Detroit Transit History, Benefits, Plans, & Action

1. Detroit TransitHistory, Benefits, Plans, & Action

2. Welcome & Agenda • History & Challenges • Need & Benefits • Transit Plan & Projects • TRU and our Plan for Success • Get Involved! Followed by Questions and Discussion

3. History and Challenges

4. Region’s Long Transit History Detroit had an extensive streetcar and intercity rail system • Horse-run streetcars started in 1863 • Largest municipally owned system in 1920s • 492 million rides in 1945

5. Many Failures and False Starts • Streetcars removed in 1940s and 50s • In 1920’s – subway plan vetoed • In 1970’s – missed out on $600 million in federal funds • In 2000 – two major efforts for DARTA failed

6. Need and Benefits

7. Transit Provides Many Benefits • Saves Thousands of Dollars • Vehicle cost, gas, repairs, parking, insurance, etc = $8,000/year • Transit pass = $800/year • Less Stress • - Avoid traffic and road rage • - More time to read, work, talk, text, relax, etc

8. Transit Supports Communities • Ensure Independence and Community Participation for all • 30% of people are too young, too old, or physically unable to drive • Population is rapidly aging and will need transportation alternatives • Healthier Living through Physical Activity • People normally walk a few blocks to and from transit stations • Transit encourages more compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that encourage physical activity

9. Transit Enables Sustainability • Decrease Oil Dependence • If American’s used transit for 10% of travel, cut Middle East oil dependence by 40% • Prevent Global Warming • Transportation produces 1/3 global warming pollution • Transit cuts energy use and global warming pollution by half or more

10. Rapid Transit Promotes Prosperity • Urban Revitalization • Many people prefer to live, work, shop and play near transit stations • Transit lines often inspire billions of dollars of private investment in condos, shops, restaurants and more • Job Creation • Many rapid transit projects create over 10,000 jobs • Not only direct construction and transit operation jobs • Also jobs from new development built along transit lines • 600% Return on Investment • Every dollar invested in public transit returns on average six dollars in local economic activity

11. Most Michigan Development is for Cars Existing conditions – built around cars, not people

12. We Could Develop Differently Mix uses and build closer to the sidewalk

13. We Could Develop Differently Slow down traffic and make streets for people, not just cars

14. We Could Develop Differently Increase density by focusing development

15. Transit Supports Vibrant, Connected Communities Density supports more transportation options

16. Example of Community &Economic Development Dallas, TX Photos and Info Courtesy: Dallas Area Rapid Transit • $3.3 billion in private investment near DART stations • Property values rose 39-53% faster near transit stations • 32,000 jobs created within 6 years • Local property tax revenue annually: $78 million

17. Plan and Projects

18. Greater Detroit needs to have a well-integrated network of: • Quick commuter trainslinking the region’s cities, • High quality light railalong major corridors, • Convenient bus linesconnecting every neighborhood, • Accessible para-transit service for seniors and people with disabilities throughout southeast Michigan, • Good pedestrian and bike access throughout the region, and • High-speed trains connecting to other regions and the rest of the country.

19. Regional Transit Plan • Includes: • Improvements in bus service, information and coordination • “Arterial Rapid Transit” – frequent, high quality, hybrid buses along major corridors • Initial rapid transit on Woodward and out to Airport and Ann Arbor

20. 2011-2012 Mixed Bag for Detroit Transit • Horrendous DDOT bus service • Major SMART bus cuts • Loss of Woodward Light Rail. Street Car project reconsidered. • Regional Transit Authority enacted

21. DDOT • Management and operations: • Reduced Detroit’s subsidy to $43 million • Cuts in bus service (not enough service) • Poor timeliness & customer service • Outside management& privatization • TRU plans • Push DDOT, Bing Administration & Financial Advisory Board for improvement • Grade timeliness & customer service • Good bus service, NO MATTER WHAT!

