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Mass Transit
Regional Transit for Metro Detroit
On December 8th, 2008, Wayne County CEO Robert Ficano along with Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel, Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson, and Macomb County Board Chairman William Crouchman, agreed to a resolution approving a Comprehensive Regional Transit Service Plan (CRTSP) put forth by the Regional Transit Coordinating Council (RTCC). A copy of that resolution and the Comprehensive Regional Transit Service Plan can be found below.
Comprehensive Regional Transit Service Plan (CRTSP)
Resolution of Support for CRTSP
The Plan signifies the first time the Detroit region has had a plan for new regional transit service in over 50 years. CEO Robert Ficano recognizes the vast economic benefits that could be realized through the development of new transit systems. "With the opportunity to generate up to $7 in private investment for every dollar of public money spent on transportation, we must work together to make this happen" according to Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano.
Wayne County has also been an ardant supporter of the creation of a single Regional Transportation Authority for Metro Detroit. The creation of a single transportation authority would help advance the development of a regional transit system and would put Wayne County in a better position to capture state and federal funding sources. As of the summer of 2010, bills to establish a Regional Transportation Authority awaited approval by the Michigan Legislature.
Ann Arbor-Detroit Regional Rail Project
CEO Ficano has also been a strong supporter of the Ann Arbor-Detroit Regional Rail Project, an effort led by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). This transit connection is seen as critical to linking Detroit residents to jobs and to linking visitors to our region’s educational, cultural, and entertainment facilities. A commuter rail between Ann Arbor and Detroit would also complement the development of the Aerotropolis district around Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports as a hub for air commerce-oriented activity. Additional information on the Ann Arbor-Detroit Regional Rail Project can be found on SEMCOG’s website.
M-1 RAIL Project
Light rail along Woodward Avenue is a top transit priority of Wayne County, the City of Detroit, Southeast Michigan, and the State of Michigan. M-1 RAIL, a 3.4 mile line that will connect Downtown Detroit to the New Center District, will be the first of several phases to develop light rail within the region. Funded by $125 million in private philanthropy and public investment, M-1 RAIL will be one of the most significant economic development projects for the City of Detroit. You can learn more about this project at the M-1 RAIL website.
Other Useful Links
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT)
Detroit People Mover
