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TRU’s 2015 Year-in-Review

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This year has seen significant transit progress , including M-1 Rail construction, new DDOT buses, RTA rapid transit planning, and more.

These improvements don’t happen randomly or in a vacuum. It is only through many years of dedicated advocacy work by TRU and our partners and allies that transit has finally begun to turn around. Our work in 2015 included:
1) Promoting the benefits of transit investment through 50 media hits and 25 community presentations,
2) Community engagement with more than 1,400 people at 20 different festivals and other events,
3) Advancing and watchdogging the work of the Regional Transit Authority,
4) Seizing upon unanticipated opportunities to draw public attention to the importance of transit,
5) Bringing supporters together in a regional transit coalition called Momentum and
6) Celebrating transit champions at the Regional Transit Awards dinner.

Details and images included. We also said goodbye to longtime transit advocate Marcia Yakes. Read on to learn more.

TRU’s 2015 Year-in-Review Read More »

The State of Detroit Area Transit: Limited yet Improving

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The State of Detroit Transit is Improving!

After many years of struggle and decline, public transit is finally starting to get better. It’s far from good enough, with too many people still waiting for late buses or left completely without options. Yet improvements are coming and the future looks bright.

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is actively planning rapid transit on Woodward, Gratiot, and Michigan Ave, while also evaluating developing a plan to improve transit through the entire four-county region.

DDOT has made major improvements from their horrendous service a year ago. With new buses and drivers, they are finally providing nearly 100% of their scheduled service, with even more improvements to come.

Read on for more information and details of Detroit area transit progress in 2015.

The State of Detroit Area Transit: Limited yet Improving Read More »

Michigan Roads Package: Some Silver Linings, But Major Dark Clouds

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The Michigan Legislature finally passed a “Roads Funding” package of bills which the Governor has said he will sign into law. Unfortunately, the package was really the least they could do, the very least.

There are a few silver linings in the package, including $60 million a year for Michigan’s transit agencies, adjustments for inflation, and more flexibility for Detroit to invest in transit.

But it also has some mayor dark clouds, including long delays before implementation, only half of the funding from new revenue, and threats to other budget priorities in years to come.

Read on for more details.

Michigan Roads Package: Some Silver Linings, But Major Dark Clouds Read More »

Goodbye to Long-time TRU Board member Marcia Yakes

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When TRU was first founded in 1999, Marcia Yakes was already fighting for better Detroit buses. She frequented DDOT meetings and City Council hearings, complaining that if she could have back all the time she spent waiting on DDOT buses, she’d be a decade younger! She joined TRU’s founding board and for the past 15 years

Goodbye to Long-time TRU Board member Marcia Yakes Read More »