22. Massive Cuts to SMART Service in Dec. 2011 • SMART stopped operating within Detroit, except during rush hours; • SMART eliminated 15 routes, including half of downriver service; • SMART laid off 123 employees; • SMART ended several Job Express and Shuttle services. Connector Service - the advanced reservation curb-to-curb service – continues to operate.

23. M-1Rail Woodward Streetcar • Public-private partnership for streetcar circulator from downtown Detroit to New Center • $131 million in private funds, potential $25 million federal funds • Opportunity to negotiate for community benefits agreement

24. Regional Transit Authority (RTA) - Coordinate transit service in the Wayne, Oakland, Macomb & Washtenaw Counties • Improve and expand transit, esp. rapid transit • Raise funds with voter approval • Detroit Mayor & County Execs. appoint Governing Board by mid-February • Board selects CEO • Citizens Advisory Committee • Need all hands on deck!!

25. Regional Bus Linkages • Regional rapid transit • On Woodward, Gratiot, Michigan and M-59 • Frequent express buses • RTA will determine details • Very much needed • Will take several years

26. Woodward Rapid Transit Study: Blueprint for Crossing 8 Mile SEMCOG is reviewing rapid transit options for a 27-mile corridor along Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to downtown Pontiac. Opportunities for public involvement. WoodwardAnalysis.com

27. SEMCOG 2040 Regional Plan:Make your voices heard! In June 2013, SEMCOG will determine region’s transportation priorities for next 25+ years. Will involve billions in public money. Opportunities for public involvement

28. Public Transit Funding • Comes down to funding • Detroit spends 1/3 what other cities spend • Need dedicated regional transit tax • To support existing bus service • To build new rapid transit • Regional vehicle registration fee?

29. TRU and our Plan for Success

30. Barriers and Challenges • Dozens of plans and efforts for rapid transit have failed • Lack of regional cooperation • Unwillingness to invest • Insufficient political will and public pressure

31. 10 Years of Advocacy • TRU has been working for 10 years for more and better transit • Major changes have resulted: • Blocked highway boondoggles • Improvements in bus service • SEMCOG changed voting structure • Regional planning - RTCC • Rapid Transit projects • Strong public support

32. Plan to Overcome Barriers • Monitor and participate inthe process • Build public understanding and support • Convince county and Detroit leaders to work together for an effective Regional Transit Authority • Convince the public and officials to make necessary investments – immediate and long term

33. TRU’s Role • Build the Case • Build Public Understanding and Support • Convince Elected Officials to Fund Transit • By actively engaging the public in outreaching to their elected officials • Help ensure transit is built based on national best practices and in the public’s best interest • Promote High Ridership

34. Transportation Riders United • Megan Owens, Executive Director Mowens@DetroitTransit.org • Ruth Johnson, Assistant Director Ruth@DetroitTransit.org • 500 Griswold, Suite 1650 Detroit, MI 48226 313-963-8872 www.DetroitTransit.org

35. The Michigan Suburbs Alliance:advocating regional cooperation Mission: support cooperative approaches to the challenges facing Michigan’s metro areas. Joel Batterman, Transportation Programs Coordinator joel@suburbsalliance.org www.suburbsalliance.org

36. ATU Local 26Henry Gaffney, President 650 Bus Drivers Issues Lawmakers need to make public transit a priority if our region is to be successful Supports a regional transit authority Cuts to service prevents our bus system from fully serving its constituency. www.atulocal26.com313-873-5541

37. North End Woodward Community CoalitionRev. Joan Ross Transportation Justice means a system that is: • Affordable • Involved public participation • Accessible and connected • Fair • Have public investment to provide greater basis for demanding fairness www.northendwoodward.org

38. MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength) www.mosesmi.org • Transportation for All – newly formed coalition of local transit advocates and disability advocates facilitated by TRU & Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Authority • Transportation for Michigan (Trans4M) – statewide coalition www.trans4m.org Transit Advocates

39. Questions?