Paul Tait, Executive Director, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)

Will the Detroit Region ever see a true, integrated mass transit system? The answer is yes. And you may be surprised to hear it’s on a fast track.

An adopted plan for transit has been approved by The Regional Transportation Coordinating Council, led by John Hertel, and incorporated into SEMCOG’s long range plan through 2035.  The core components of that plan are improved bus service and higher orders of transit on Woodward and from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor. As resources permit, the system could also extend to Gratiot and M-59 – particularly in Macomb County.  It will truly change how our region moves.

Some may ask why we need a robust regional transit network when we in Metro Detroit have gone without one for so long. But the answers are clear. Of the country’s top 25 metropolitan areas, Detroit is the only one without some form of rapid transit, defined as bus rapid transit or light rail or commuter rail. That puts us at a competitive disadvantage in attracting the “knowledge base worker”, those in their late 20’s early 30’s who consistently rank transit high on their list of criteria for which Metro regions they will move to.

Another aspect to consider is the importance of transporting people to jobs and education in our region. Within the City of Detroit itself, one third of households don’t have access to a car. If we want our region working, we must have a better way of moving people around. Our aging population will also benefit. By 2030 almost 25% of Metro Detroiters will be over age 65; as driving can progressively get more difficult with age, a mass transit option will provide a safe route for those in their golden years.

In short, mass transit is part of the overall quality of life fabric that, frankly, is missing here.  That is why SEMCOG and the Michigan Department of Transportation have taken the lead on commuter rail between Ann Arbor and Detroit, and the private sector, led by Roger Penske, has a proposed high tech light rail system from the New Center Area to downtown. In addition, Detroit is exploring an expansion of that service upward to at least 8 Mile, and perhaps ultimately to 11 Mile in the fairly near future. A joint task force of SEMCOG and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition is working to generate support for the system and funding options. The Detroit Regional Chamber has long championed regional transit, and continues to offer its support.

With so many stakeholders on board, this is truly an exciting time for regional transit. However, there are still some key issues that are being worked through. First and foremost is funding, and what that will mean for taxpayers and transit users. Many proposals have been made, and many ideas are workable. Secondly, communities may not be willing to prioritize transit funding in light of other infrastructure and governance issues at hand. But there is tremendous long-term value in this investment, as it will help build a workforce and consequently contribute to economic growth.

For the latest information on transit and the overall regional plan, visit www.SEMCOG.org. Stay posted to www.OneD.org for more insight from community leadership on this vital issue. If you or your organization would like to get on board with regional transit, or if you have ideas to communicate, contact One D.