Detroit's Department of Transportation (DDOT) has started Bus Rapid Transit on the Jefferson 9 route. For now, it means riders won't have to wait as long for the bus. In the near future, we'll see physical improvements along the route. 

Instead of waiting 15 minutes during the week and 30 minutes on the weekend, buses are expected to come every 10 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively. 

As we move further into 2024, DDOT expects to make more changes along the route, including:

  • Temporary bus islands to decrease buses merging in and out of traffic,
  • Leading into permanent boarding islands (coordinated with DPW improvements),
  • Better shelters with information displays,
  • Consolidation of bus stops,
  • And improvements at intersections.

Examples of bus islands from a recent DDOT presentationDDOT

The bus lines runs from Rosa Parks Transit Center downtown east down Jefferson, turning around near the Grosse Pointe border.

The city says it has hired many new drivers in recent months, and pay is increasing $3 an hour for drivers. More drivers would mean better service frequency around the city.

More frequent stops will also be added to the Dexter and Fenkell lines, along with more stops during busy times along many routes in the city:

3- Grand River
13- Conner
15- Chicago/Davison
19- Fort
7- Seven Mile
27- Joy
60- Evergreen
67- Cadillac/Harper

Highlighted routes will see more frequent service.City of Detroit

These efforts are part of a larger project - DDOT Reimagined - aimed at improving mobility options around the city.