The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) unveiled a draft plan for their DDOT Reimagined initiative earlier this week. The city is considering a number of improvements to the system, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and more frequent service on popular routes.
This is phase 2 of a three part initiative. Last summer, DDOT collected feedback from public meetings and surveys. This spring, they'll continue that outreach with the new plan and the new Mobile Outreach Center (seen above), which will visit locations around the city. A final plan should be released late summer or fall.
BRT would come to the busiest routes, with a possible dedicated transit lane and technology that would decrease delays at intersections.
DDOT says they will increase reliability, which has been a huge problem with the bus system here for a long time. Frequency changes too; in main routes, buses will come every 10 minutes (Woodward will be 7.5), and 20 minutes for other frequent routes.
The main routes with more frequent service include Jefferson, Gratiot, Grand River, Woodward, 8 Mile, and Greenfield. People can check how their routes could change here.
The new plan also has increased hours, with some routes running 24/7 and others running earlier in the morning.
In addition to the main corridors, the plan increases access to places like Fairlane Mall, Mack & Moross, the Old Redford Meijer, Belle Isle, Lincoln Park, the Livonia Walmarts, and the upcoming Gordie Howe International Bridge multiuse path.
The project could be funded with American Rescue Plan dollars from 2021, but other funding is possible according to Detroit's executive director of transit, Mikel Oglesby.
Read more about the plan and leave feedback here. The final plan will be presented at a public hearing later this year.
