Despite the cold weather, you won’t want to miss TRU’s annual State of Transit event!
This annual event is often the biggest transit night of the year, bringing together transit agency leaders, public officials, bus riders, partner groups, transit workers, news media, TRU members, and many others who want great transit throughout the metro Detroit region.
Location, shuttles, speakers, times, election, Q&A and other information below.
Where: Marygrove Conservancy in northwest Detroit
We’ve outgrown our regular TechTown location. This year, we’ll host the event at the Marygrove Conservancy: 8425 W McNichols Road between Wyoming and Livernois in northwest Detroit. It’s a beautiful historic location with convenient parking, transit, and biking access and can accommodate over 300 people.
Marygrove is easily accessible by DDOT routes 32 (McNichols) and 54 (Wyoming), and is a 10 minute walk from route 39 (Puritan). In deference to the cold weather, we’ll shuttle people in a van from the McNichols and Wyoming bus stops to the building’s entrance from 4:30-6:30 and back after the event. Watch for our van or call Cunningham at 313-334-9669.
There is also be a hybrid Zoom option of the main program for those who cannot attend in person. Everyone registered will receive an email at 5pm with the Zoom link.
When: Tuesday January 27, 2026
- 5pm – Speakers & Sponsors reception (special tickets required)
- 5:30 – Doors open for registration and refreshments for all guests
- 6pm – Main Program, including the State of Transit review, public officials panel, agency leaders panel, and riders perspectives
- 8pm – Program wraps, additional networking opportunity
Who: Transit agency leaders public officials, TRU board members, bus riders, and others
We’re honored to host Mary Sheffield, Mary of Detroit, who will provide opening remarks this year!
- Unfortunately, Mayor Sheffield had to cancel. Her spokesperson will share her planned remarks and we’ll work to arrange another time for her to present to the transit community as soon as her schedule permits.
The event will feature a public officials panel, featuring:
- Wayne County Executive Warren Evans
- State Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony
- Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward
The transit agency panel will include:
- DDOT Director Robert Cramer
- SMART CEO Tiffany Gunter
- AAATA (TheRide) Director Matt Carpenter
- RTA Director Ben Stupka
- DTC (People Mover) General Manager Melia Howard
More speakers and program details to be announced as the event approaches.
Engage!
Event participants are able to ask questions and share their input at Slido.com/Transit.
No account or ap required. Just go to Slido.com/Transit and select either Q&A or Polls to participate live.
You get to vote on our board members!
TRU received many amazing applications for our board this year, and we’re excited to recommend four new board members to our membership:
- Jerina Cleveland
- Jerina serves as the Community Manager for the Catch a Ride Network, where she works directly with riders to help them bridge transportation gaps. She also has over two decades of experience in community advocacy, workforce development, and education. Jerina has lots of experience bringing all kinds of voices, from professional to community, to the table to ensure regional transportation decisions are made to serve everyone.
- David Miechiels
- David works at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy as their Governance & Project Manager, strengthening the board’s governance of the Riverfront. He also ran the Riverfront’s volunteer program for over 3 years, engaging over 500 volunteers annually and major partners. David has tons of experience mobilizing people for change, and can help TRU step up our volunteer efforts.
- Melinda B. Powers
- Melinda is a small business consultant and legal advisor, who has served in countless nonprofits over the years helping with fundraising efforts. She grew up in Detroit, and spent 15 years living in Florida before returning home as a car-free resident. Melinda offers insight as a Detroiter who left home but has come back & relies on transit, and will greatly help TRU with our fundraising efforts.
- Brittany Simmons
- In her day job, Brittany is a professional transportation planner at OHM, working on public engagement events and using various technical planning skills. However, you likely know as SignedBritt, a popular planning & urbanism content creator who focuses on car-free living in Detroit. Brittany has introduced countless young people to transportation issues, and has seen first-hand the amount of unmet demand that exists for transit throughout Metro Detroit.
Additionally, Donald Stuckey II, whose board term expires this year, is up for reelection to continue serving on our board!
And thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible!
Speakers & Sponsors Reception
Program Sponsors
RTA: Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan