What an amazing year it has been! We’ve had major transit ups and downs, but ended the year with huge victories that will really move our region forward.
Help celebrate our success by doubling your year-end donation to TRU! Our founders want to celebrate the RTA victory by matching the first $500 of every donation TRU receives before January 1!
Don’t delay – Donate to TRU today!
Then review the exciting year, download TRU’s Detroit Transit 2012 Year-in-Review, which includes:
- Major Victory: Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Coming to Southeast Michigan!
This year TRU and our partners made a powerful case for the RTA, testifying, organizing supporters, meeting with legislators, mobilizing emails and calls to legislators, and engaging the media. Thanks so much to everyone who helped! - Now we must make sure the new RTA is effective, regionally-focused, and dedicated to bold transit solutions. Stay tuned: this is just the beginning!
- M-1 Rail Woodward Streetcar Moves Forward
- The M-1 Rail streetcar project is poised to get essential federal funds and launch the final engineering work, then begin construction.
- Also, there is a study underway for the best way to develop rapid transit along Woodward, all 27 miles from Detroit to Pontiac. Stay tuned for next steps.
- Major Progress on Passenger Rail
- Continued Challenges for DDOT Bus Service
Mayor Bing instituted drastic cuts in DDOT bus service, devastating tens of thousands of riders. - We documented DDOT’s inability to run buses on time with DDOT Report Cards: just two-thirds of buses arrive on-time.
- One step forward: DDOT instituted a new “Text My Bus” program to tell riders when their bus will arrive.
- Powerful Partnerships for Transportation Advocacy
- Trans4M – working to transform transportation policy in Michigan
- Regional Elder Mobility Alliance‘s Senior Mobility Outreach Project
- Transportation for America – pushing an improved federal transportation law
- University of Detroit Mercy researchers on regional transit, advised by TRU
- Transportation for All – a new Detroit transit coalition
- Major Growth in TRU Capacity and Funding
Thanks to generous support from the Sally Mead Hands Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, TRU has grew our staff, board, online tools, and even our office. - We hosted the first annual Regional Transit Awards dinner, recognizing the region’s top transit advocates and leaders. Stay tuned for the 2013 Awards dinner.
With your help, we will make 2013 our best transit year ever!!
Make your year-end donation before January 1 to double your impact and get your 2012 tax deduction.
Thanks and Happy New Year!!