In an editorial Friday, the Detroit Free Press hit the leadership nail on the RTA head! It’s titled, "Transit plans will stall again without leadership, compromise." It goes on to say:
"Without real leadership from these elected representatives, transit bills now before the state House will languish and die. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Macomb County Commission Chairman Paul Gieleghem and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing must work out their differences, including labor and employment issues, and get regional transit legislation to the governor this year.
"Action can’t wait until next year. . . . Delaying a regional authority also would jeopardize millions of dollars of federal transportation aid — and the jobs and economic development that come with it. . . .
"These issues are difficult, but not insurmountable, if the top leaders of southeast Michigan get engaged and work with an appropriate sense of urgency. . . . Metro Detroit can’t afford to wait any longer."
A few TRU comments:
– Ficano and Gieleghem are already on board. It’s Patterson and Bing who need to compromise to get it done!
– If they can’t agree, the legislature should pass it anyway, even without their support because it’s the right thing to do.
– The Free Press is right that "the city and suburban bus systems are not economically sustainable." But the City of Detroit no longer spends $80 million a year on DDOT; it’s down to just $55 million.