SMART provides essential transit service to 35,000 people in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties every day. Yet the SMART millage rate hasn’t increased in nearly 12 years, resulting in minimal service and ancient buses. 
With a 1.0 millage, SMART can buy more efficient buses and restore some of the service cut in 2011. Without it, SMART as we know it can’t keep operating after 2015!
County leaders in Macomb and Wayne Counties have placed the 1.0 millage on the August ballot. The Oakland County Commission will vote April 30 to ask voters to decide on SMART funding. Tell them how important local bus service is –
Act now to KEEP SMART ROLLING!
SMART does not have the funding it needs to meet our community’s transportation needs. Between declining property values, declining state and federal support, and increasing costs, SMART has not been able to even maintain service levels, let alone provide the expanded service that riders and employers need.
- The Macomb County Commission voted April 17 and overwhelmingly supported placing the 1.0 millage on the ballot for the entire county.
- In Wayne County, the County Commission increased the rate cap and the Public Transit Authority voted unanimously to place it on the August ballot in opt-in communities.
- In Oakland County, the Public Transit Authority voted unanimously March 28 to place the 1.0 millage on the ballot in opt-in Oakland County communities, pending Oakland County Commission approval. On Monday March 31, the Oakland’s General Government Committee agreed to place it before the full Commission at their April 30 meeting.
TRU would prefer a 1.8 mil property tax on the ballot, enabling SMART to seriously expand service hours and routes. TRU also supports the 1.0 mil tax rate that the SMART Board is requesting. It would not allow for significant expansion, but it should enable some restoration of service and overhaul of the ancient bus fleet.
This funding is essential, so please use our easy online action tool to email all Oakland County Commissioners. Use our sample letter and/or add your own reason, to tell the Oakland County Commissioners to support SMART funding to KEEP SMART ROLLING! Thanks!