DATA tells JN Taxi riders about transport options in Delta County

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) - We have an update to Delta County travel as the Delta Area Transit Authority says there’s no quick fix for the loss of JN Taxi.

On May 2nd, TV6 reported JN Taxi planned to close its doors this month. It was the only taxi service in Delta County.

The company stopped operations this past weekend.

Today, DATA answered questions from worried riders at its first community listening session. Concerns included work, weekend and hospital transportation.

DATA Executive Director John Stapleton told attendees he planned to work with OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group in Escanaba to set up a patient transport contract, like the one DATA has with Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique.

The open forum included other transportation providers like Uber, Get-a-cab and Marquette’s Checker Transport, which said they currently only provide airport service in Delta County.

“We’ve really struggled with state appropriation of funds for transportation. But also, we knew that we also couldn’t fill gaps 24/7,” Stapleton said. “We were pleasantly surprised to see some other people that were looking at filling some of those gaps.”

Several former JN Taxi riders asked the other providers if they could accommodate mobility-challenged people. The answer was Uber cannot; Checkers can but the rider has to reserve a special bus, which costs a lot more; and Get-a-cab can, but right now the company only services Iron Mountain and Menominee.

Stapleton says DATA will not be able to expand services until next year. And that’s only if a county-wide millage planned for the August 2026 election passes.

Checker Transport and Get-a-Cab say they’re looking at profitability margins and what it would take to open a location in Escanaba.

To arrange rides with DATA, call (906) 786-1186 and speak to Mobility Manager Amy Fudala or email mobility@databus.org. The organization also has a rider app, which makes scheduling and canceling rides easier. Staff reached at the number above can help people download the app to their phones.

Click here to learn about the transportation study DATA is working on.