Metro Detroit has revolutionized transportation before–and we can do it again.
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is charged with developing a rapid transit system along key corridors in greater Detroit. Over the past few years, communities along Woodward have gotten a jump start on the process, conducting an “alternatives analysis” in order to determine the ideal mode of transit for the region’s spine. Local leaders, planning consultants, and residents alike selected Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, as the preferred type of transit. As planning moves forward, we want to ensure that the system is high quality, world class, and truly rapid. What does that mean? Real rapid transit:
- Is separated from traffic, running in its own right of way so that it doesn’t get stuck in traffic.
- Lets riders pay their fare before boarding and get on at any door, to avoid lines at the farebox.
- Is coordinated with traffic signals and turn lanes, to avoid long waits or conflicts at intersections.
- Has boarding platforms at the level of the vehicle floor, so that everyone can board easily, even wheelchairs, strollers, or bikes.
- Has stations that are spaced to serve major destinations and travel hubs, without too many intermediate stops.
- Allows seamless transfers with local bus service, letting riders connect to destinations between stations or across the region.
- Provides safe pedestrian access, bike storage, and park-n-ride options for riders.
These characteristics are all part of the internationally recognized BRT Gold Standard, and we’re asking that the RTA and other regional stakeholders put their weight behind that standard of service. To show your support for real rapid transit in our region, you can sign this petition.
We’ve let too many opportunities slip through our fingers, and we can’t afford bad transit any longer. From Grand Rapids to Cleveland to Chicago, other cities are building Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, like we’re talking about–and we know what works from their experiences. No American city has a “Gold Standard” BRT system yet: let’s be the first.