Why Woodward is ready for light rail
Based on the experience of rapid transit investments in other cities, it is clear that the Woodward corridor from downtown to New Center is an excellent location to build a light rail line.
Experience in other cities has shown that the factors that support successful light rail lines include:
- Multiple and varied destinations and points of interest
- This line on Woodward would connect major business, educational, medical, entertainment, sports, cultural and dining attractions.
- High population and job density
- This route has relatively high job density and a growing residential population.
- Existing transit ridership
- The Woodward corridor provides over 30,000 bus rides daily.
- Connections to other transit links
- This route is connected to most major bus routes in the region.
- It has the potential to connect to the Ann Arbor-Detroit commuter train.
- It would be improved if it continued northward to Ferndale, Royal Oak and Birmingham as well.
The biggest limitation to the success of this line is that it does not bring people into or out of Detroit, just moves people around within. Most people would still drive into Detroit and need parking.
For information on the benefits of rapid transit, visit TRU’s About Transit section, which includes:
- The Many Benefits of Public Transit – Transit offers more than just a way to get around. Here are many other benefits.
- The Economic Benefits of Public Transit – Transit creates specific, measurable economic opportunities and benefits.
- Transit-Oriented Development – Many transit benefits are best realized when built with transit-oriented development – walkable, dense, mixed-use development.
- Why Detroit Needs Transit – Transit is about the future of Detroit. No big city can survive without a quality rapid transit system.