Charles Dickens may as well have been talking about Detroit transit with that infamous statement, because it sure has been both this year!
- Major federal investments promise to drastically improve Michigan’s passenger rail network,
- Yet Mayor Bing has canceled the Woodward Light Rail project.
- Governor Snyder has been bringing together top leaders to improve regional transit,
- While many bus riders are being left stranded by DDOT problems and SMART cuts.
At the same time, TRU is stronger than ever, thanks to our generous supporters and fabulous partners. Despite scrambling to keep up with massive transit changes happening day-to-day, we have also developed our first Strategic Plan to effectively guide our work over the next three years. We make those long term plans because we know it can and must get better!
Major Federal Investment in Improving Michigan’s Rail System
It is the best of times for Michigan’s passenger 
rail system. The state of Michigan is buying and upgrading 135 miles of railroad track from Norfolk Southern to substantially improve train speeds and reliability between Detroit and Chicago. Made possible by nearly $350 million from the Obama administration, the upgrades will cut 30 minutes off every trip by increasing speeds to 110 mph and addressing congestion points.
Federal funds are also enabling a new multi-modal train station in Dearborn (although similar funds were abruptly rejected in Troy), with another under analysis in Ann Arbor. While none of these funds directly support the Detroit-Ann Arbor Commuter train, these upgrades will provide major improvements that potential line will need as well. They also demonstrate powerful support for passenger train service from the federal, state, and some local governments.
Woodward Rail Canceled by Mayor Bing due to Detroit Budget Woes
The recent news on Woodward 
Light Rail (WWLR) is certainly the worst of times for Detroit transit. Despite major progress and enormous benefits, Mayor Bing just decided to cancel the project. We are disappointed and outraged by this choice, which throws away five years of work and a $3 billion economic development opportunity for Detroit. Mayor Bing could not figure out the right way to pay to run it and without that FTA will not provide the $300 million needed to build it.
While the regional Bus Rapid Transit proposal could be great in providing reliable transit many people need, it should have been done in addition to Light Rail, not instead.
TRU is exploring the feasibility of a shortened Light Rail and highlighting the need for an effective Regional Transit Authority and dedicated funding. Stay tuned for lots more.
TRU and Governor Snyder Work for Detroit Regional Transit
Greater Detroit has a great new opportunity to create a Regional Transit Authority, thanks to the efforts of Governor Rick Snyder. The Governor made a major address on Transportation and Infrastructure in October, laying out his administration’s priorities.
With our partners at Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) TRU gathered thousands of signatures calling on the Governor to make multi-modal regional transportation a top priority, which we presented to Lt. Governor Brian Calley.
And it worked! The Governor called for the creation of an RTA and discussed ways it could be funded. He hired an executive advisor to work hand-in-hand with top regional leaders to develop a workable proposal, which will be introduced soon.
TRU leaders have developed clear standards of what an effective RTA must include and will carefully evaluate the new bill to advocate for creation of a strong, effective RTA for the greater Detroit region.
DDOT Fails Its Riders; TRU Spotlights Solutions
DDOT bus service may truly be at one of the worst of times. DDOT has long struggled to provide the service needed by Detroit residents and businesses. Yet rarely have the problems been as severe as they have been the second half of 2011.
TRU graded the on-time service of DDOT buses. DDOT has earned a failing grade – an F. DDOT has consistently failed to provide riders with reliable bus service according to its published schedules. Observing 4,000 scheduled bus routes in one week, TRU volunteers noted that just 50% of the scheduled buses showed up on time. Hundreds failed to arrive at all, leaving riders stranded. This is unacceptable!
We presented it, along with 25 concrete ways to fix DDOT to DDOT Management and Mayor Bing’s administration, then to the City Council and the media and public. No one disputed the problem and the Mayor has finally committed to fix it. We will continue to actively watchdog their actions and service, producing updated Report Cards twice a year, to keep the pressure on for real improvement.
Massive SMART Cuts Further Isolate Region
SMART is also facing serious worst of times. SMART just made massive cuts in its bus service, eliminating 15 routes and all service to Detroit except weekday rush hours. Several years of dropping property values led to major budget shortfalls. Previously SMART avoided service cuts by cutting administration and raising fares. But without an increased millage rate and/or union concessions, service cuts were needed.
TRU proposed better ways to maximize bus service while minimizing costs. We also helped mobilize several hundred people to SMART’s public hearings who spoke out against the cuts. Yet days later, the SMART Board approved them.
TRU will monitor these cuts and ensure that the county leaders on the SMART Board fully understand their impacts of real people. This also emphasizes the need to actively seek new transit funding alternatives.
TRU Builds Future with Strategic Plan, New Staff, and New Funding
Transit problems are getting worse, yet the importance of transit is growing as is the potential for improvement! So TRU just completed our first Strategic Plan to guide our work for the next 3 years.
We reviewed our strengths and weaknesses and Detroit transit opportunities and challenges. We reaffirmed our mission and developed vision and values statements. Then we developed key priorities where we feel our impact could be the greatest, including:
- Improving DDOT bus service,
- Advocating for an effective RTA,
- Building support for a dedicated regional transit tax,
- Organizational expansion of our funding and Board,
- Plus improvements in our internal and external communications and coalition leadership.
Much of our capacity building is made possible by generous grants from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Kresge Foundation. None of our work would be possible without our wonderful members, business sponsors, and other funders – so thanks!! We are also very pleased to have a new Office Manager and Project Associate on our staff – Jeanean Bryant, who brings incredible Detroit dedication and great office management and community engagement experience.
TRU Helps Lead Coalitions to Improve Mi Transp. Policy and Senior Mobility
Fifteen groups from across Michigan have come together 
to transform transportation policy in Michigan. The goal of Trans4M is to make Michigan communities more livable and our economy more robust through transportation policy reform. TRU is pleased to help lead this broad-based statewide network in engaging new partner organizations, advocating for a southeast Michigan RTA, and much more.
TRU is pleased to help lead another great partnership – the Regional Elder Mobility Alliance – focused on understanding and improving transit for seniors and boomers. With generous support of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, we interviewed seniors in four diverse pilot communities to understand their transportation needs, understanding, and concerns. We then met with community leaders to propose improvements.
We greatly appreciate all the great groups working with us to advance Detroit area transit!!
While it has been a rough year for Detroit transit, TRU is stronger than ever thanks to all our wonderful partners and generous supporters. Working together, we will keeping fighting and ensure more and better transit for greater Detroit! Here’s wishing you happy holidays and a great new year!