TRU is proud to announce that our executive director, Megan Owens, has been named a co-chair of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield’s Transit Improvement & Mobility Innovation committee on her Rise Higher Detroit Transition Team.
Megan is joined by co-chairs Tiffany Gunter (General Manager & CEO of SMART) and Dessa Cosma (Founder and Executive Director of Detroit Disability Power) to improve transit and mobility for all Detroiters.
TRU and Detroit Disability Power have been working to Double DDOT with many other allies throughout the city, and we will continue to push for Mayor-elect Sheffield to commit to doubling DDOT by 2030, bringing more frequent and reliable buses throughout the city, and to continue the work council has already done towards this goal. Additionally, we’ll continue to work on making the entire DDOT network accessible for all riders, and keep the improvements we’ve seen in paratransit.
TRU and SMART have long been working on integrating all of Metro Detroit, and Wayne county in particular, into a unified transit system. This high level cooperating between the Mayor of Detroit, SMART, and transit advocates is a perfect opportunity to make sure DDOT and SMART service align well to work for riders, and that SMART service can expand throughout Wayne county, including in Detroit.
For over 25 years, TRU has established ourselves at the leading experts on transit, and as a persistence voice for transit riders. Megan’s appointment reflects acknowledgement of this work from the City, and allows us to continue improving transit for riders throughout the region. We’re excited to rise to the occasion, and help lead improvements in transportation. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Sheffield and to all transition committee members working to make a better Detroit for every Detroiter.