Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was interviewed by the Free Press and had some interesting things to say about transit:
Q: Negotiations between Detroit and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties on a Regional Transit Authority have reportedly been bumpy. Will the Big Four be able to resolve their differences this year?
A: We are on board. There has been some push back, yes. A lot of that has to do with trust, which historically has been a problem. You have to trust the people at the table. I think, with the relationships and credibility I bring to the table, there should be less mistrust. But we have to be careful. The city subsidizes its transit system to the tune of $80 million a year. We have the largest ridership. We want to make sure we’re not going to be disadvantaged.
Q: How so?
A: We want to make sure that the federal funds we get will continue to come our way, even under the new authority. As you know, now there’s a 65-35 split (of federal funds to the city and suburban bus systems). Going forward, we want to make sure we still get our 65% share of federal funding. We’re close enough that I feel we’re going to come to an agreement.
Q: Now, there are two separate plans for running light-rail on Woodward, north of New Center. The city’s plan would take rail to just south of 8 Mile. The regional plan extends it into Oakland County, all the way to 11 Mile or even 13 Mile. Would the city be willing to fold its plan for light-rail on Woodward into the regional plan?
A: I’m not opposed to that. The question becomes whether Oakland County wants light-rail. I believe, with the Woodward corridor, it makes sense to go into Oakland County. We’ve just got to get Oakland County to say they are in agreement with that.