2006 - the year in review

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Detroit Transit in 2006 - The Year in Review

Here are a few of the highlights of 2006 and share some of our plans for 2007:

Super Bowl XL – 2006 was launched with a bang, with Super Bowl XL and all the preparations for it and celebrations around it. People from throughout the region and throughout the country came to downtown Detroit and had a great time. It was an exciting, thriving city, at least for that long weekend. The People Mover was popular and packed. So many people used the park and ride shuttles that the busses became a little overwhelmed, showing that people will use transit if it is convenient and well promoted. A quality regional transit system was pointed out as the one major drawback of the event. Regional leaders, led by Roger Penske, said that the transit problem needed to be solved and pledged to make sure it happened.

A Desire Named Streetcar - This year was the fiftieth anniversary of the last Detroit streetcar. TRU used this opportunity to celebrate the past, present, and potential future of transit in greater Detroit. We worked with Detroit transit historian Ken Schramm and numerous great TRU volunteers to develop a series of displays highlighting Detroit’s former transit glory, the current bus system, other cities’ transit successes, and a vision of what Detroit area transit could be. These displays are now available online at www.DetroitTransit.org/streetcar. On April 7, we were joined by 75 supporters in unveiling these displays at a unique fundraiser at the Guardian Building’s Rowland Café and on the People Mover that was enjoyed by all. Special thanks go out to the Rowland Café, the Corradino Group and all of our other sponsors, supporters, host committee, and volunteers for making this wonderful event possible.

Ensuring Fair Fares - In April, Mayor Kilpatrick proposed raising Detroit bus fares for people with disabilities to 75 cents to help ease the tight city budget. Now that DDOT’s bus fleet is reliably accessible to wheelchairs, it is reasonable to charge a fare, as every major bus service does. However, it is not fair to single out people with disabilities for increased fares. The standard practice nationally is for people with disabilities to receive the same discounted fare as seniors, but the mayor proposed that seniors continue to ride for free. TRU members, led by Riders Voice Chair Patty Fedewa, expressed our concerns to the mayor and City Council several times, convincing the Council to pass a fare plan that includes an equal 50 cent bus fare to both groups, which the mayor accepted. This is not only more equitable, but matches SMART’s fares, reducing confusion. Special thanks to Patty, Tommy Meadows, and others for their efforts to ensure fair fares.

Increasing local transit funding options - A major obstacle to quality transit has been the lack of local funding options. This spring TRU and our partners worked with Governor Granholm and state legislators to allow local communities to vote on long term local property taxes, which are critical to receiving federal funding for building a rail project (state press release). We applaud Governor Granholm for standing strong for transit, even vetoing legislation that would have excluded greater Detroit. We also thank State Rep. Marie Donigan and our friends at the Michigan Environmental Council whose help was essential to the bill’s success.

Tiger Train huge hit – The Detroit Tigers offered special ticket packages that included taking the Amtrak train and a DDOT “trolley” bus from Oakland County to the game. This offer was wildly popular with the estimated 400 tickets selling out in just a few hours. People who did get tickets said it was a great experience. The Tigers promise to do it again and regional business leaders are considering additional train-ticket packages.

Huge support for funding SMART - The results of the SMART millage election showed overwhelming public support for the SMART bus system, even higher than in previous years. It passed in every community that voted on it, with supporters outweighing opponents 3 to 1 overall. In Oakland County, it passed with 76% of the vote. In Macomb and Wayne Counties, 70% of voters supported it. To see voting results by city, visit www.savesmart.org. Nationwide, voters in 14 states considered 33 transit-related ballot measures, with 72% passing, providing approximately $40 billion in investment was approved by voters.

Transit central to Michigan's new long-range transportation plan – For much of 2006, the Michigan Department of Transportation worked on a long range transportation plan - what Michigan's transportation system should look and work like in 2030. TRU and many of our members and partners participated in the public meetings and surveys. And MDOT got the message loud and clear that the people of Michigan don't want just more of the same:

"The 2030 Preferred Public Vision is a transportation system oriented toward choices, access, integration, and regional sensitivity . . . and responsive to the public’s demand for more transit and non-motorized choices."

Creating a Visionary Transit Plan

Key to building support for a regional rapid transit system is an exciting transit plan. That is why TRU launched our new vision project. After reviewing member surveys, analyzing population and job data, and reviewing old studies, TRU drafted a possible transit plan for the next 5, 10, and 25 years. Share your thoughts on our survey. We’ll be seeking your thoughts and input more over the next few months.

Regional leaders also agree on the importance of creating a regional transit vision. Leaders from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County and the City of Detroit agreed this summer to hire John Hertel, a well-respected local statesman, to develop a regional transit plan for the tri-county area. In addition, DDOT is now working with one of the nation’s top transit consultants to develop a rapid transit plan for Detroit, Dearborn, Highland Park and Hamtramck. We are honored that both solicited our input and involvement in their planning. Clearly next year will be an exciting time for the region to come together around a single transit vision for greater Detroit.

TRU meetings throughout the region – TRU held the first in a series of meetings and house parties throughout the region to discuss how regional transit issues intersect with local transit interests, and opportunities to join TRU's efforts. Over forty people, including two local mayors, attended the first event in Ann Arbor, voicing enthusiastic support for expanded transit in Washtenaw County and throughout the region. Additional events are planned in Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills, midtown Detroit and Royal Oak.

Looking Forward

With all the momentum built this year, 2007 will be a great year for transit! TRU is growing and expanding our work. We look forward to great progress in the coming year.

We look forward to continuing our work with John Hertel, DDOT, One D, and others to develop an exciting regional transit plan in which the people of greater Detroit will be eager to invest.
We will also continue to work with DDOT and SMART on improving their service and making busses a more appealing transportation choice, including improving bus signage and the new DDOT bus terminal.
To build support for transit among wary politicians and other tax-phobic people, we plan to calculate and promote the economic development, job creation, and urban revitalization benefits that transit could bring to greater Detroit.
We will also work with SEMCOG and others to advance and promote successful new rapid transit projects including an Ann Arbor–Metro Airport–Detroit commuter train and a Woodward light rail line.
Public education is always important. In addition to our work with local media, we plan to do more outreach to neighborhood associations, civic groups, and others to improve understanding about the potential of rapid transit for the region.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us in this important effort. If we can bring the region together around the great potential that transit can provide, we can make our transit vision a reality for greater Detroit. We look forward to working with you in 2007 to make it happen!