on volunteer availability. The two arms share an integrated dispatching system providing a unified rider, stops, and trip database.

SATA serves a defined set of county residents — primarily seniors aged 60+, persons with ADA-defined disabilities, and veterans — alongside general public riders needing medical, social-service, employment, or training transportation. The agency is funded through a hybrid model combining voter-approved property millages from 11 participating cities and townships (5 cities plus 6 townships), Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Specialized Transportation Services grant funding (which supports free weekday rides for Shiawassee Council on Aging seniors between 9am and 6pm), per-trip passenger fares ranging from $1.50 to $75.00 by zone and participant status, and Medicaid transportation partner relationships with McLaren Health Plan and Memorial Healthcare. Vernon Township voted to discontinue funding effective October 1, 2026. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors with representation from each participating municipality and SRESD, currently chaired by Jill Redmond.

The agency's technology footprint is modest: integrated dispatching software between SATA and TSD, phone-based scheduling (main line 989-729-2687), and a Wix-hosted website (satabus.org) as its primary information channel. There is no mobile application, no disclosed API, and no AI/ML capabilities. The operating model is direct-to-consumer with no intermediaries — riders book by phone the day prior (or day-of for non-participating units), and services are delivered curb-to-curb by SATA-employed drivers or TSD volunteer drivers.

Name

Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency

Legal name

Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency

Website

https://satabus.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation Services

NAICS

Special Needs Transportation (485991)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Senior & Assisted-Living Demand-Responsive Transport (THAIAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

ADA/Accessible Paratransit (Complementary to Fixed-Route Transit) (THAIAHAA), Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) & Stretcher Transport Services (TLAFAKAC), Long-Distance & Intercity Senior Transport (HSABAOAH)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Demand response transportation
• Paratransit services
• Senior transportation
• County transit agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Owosso, Michigan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Transportation Millage: Voter-approved millage taxes collected by participating local governmental units (cities and townships) that contribute general funds to support SATA operations. Recent renewal: Caledonia Township August 2020 with 69.94% voter approval (847 Yes to 364 No).
2. Passenger Fares: Per-trip fares charged to riders. Participating unit residents receive subsidized rates; non-participating residents pay regular fares ranging from $1.50 to $9.00 within county, higher rates for out-of-county trips.
3. MDOT Grant Funding: Grant funding from Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Specialized Transportation Services program supports senior transportation services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency provides curb-to-curb demand-response public transportation within Shiawassee County, Michigan, primarily for seniors (60+), persons with disabilities, and veterans. Its Transportation Solutions Division extends out-of-county transportation for medical, educational, employment, and training appointments via volunteer drivers and accessible vehicles. Services are funded through voter-approved millage taxes from participating governmental units, MDOT Specialized Transportation Services grants, and per-trip passenger fares with subsidized rates for participating-unit residents.

Product overview

Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA) operates a unified public transportation system for Shiawassee County, Michigan, offering two complementary service tiers: the core SATA Dial-A-Ride Bus Service providing curb-to-curb demand-response public transit within the county, and the Transportation Solutions Division (TSD) offering specialized transportation for seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and volunteer drivers. A free senior rides program operated in partnership with SCOA provides complimentary weekday transportation for residents aged 60 and older.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SATA Dial-A-Ride Bus Service Public curb-to-curb demand-response transportation service operating within Shiawassee County, Michigan, providing rides to medical appointments, social services, grocery stores, pharmacies, schools, and other destinations for county residents. Available to all residents, with priority and subsidized fares for participating governmental unit members.
• Transportation Solutions Division (TSD) A division of SATA providing specialized transportation for medical appointments, employment, and training beyond the standard dial-a-ride service, using volunteer drivers with personal vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for seniors (60+), persons with disabilities, and veterans. Service is available 24/7, 365 days/year contingent on volunteer driver availability, and 70% or more of ridership must be persons with disabilities, seniors, and/or veterans per MDOT requirements.
• Free Senior Rides Program (SCOA–SATA Agreement) Free curb-to-curb rides for Shiawassee County seniors aged 60 and older, provided Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm through an agreement between SCOA (Shiawassee Council on Aging) and SATA. Riders must contact SATA the day prior to schedule a pickup; if unable to schedule with SATA, seniors may qualify for Transportation Solutions volunteer-driver service for medical appointments, including out-of-county trips.

