Southeast Michigan Needs More and Better Transit.
The New Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Could Make It Happen!
While public transit in southeast Michigan provides an essential service to a hundred thousand people every day, our region fails to provide enough reliable, affordable options.
The new Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has a great opportunity to improve transit:
- Improving our transit system will connect people with jobs and create more jobs.
- Investing in rapid transit boosts economic development, improving the quality of life throughout the region–even for those who don’t ride it.
The RTA, as passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor in Dec. 2012, will coordinate, oversee and improve transit for Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, including Detroit.
· The RTA will oversee current providers (SMART, DDOT, and AATA), but NOT replace or take them over.
· The RTA will plan, fund, and operate a Rapid Transit service along several major corridors.
· The RTA can propose to the voters new funding for regional transit, likely a vehicle registration fee.
· The RTA will be overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the County Executives and Detroit’s Mayor. That board will hire a CEO to run daily operations.
However, the RTA will only be as good as the people running it!
To ensure that the RTA is strong and effective, board members must:
1. Understand and embrace the many benefits of a strong transit system;
2. Be focused on regional solutions, not narrow local interests; and
3. Operate in an open, transparent process that involves the community.
CALL TODAY! Tell your leader you want board members with these qualities.
· Detroit Mayor Bing at 313-224-3400
· Oakland Exec. Patterson at 248-858-0484
· Macomb Executive Hackel at 586-469-7001
· Wayne Executive Ficano at 313-224-0286
Note: Washtenaw County already appointed their RTA board members: Richard Murphy and Liz Gerber.
To be fully successful, the newly appointed board will need to:
· Conduct a national search for the very best CEO, someone with successful experience developing a regional transit system in another major metro area;
· Develop and fully engage a diverse and active Citizen’s Advisory Committee; and
· Operate with transparent and accessible processes that consistently involve the community.
RTA FAQ
How and why was it created?
· The RTA law was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor in December 2012 to create an agency to coordinate, oversee and improve transit for southeast Michigan.
· Southeast Michigan needs more and better bus service and rapid transit to connect people to jobs, help families save money, and make our region a more attractive place to live and work. County lines have been transit barriers here for too long.
· Every other major metropolitan area has shown that effective transit requires an effective RTA to ensure effective coordination and to manage major regional transit improvement projects.
Who’s in it?
· The RTA includes all of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, including Detroit.
o Other counties can join in. There is no provision for any city or county to leave.
What will it do?
· The RTA will coordinate and oversee existing transit providers throughout the region, including DDOT, SMART, and AATA. It will NOT replace or take over existing agencies (in the short or mid-term).
· The RTA will plan, fund, and operate a Rapid Transit service along Woodward, Gratiot, and other major corridors. Each new route must be studied and funded individually before launching service.
· The RTA can propose to the voters new funding for regional transit, likely a vehicle registration fee of $20-40 annually to raise nearly $100 million for improved and expanded transit.
Who will run it?
· The RTA will be overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the County Executives (2 each), the Detroit Mayor (1 appointee), and the Governor (1 nonvoting board chair).
o The board members cannot be elected officials or employees of the counties, city, or transit agencies and have “substantial business, financial, or professional experience” relevant to transit or corporate operations.
o Each board member will serve fixed 1-3 year terms.
o Most board votes will be majority rule, except:
§ 7/9ths with one from each jurisdiction to place a tax or fee on the ballot
§ Unanimous approval required for operating rail or acquiring a transit provider.
· By March 19, the Board of Directors must be appointed. Within 30 days of when the Board is in place, the Board will meet, likely in early April.
· The Board will hire a CEO to manage daily operations of the RTA, likely in summer 2013.
How can riders and others be involved?
· The Board will develop a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, including:
o Two people from each county and two from Detroit;
o 40% transit users, including 25% of those users as seniors or people with disabilities;
o 20% organizations representing senior citizens and people with disabilities; and
o 40% representing business, labor, community and faith-based groups.
· By August, the RTA will have a public website detailing their budget, policies, and more.
· Sign up for TRU’s email newsletter for ongoing ways to be involved!