The Detroit People Mover will resume service next Wednesday, in time for the upcoming holiday events. The transit system had been temporarily shut down for 11 weeks for a maintenance project aimed at improving track reliability and longevity, as reported by The Detroit News.
The Detroit People Mover paused service in September for a nearly $5 million maintenance project on its rail system, as announced on its official website. According to the Detroit Transportation Corporation, which operates the system, approximately 20% of the 2.9-mile track was replaced, including nine curved sections that were replaced for the first time. These updates are expected to extend the lifespan of the track by at least 15 years. This marks the third rail replacement in the 37-year history of the elevated train system.
The Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) has announced that the People Mover's zero-fare pilot program will continue into 2024, allowing passengers to ride for free throughout the year. In June, the DTC approved the extension of the fare-free initiative through 2025, aiming to support the city's public transportation system and major events in downtown Detroit, The Detroit News added.
The People Mover will operate for 36 hours continuously, starting at 6:30 a.m. the day before Thanksgiving and running until 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. This extended service aligns with the city's Thanksgiving parade and a Detroit Lions home game, providing transportation options for those attending downtown events. "Officials estimate that 3,900 rides are taken daily on the People Mover and over 119,000 rides occur monthly," as noted by mlive.
The track improvements are expected to enhance the system's reliability and provide a quieter, smoother ride for passengers. This update was shared through social media and later confirmed by FOX 2 Detroit.
