Because of our region’s.jpg){kind=small}
odd system of letting each city council or township board decide whether to be part of the SMART bus system, we have an difficult patchwork of transit service throughout the suburbs. And it’s about to get even odder.
Last week, the Farmington City Council decided to quit the SMART bus system, despite overwhelming support for SMART in last year’s election. According to the Free Press:
"It was a tough decision, but SMART just wasn’t working for us," City Councilman Greg Cowley said. "All of us believe in regional transportation. But what SMART offers is really not a regional solution. The prime example is, of the more than 60 communities in Oakland County, only 23 are in SMART and the remainder have opted out," Cowley said. Many of those in the crowd said they depended on the bus system.
Many expected Farmington Hills to follow suit. But after five hours of passionate public testimony in support of SMART, the FH City Council voted 4-3 to stay in SMART (or at least to give their voters the option to continue to support it, which they’ve done overwhelmingly in the past). According to the Free Press:
Mayor Barry Brickner, who voted with the majority to stay in SMART, said dozens of visitors to the council meeting spoke in support of the service and only one spoke against it. He said bus service will continue to be spotty in Oakland County, and that "all of us are waiting for legislation in Lansing to clarify transit for the whole region."
At least they both agree on the need for a better regional transit solution! Hey Lansing, are you listening?!?