Southeast Michigan has long been hurt by the patchwork system of transit that allows each town decide whether to provide transit or not. People can’t get to jobs. Seniors are left stranded when they can’t drive. Bus routes ineffectively skip or circle around parts.
Oakland County can finally eliminate that and go All-In for Transit!
Latest Updates:
- TRU delivered 350 petition signatures to the Oakland County Commission April 14, joined by several local residents sharing their personal public comment about the importance of going All-In on Transit.
With a single vote, the Oakland County Commission can eliminate one of the biggest barriers to effective transit – the opt-out system that results in an awkward patchwork transit system that leaves people walking miles just to reach a job. They can place transit funding on the countywide ballot – as Macomb County has – and let the voters decide.
TRU Director Megan Owens in a Detroit Free Press guest column April 7, 2022
- TRU is re-launching our Let’s Talk Transit Speakers’ Bureau program to educate and engage more people about the value transit provides our communities. We’re offering personalized transit updates and discussions to any organization, business, civic league, or other community group. We’re especially seeking groups with regularly scheduled meetings who invite guest speakers, like Rotary Clubs and local Chambers in Macomb and outer Oakland Counties. Contact info@DetroitTransit.org to arrange a presentation for your group!
Opt-Out History and Leadership Changes
For decades, each and every city, village, and township in Oakland (and Wayne) Counties have decided individually whether to be part of the SMART bus system. As we just saw when Auburn Hills voted to opt out, a handful of local officials can decide whether the region has a cohesive transit system or an inefficient patchwork – which makes no sense since our lives don’t stop at municipal borders!
Macomb County has for decades voted on the SMART bus system as a whole county, ensuring that everyone in the county has some level of transit service, as appropriate to their communities’ population density.
For decades, former Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and his allies on the County Commission blocked all efforts to expand transit countywide. In 2009, despite a strong need, an advocacy press, and a majority of County Commissioners wanting to take transit countywide, his team used parliamentary machinations to block the effort.
But now Brooks Patterson is gone. The County leadership has changed:
“I ran on better mass transit and public transit, when I ran in 2002 as a county commission. We’ve been talking about this. I’ve been talking about it for 17 years. The region’s been talking about it for decades. It’s time to get this right.”
New Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter in The Oakland Press, Aug 26, 2019
“For the first time in Oakland County history when the SMART millage is coming up for renewal, we have a pro-transit majority on the County Commission… For the first time in history when the transit millage is coming up for renewal we have a pro transit Executive…. For the first time in history Oakland County has pro transit voters….
“2022 is going to be a year great things are going to happen.”
Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward at TRU’s January 2022 State of Transit event
This is the chance we’ve been waiting for!
The County Commission can put transit on the ballot countywide.
Many people are surprised to find out how little blocks us from countywide transit service. With one majority vote, the Oakland County Commission can place a measure on the countywide ballot to dedicate funding to provide public transportation and mobility services throughout the whole county. Then of course a majority of voters must agree to that investment. Ensuring majority voter support will require a broad public education, engagement, and vote yes campaign, but TRU’s done that before and we’re ready to do it again.
Discussions have been underway for months, or even years, about how to make this happen. Questions remain about whether to make SMART countywide or whether the County should raise the funds and allocate them to different communities in different ways.
Enough planning. Enough talk. Time to act! Sign our petition to urge Oakland County leaders to act quickly to make Oakland County All-In on Transit!
Lots of reasons to support
Our petition has been signed by over 250 Oakland County residents and another 150 workers, visitors, and former residents. Many shared their personal reasons why they feel it’s so important for Oakland County to go All-In on Transit:
At 62 I can imagine a time when driving will be difficult for me. Why should I give up mobility and access to things like my church, the OPC, and shopping? Please work to expand seamless public transit for all citizens.
Harper, Rochester
When one does not drive, one still has to thrive!
Lori, Milford
Quality of life, environmental protection, economic development – including tourism and special events, and mobility justice are all essential to the well-being of the community. In the U.S. and all throughout the world, the best cities and regions provide mobility options: safe, walkable neighborhoods (15 Minute City) connected to great transit corridors, slow / green ways for walking and biking also connected to neighborhoods and transits.
Ann, Royal Oak
I support Oakland County going all-in on public transit so that I can visit family in Lake Orion, go shopping in Novi, and take advantage of all that Oakland County has to offer.
Hannah, Detroit
People with disabilities often have no choice but to rely on transit to get to the places they need to go. Not being able to drive or pay for costly transportation services shouldn’t deprive them of their mobility and freedom of movement. Oakland County’s patchwork public transit system keeps people imprisoned in their own homes. It’s time for Oakland to go all-in for public transit.
Kristen, who grew up in northern Oakland County
I moved from Auburn Hills to Ann Arbor in 2012 because it took at least 30 minutes to get anywhere due to sprawl. I also experienced way too many near-miss car crashes. A reliable bus system in Oakland County would mean less traffic in the area, and less money spent on roads. Also a safer, more civilized, and relaxed way to travel!
Ryan
By far the easiest thing we can do to combat climate change today is to make busses far easier to ride than they currently are
Aras, Oak Park
I support Comprehensive public transportation as a public utility and necessity for a healthy economy. Access to the educational facilities in Auburn Hills and the rest of Oakland county must be maintained, as well as access to employment in the Tech Corridor and Great Lakes Crossing and other areas. These businesses and institutions remain viable when public transit serves the community.
Shirley, Franklin
What’s your reason why Oakland should go All-In on Transit?
Share it by signing our petition and/or sharing your reason on social media and tagging @DetroitTransit!