Ann Arbor, Mich. residents can now take one of 12 trips offered daily by the new AirRide public transportation service to Detroit Metro Airport. The convenient service to or from the airport will be offered at an introductory price of $10 each way with advance reservation through July 30.

“Ann Arbor residents have been asking for a public transportation option between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro Airport for several years,” Michael Ford, CEO of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide), said at a celebration ceremony. “We’re proud to finally bring this service to Ann Arbor residents and we’re grateful for our partners’ help in making it happen.”

AirRide is a public-private partnership between TheRide, Michigan Flyer, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The organizations celebrated their partnership at the Kensington Court hotel, one of the three stops in Ann Arbor that will be served by AirRide.

Bus stops for the service in Ann Arbor include 12 stops daily at the Blake Transit Center and Kensington Court Hotel and four stops daily at the University of Michigan Central Campus Transit Center. At the airport, AirRide offers bus stops at both the McNamara and North terminals. The buses feature comfortable seating, wireless internet and restroom amenities.

Because AirRide is a public-private partnership, it also saves taxpayer dollars. While the total cost of the new service is $1.2 million, state operating assistance, passenger fares and private contractor contributions bring TheRide’s direct annual cost for the service to $303,400.