Commuters in Detroit can soon ditch their car keys for bus tickets. A new pilot program connecting downtown Detroit to Detroit Metro Airport is set to take off this spring, promising to ease travel for residents and visitors alike. According to the Detroit News, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan plans to offer express bus service featuring up to 16 daily trips to the airport from a yet-to-be-announced spot in downtown.
For those weary of the winding routes of existing services, this initiative appears to be a beacon of direct transit. Ben Stupka, the RTA's executive director, reportedly said there's no project more vital to commuters than the airport connection. Responding to the public's top transit destination pick, RTA has partnered with Michigan Flyer, as noted by FOX 2 Detroit. The service is set to run between 3:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., offering a less time-consuming alternative to the existing SMART bus route.
The initiative isn't just about comfort, but accessibility. John Waterman, a member of RTA's Citizens Advisory Committee, told FOX 2 that public transportation is key to creating a community that is accessible and safe for all, including those with disabilities. "If you don't have a bus that somebody can take, you don't have an accessible community," he said, highlighting a crucial need in urban planning.
Cost won't be prohibitive. Expected to launch in late March, tickets for a one-way trip will be $15 with discounts likely in tow when the program kicks off. This one-year pilot is backed by a $2.5 million federal grant aimed at reducing carbon emissions, reports Detroit News. Officials hope the service will pave the way for potential future routes to other counties and potentially foster a broader appreciation and demand for regional transit.
Despite the buzz, the RTA acknowledges that the success metrics for the service are still fluid as it's a new venture with uncertain pandemic-era ridership levels. Julia Roberts, the RTA’s director of planning and innovation, shared with Detroit News that they will give one to three years for ridership to build and noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped transit patterns. With the NFL draft in Detroit this spring serving as a proving ground for the program's soft launch, mobility in the Motor City may soon hit a new stride.
