Commuters in Motor City have reason to cheer as the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) rolls out enhancements across several bus routes, amping up service frequency starting January 22. The DDOT is tackling the transportation blues head-on, bolstering its workforce with new Transit Equipment Operators, thus paving the way for more frequent buses, especially on the 9-Jefferson route, according to the City of Detroit.
Hot off the heels of onboarding 30 new operators and with a fresh batch of 115 students hitting the books this month, DDOT is looking at a rosier picture for Detroit's public transit system; in a financial boost by the city, transit equipment officers are pocketing an extra $3 per hour, putting a sparkle on the already enhanced $500 quarterly attendance bonus, which had Detroit Mayor Duggan and the City Council singing from the same hymn sheet earlier this month, on January 16, the measure was passed to further stimulate job applications.
The 9-Jefferson isn't just turning over a new leaf with its increased daytime frequency—every 10 minutes on weekdays and 15 minutes over weekends—but it's also the leading star in the city's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) pilot project. This route is scheduled to benefit from significant improvements, including streamlined bus stop spacing and the introduction of "Connection Corners" at major intersections for smoother transfers, as per the City of Detroit.
Moreover, the windfall doesn't stop at 9-Jefferson, with DDOT spreading the wealth to include increased runs on 16-Dexter and 18-Fenkell, and additional peak period services coming to routes like the 3-Grand River, the 13-Conner, the 15-Chicago/Davison, among others, promising Detroit's riding public a smoother and more reliable commute in the year to come these service enhancements are designed to not only improve reliability and accessibility but also signify the department's commitment to its passengers' commuting experience.
