Southland Center in Taylor is one of SMART’s major transfer points between Downriver buses, as well as an important destination in its own right. It’s used by over 100 bus riders every day.
Unfortunately, mall management recently ordered SMART to vacate the Southland bus stop by Monday, November 10.
The mall cited security concerns, as well as wear and tear on pavement.
Closing the Southland stop would have adverse consequences for hundreds of bus riders, including mall workers and shoppers who take the bus to the mall.
Even if the stop is moved to a location along the road nearby, that would put riders a long distance from the mall, and force some of them to cross the seven lanes of Eureka Road. Although there’s a sidewalk along Eureka, there’s no direct sidewalk access between Eureka and the mall.
TRU is urging mall management to reconsider its decision. Last week, we talked to a number of bus riders at the stop who said they used it in order to shop at the mall, and a rider who works at the nearby Meijers. Many of these riders had disabilities that prevented them from driving, were too old to drive, or just couldn’t afford a car:
Brenda from Allen Park uses the stop to shop at the mall, and knows countless other people who ride the bus to shop at the mall. The stop close to the mall is important for older people who can’t drive, and usually can’t walk as far.
Amanda from Romulus usually gets around with her car, but has been using the Southland bus stop as her car is in the shop right now. Without this stop, she’d have a much harder time getting to work.
Karmy from Dearborn Heights works at the Meijer across the street, and occasionally shops at Southland while waiting for her bus. When she commutes, she sees most riders get off at the mall to shop or transfer to other buses, and when she takes the 10pm bus home after work, she’s usually waiting at the bus stop with multiple mall workers. Also, her brother uses the bus to shop at the mall, and she knows a man who uses the bus stop to transfer to the 125, because he works at the airport.
We ran into a member of PEAC, Blayde, showing three young men with disabilities how to get to the mall. They all have disabilities and cannot drive, and used the bus to get lunch at the mall. Two of them, Tyler and Carey, were very upset at hearing the stop was to be removed, as it’d make getting to the mall much harder for them.
Des from River Rouge was using the mall today to buy perfume for his girlfriend. He thought moving the stop would be a major loss for the mall, as people shopping at the mall like him will likely go shop at other places.
There’s no reason why hundreds of bus riders should be kicked to the curb. Unfortunately, given the inequities that exist in our society, and the lack of adequate support for the most vulnerable people, any large gathering place can have issues with security. But cutting off public transit is no way to fix the problem.
TRU urges Southland management to reconsider removing the stop, in the interests of the broader Downriver community and the mall’s own patrons and employees.
If you’d like to urge the mall to reconsider – especially if you’re a Southland worker or shopper – you can give management a call at (734) 374-2800, extension 3.