Shuttle Bus Information
Compass Coach has been selected as the premier transportation provider for the Odyssey of the Mind 2025 World Finals in East Lansing Michigan on the campus of Michigan State University.
Please note - Shuttle Bus Registration is now closed!
Compass Coach will provide dedicated and direct service, carrying only OOTM teams, for round trips between Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and the Michigan State University (MSU) campus where the OOTM 2025 World Finals is located. Compass Coach offers luxury 56 passenger Motorcoaches that are equipped with features for comfort, relaxation, and productivity. This includes large windows for great passenger visibility, spacious reclining seats, air conditioning, overhead storage, large luggage bays, charging ports, and bathroom.
The dedicated shuttles are available to MSU on Tuesday May 20, Wednesday May 21 and back to DTW on Saturday May 24 and Sunday May 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the shuttle service cost and where do they pick us up from?
Compass Coach Shuttle Ticketing Options:One way / per person (from DTW to MSU) - $45One way / per person (from MSU back to DTW) - $45Round trip per person (from DTW to MSU and MSU back to DTW): $88
The dedicated shuttles will depart from the Detroit Airport (DTW) and pick up at both terminals (Evans and McNamara)When is the deadline date to reserve the shuttle?
The deadline to reserve your shuttle is May 14, 2025. - Please note - Shuttle Bus Registration is now closed!
What dates are the arrival and departure shuttles running?
Arrival service is available Tuesday, May 20, Wednesday, May 21
Departure service is available Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25.How do I reserve a shuttle?
Please note - Shuttle Bus Registration is now closed!
What Information do I need to reserve a shuttle?
1. Team Name (example “Sterling Heights” or “Mexico City”), Team Number (typically 4 – 6 numerical digits), Problem # (can only be a single digit 1-5) and Division # (can only be a single digit 1-5). 2. Name, Email and Phone number of person completing the transportation registration.3. On-site Contact – Name, email, cell phone of the adult(s) that will be on-site in Detroit with the group on travel days. The individuals listed above will receive notice of departure location(s) and times from Compass Coach.4. Arrival Airline, Arrival Flight Number, Arrival Date, Arrival Time (Arrival time is NOT to be the time you want the shuttle — it’s when your flight is scheduled to arrive). 5. Departure Airline, Departure Flight Number, Departure Date, Departure Time (Departure time is NOT to be the time you want the shuttle — it’s when your flight is scheduled to depart). 6. How many people are you requesting a shuttle for, which ticketing types you are purchasing and the total amount due (you will use this for Step 2 - Payment). If your team is traveling on different flights, you’ll need to complete the registration multiple times based on the travel schedule.
I have an early flight. Will there be a shuttle to take me to the airport?
When you register for the shuttle, you put your airline departure time. From those departure times we will determine the shuttle departure time – typically leaving Michigan State University so individuals are at the airport 1.5/2 hours before your flight. We will have shuttles starting as early as we need to get the teams back to the airport.
What is the policy for infants?
We do not provide car seats. If you bring your own car seat, the buses have a 3 point seat belt that can be used to secure the car seat. If you elect to bring a car seat then we would need to charge the $88/round trip for the infant since it is utilizing a seat within the charter. If you decide to hold the child in your lap (which is acceptable per the busing company), then we wouldn’t charge you the round-trip fee for the infant.
How do I learn of my departure time and shuttle from the airport?
Departure times will be determined the week of Odyssey of the Mind. After you have registered and paid, Compass Coach will send you an email confirmation that we have received your request for shuttles. At least 72 hours (3 days) before your departure to OOTM, Compass Coach will send the person who made the reservation and the On-Site contact person the group's shuttle bus number, shuttle departure time and terminal pickup location.
Arriving on a later flight? Compass Coach will be working with the OOTM Registration and we will make sure your team gets to their residence hall in a timely manner. We will have procedures in place behind the scenes.What will happen once I get to the campus of MSU?
Once you have experienced a wonderful ride aboard our Compass Coach which offers comfort features such as large windows for great passenger visibility, spacious reclining seats, air conditioning, overhead storage, large luggage bays, charging ports, and bathroom your team will unload on the Campus of Michigan State University near the STEM Building. All Compass Coach airport shuttle buses will drop and unload near the MSU STEM building. The Team Leader will enter the STEM building and check in the group. From there, you’ll learn where you’re staying on campus and you will board a campus CATA bus and follow the standard route(s) to your assigned housing location.
Who & How will I get the communication from Compass Coach regarding pickup locations?
Rest assured, Compass Coach wants to make this as stress free as possible. That is why we have arranged to have representatives available to you at the luggage pickup areas of your terminals. Should you have any questions regarding your shuttles we will be there to answer your questions. We will be watching your flights in real time on the day of arrival, so if by chance your flight is delayed we will know about it and will already be making schedule changes to make sure you get to Michigan State University as soon as possible.
Transportation registration ends April 29, 2025. After this date, our staff will figure out the flight logistics and develop a schedule that makes sense to ridership and also the team's time waiting at the airport. At least 3 days prior to your departure to OOTM, Compass Coach will send out an email to the person who made the reservations AND also the ON-Site contact person with the shuttle bus number, shuttle bus departure time and terminal pickup.
On Thursday May 22, the On-site contact person and the person who made the reservation for each group will receive an email from Compass Coach giving them their departure time and location pickup referred to as a “Launch Pad” from MSU. It is very important that the on-site contact person has access to their email during their time at MSU. We will be scheduling return shuttles so that the teams will be arriving back to DTW at least 2 hours prior to your flights departure. If you should have problems, please email our GM Gwen at moc.hcaocssapmoc%40mg or if you would rather talk to someone, call our office M-F 9-5 pm: 616-696-0022.What to expect when getting ready to depart back to DTW?
On Thursday May 22, the on-site contact person will receive their pickup times and “launch pad” pickup from Compass Coach. Each team is expected to be at the launch pad at least 15 minutes prior to pickup time ready to board the motorcoach. Compass Coach will arrange pickup times so that the teams are back to DTW at least 2 hours prior to their flight departure times. Some teams might be there earlier than 2 hours depending on the logistics of the teams and flight times.
Instead of picking up at each individual residence hall which would be a traffic nightmare, OOTM has designated four (4) pickup spots for loading. These are referred to as Launch Pads and are as follows: Brody/Kellogg Launch Pad; South Launch Pad, East/Conrad Launch Pad and CATA HUB Launch Pad. Upon your on-site registration, you will be told what launchpad your residence hall is assigned to.What is the Compass Coach contact information?
We advise you to use our transportation website for any questions you might have, but if you feel more comfortable, you may email our general manager (Gwen) at moc.hcaocssapmoc%40mg or call our office M-F 9am - 5pm EST at 616-696-0022.