On August 4th, every resident in Wayne County has the freedom to choose reliable, affordable, transportation options that work for them. Learn more about Connect Wayne County and Wayne Countywide Transit Expansion below.
Wayne County is Disconnected
- 350,000 people in Wayne County have no transit connection to their town.
- Tens of thousands of people in these towns cannot drive, whether due to age, disability, or cost.
- Seniors and people with disabilities use transportation services that severely limit where and when they can get around.
- Many people struggle to get to work without reliable transportation, and many jobs are left unfilled.
- We can connect Wayne County with countywide public transit!
Expanded, Countywide Public Transit Will:
Let Seniors Be Independent
Michigan’s population is aging. Expanded public transit allows seniors to keep their independence. An extensive network of fixed-route buses and senior shuttles serving door-to-door destinations in our outer suburbs and rural areas mean seniors can age in their homes and stay independent.
Allow People with Disabilities to Get Around
Many people with disabilities must rely on friends and family to get from point A to B. A highly functioning transit system that accommodates disabled people is vital to job access, social opportunities and quality of life.
Help Young People Live Here
Many young people are moving out of Wayne County to places with better public transit. Transit is popular with young people who can’t afford, or don’t want to drive. By expanding transit throughout Wayne County, we’ll have less young people leaving our communities.
Countywide Transit Expansion Means:
New & Extended Fixed Bus Routes
New bus routes along major corridors like Allen, Middlebelt, Warren, Plymouth, Seven Mile, and more!
Extended routes on Michigan, Fort, Telegraph, Ford, and more!
More On-Demand Transit
Some areas would receive an on-demand dial-a-ride transit zone, functioning much like Uber or Lyft service – but at a much lower cost.
Improved Paratransit
Shuttles would have expanded hours and lower waits, much like in Northern and Western Oakland County.
Larger paratransit zones would exist too, meaning your life doesn’t end at the township line & transfers throughout the metro area.
Local Dollars Invested in Your Community
Every dollar raised by countywide transit would stay in Wayne County. Every township and city in Wayne County gains more connections.
Better Connections for Everyone
Whether you realize it or not, we all depend on someone who uses transit. Nurses, day care workers, janitors, waiters, and our own family and friends all use transit. Making it easier for them to get around benefits you, even if you never ride the bus yourself.
And So Much More, All At a Small Cost for You
Countywide transit would cost the average household about $8 a month… and if you’re in a suburb that already has SMART bus service, you’ll get expanded connections at no additional cost.
How Would Countywide Transit Expansion Work?
If approved by voters, the plan would tax each household at a rate of 0.9831 mils. For a home worth $200,000, that’d come out to $8 a month.
Transit service in Wayne County will be overseen by the Wayne County Transit Authority, a board consisting of elected leaders throughout Wayne County, directly accountable to the Wayne County Commission. The Wayne County Transit Authority will then contract with SMART (public transit agency) to provide the bulk of service. Additional service will be provided by DDOT, Nankin Transit, and Liv&Go (all publicly ran transit services).
Your Tax Dollars Will Leverage More Transit Funding
Transit funding is matched by the state at a rate of about 30 cents for every dollar. Not only does this mean local dollars invested in your community, it means expanded funding from Lansing in your community.
Funding will be split between several agencies, depending on where you live:
- Money raised in Detroit will fund enhanced DDOT service.
- In Livonia, money will be split between Liv&Go for dial-a-ride service and SMART for fixed route buses.
- In Canton, Garden City, Inkster, Wayne, and Westland, funding will be split between Nankin Transit for dial-a-ride service and SMART for fixed route buses.
- For all other communities, funding will go towards SMART to provide a mix of fixed-route bus transit and on-demand Flex service
Get Involved for Wayne Countywide Transit
On August 4th, every resident in Wayne County has the freedom to choose reliable, affordable,
transportation options that work for them. Let’s Connect Wayne County!