2013 was an important building year for Detroit transit:
- The Regional Transit Authority was formed and selected a Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
- The RTA’s Providers Advisory Committee held regular discussions about improving coordination, including a single fare card good on all public transit in the region.
- M-1 Rail has started preliminary construction work and set up Business and Community Advisory Councils.
- Plans are coming into shape for rapid transit serving the entire 27 miles of Woodward Avenue.
2014 could be even bigger, with the first-ever opportunity for southeast Michigan voters to choose to invest in improving and expanding regional transit. If passed, this would nearly double local investment in transit, providing funding for rapid transit on Woodward, Gratiot, and elsewhere, plus other transit improvements.
To make sure funding succeeds, TRU is launching a broad coalition effort to build public support for investing in regional transit, along with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ecology Center, and many others. Persuading over one million southeast Michigan voters to invest in transit is an unprecedented effort that we can’t let fail.