Quantifiable outcome

• SCOA seniors receive FREE rides Monday through Friday from 9:00am-6:00pm
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Shiawassee Regional Educational Service District (SRESD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000One of the founding partners when SATA was formed under Act 7 in January 2000. Contributed vehicles from multiple private and public agencies during consolidation.
• Shiawassee Council on Aging (SCOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCOA has an agreement with SATA to provide Shiawassee Seniors with FREE rides Monday through Friday from 9:00am-6:00pm, funded through MDOT grant.
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)coreOthersMDOT Specialized Transportation Services grant funds senior transportation services. Also provides oversight and funding through mobility management programs.
• McLaren Medicaid (McLaren Health Plan)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedicaid transportation partner providing coverage for Medicaid recipients needing non-emergency medical transportation services.
• The ARC of Mid-MichiganmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability services organization partnering with SATA for transportation services for individuals with developmental and other disabilities.
• Shiawassee Health & WellnessmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing transportation coordination for health and wellness appointments.
• Shiawassee Department of Veterans' AffairsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans' affairs partner providing transportation services for veterans to VA appointments and related services.
• Valley Area on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for My Choice Waiver program and Retired Senior Volunteer Program services.
• Michigan Rehabilitation ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState vocational rehabilitation agency partner for employment and training transportation services.
• Shiawassee County Department of Health and Human ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty agency partner for transportation services for DHHS clients.
• Memorial HealthcaremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partner for patient transportation services to medical appointments.
• Looking Glass Community OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity outreach organization partner for transportation services.
• Respite Volunteers of ShiawasseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization partner supporting transportation services.
• Participating Local Governmental UnitscoreOthersCities of Corunna, Durand, Laingsburg, Owosso, Perry and Townships of Bennington, Caledonia, Owosso, Shiawassee, Venice, and Vernon contribute general funds to SATA through voter-approved millages. Vernon Township voted to discontinue funding effective October 1, 2026.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS): STARS provides public transit in Saginaw County, Michigan, and is listed in SATA's out-of-county Zone 1 service area. Comparable demand-response and senior transportation services for a similar mid-Michigan demographic.
• Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA): CATA is the public transit provider for the Lansing metropolitan area (Ingham County), which is a SATA out-of-county Zone 1 destination. Operates a broader fixed-route and paratransit network with similar MDOT funding sources.
• Gratiot County Public Transportation: Gratiot County Public Transportation is a neighboring rural Michigan transit agency in SATA's Zone 1 service area. Comparable county-level demand-response service with aligned senior and disabled ridership focus.
• Bay Metro Transit Authority: Bay Metro Transit Authority provides public transit services in Bay County, Michigan, a similarly sized rural Michigan county adjacent to SATA's service area. Operates demand-response and fixed-route services with comparable funding structures from millages and state grants.
• Blue Water Area Transit: Blue Water Area Transit operates public transportation in St. Clair County, Michigan, a small/medium Michigan county with comparable rural-suburban demographics and demand-response service offerings.
• Clinton Transit: Clinton Transit provides public transportation in Clinton County, Michigan, a neighboring county in SATA's Zone 1 out-of-county service area. Comparable small-scale rural transit agency with similar funding model.

Regional players

• Indian Trails (Michigan): Indian Trails is a regional intercity bus carrier serving Michigan with routes that connect rural populations to urban centers, including counties where SATA operates. Comparable passenger transportation model with broader geographic reach.
• Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART): SMART provides public transit in the Detroit metro area (Macomb, Oakland, Wayne counties), which are SATA Zone 2 out-of-county destinations. Comparable public transit model with broader service portfolio.

Emerging players

• Lyft Healthcare: Lyft Healthcare provides on-demand NEMT services through a digital platform, partnering with Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Comparable special-needs and senior transportation service delivered through a tech-enabled model that competes for the same Medicaid healthcare partnerships SATA serves.

Broad incumbents

• Modivcare (formerly Logisticare): Modivcare is a national NEMT broker and services provider that manages Medicaid transportation across many states, including Michigan. Comparable role in serving Medicaid and special-needs riders analogous to SATA's McLaren Medicaid partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shiawassee-area-transportation-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency