In what appears to be a significant push toward regional transit overhaul in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan House has passed legislation that would effectively dismantle the option for communities within Wayne County—and potentially Oakland County—to opt out of participating in public transit systems. According to The Detroit News, the bill spearheaded by State Rep. Alabas Farhat passed with a narrow 56-52 margin, bringing regions like Livonia and Northville into transit tax votes when the millage is up for renewal in 2026.
Farhat has highlighted the fragmentation in Wayne County's transit systems as a significant impediment to residents' mobility. As reported by FOX 2 Detroit, 17 communities, including Detroit, which has its own Department of Transportation, was previously able to opt-out from tax and service provided by the SMART bus system. Under the proposed bill, these areas would still be required to partake in a future countywide vote even with having their services.
The shift is not limited to Wayne County. The Oakland Press detailed that a last-minute substitution to the House bill extended its reach to Oakland County by lowering the population threshold for affected counties from 1.5 million to 1.1 million inhabitants. This change was made without the communities expecting it, most of which have been opting out for decades. Moreover, the bill would also remove time constraints on potential millages, granting transit authorities a free hand in setting their duration.
Oakland County's Commission Chairman, Dave Woodward, believes that local counties ought to have every tool at their disposal for future transit decision-making. By removing the opt-outs, the legislation aims to channel a more uniform and cohesive integration of regional public transportation. While Macomb County also offers a countywide transit tax, no indication has been made of whether it plans to join the legislation to abolish opt-outs.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, while the Michigan Senate still needs to approve the bill before it can become law, all three counties in the area—Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb—appear to be aligned toward a more interconnected network. Ultimately, the electorate's consent would be required to advance the expansion, possibly during the 2026 midterm elections or another scheduled electoral contest.
