Fixing Public Transit in Detroit Kellen James Todd Losey Matt Mohr

Detroit Public Transit Major Players through History Detroit United Railway Detroit United Railway Southeast Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) Southeast Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA)

Detroit United Railway Route

Timeline A Cleveland syndicate consolidates several independent interurban operations under one entity-Detroit United Railway A Cleveland syndicate consolidates several independent interurban operations under one entity-Detroit United Railway The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission prepares the first regional transportation plan, recommending a multi-modal system. Mayor James Couzens vetoes a bond issue to create a subway system The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission prepares the first regional transportation plan, recommending a multi-modal system. Mayor James Couzens vetoes a bond issue to create a subway system Grand Trunk Western Railroad announces a system of rapid transit between Detroit and Pontiac utilizing rail with overhead toll expressway. The plan called for 25 electrified commuter trains a day in each direction and an auto speedway over the rails to be supported by concrete columns. The stock market crash ended these plans Grand Trunk Western Railroad announces a system of rapid transit between Detroit and Pontiac utilizing rail with overhead toll expressway. The plan called for 25 electrified commuter trains a day in each direction and an auto speedway over the rails to be supported by concrete columns. The stock market crash ended these plans Detroit voters approve a subway plan. The state advisory board refuses to recommend construction to the federal government Detroit voters approve a subway plan. The state advisory board refuses to recommend construction to the federal government

Timeline Metro Detroit streetcar service ceases after 93 years of streetcar and interurban history. The last streetcar ran on the Woodward line downtown Metro Detroit streetcar service ceases after 93 years of streetcar and interurban history. The last streetcar ran on the Woodward line downtown President Gerald Ford offers the southeast Michigan region $600 million to build a rail transit system. Except for the People Mover, it never happens President Gerald Ford offers the southeast Michigan region $600 million to build a rail transit system. Except for the People Mover, it never happens The People Mover begins operation. The final cost was $67 million per mile--three times the cost of a typical new trolley system and 30 times the cost to restart commuter rail service The People Mover begins operation. The final cost was $67 million per mile--three times the cost of a typical new trolley system and 30 times the cost to restart commuter rail service.

Timeline SMART warns that a shutdown will be necessary without more suburban funding and a merger with DDOT SMART warns that a shutdown will be necessary without more suburban funding and a merger with DDOT SMART and DDOT establish a common regional bus pass and announce plans to consolidate services. The consolidation dies during negotiations SMART and DDOT establish a common regional bus pass and announce plans to consolidate services. The consolidation dies during negotiations DDOT ends suburban service, and SMART picks up the stranded ridership DDOT ends suburban service, and SMART picks up the stranded ridership General Motors removes the commuter rail spur west of Rivard Street to the Renaissance Center to make room for a parking deck. MDOT announces a plan to extend I-375 further toward the river, eliminating future downtown rail access permanently General Motors removes the commuter rail spur west of Rivard Street to the Renaissance Center to make room for a parking deck. MDOT announces a plan to extend I-375 further toward the river, eliminating future downtown rail access permanently A study is conducted to determine the advantages of merging DDOT and SMART, concluding status quo is best A study is conducted to determine the advantages of merging DDOT and SMART, concluding status quo is best.

Timeline The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce spearheads legislation to create a Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority. Metropolitan Affairs Coalition releases its final report for a regional Bus Rapid Transit system, named "SpeedLink.“ The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce spearheads legislation to create a Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority. Metropolitan Affairs Coalition releases its final report for a regional Bus Rapid Transit system, named "SpeedLink.“ Legislation to create the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) is vetoed by the governor Legislation to create the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) is vetoed by the governor DARTA is created through an inter-governmental agreement that includes the City of Detroit, SMART, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne Counties. Six months later, the court declares the procedure utilized to transfer powers in creating the agreement is illegal DARTA is created through an inter-governmental agreement that includes the City of Detroit, SMART, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne Counties. Six months later, the court declares the procedure utilized to transfer powers in creating the agreement is illegal.

Detroit People Mover 2005

People Mover Problems

“The Train to Nowhere” 2.9 Mile Loop covers an area of approximately 0.55 square miles. 2.9 Mile Loop covers an area of approximately 0.55 square miles. Cars run nearly empty on a daily basis. Cars run nearly empty on a daily basis. During the fireworks, the auto show, and other big events the cars are overwhelmed and unsafe. During the fireworks, the auto show, and other big events the cars are overwhelmed and unsafe. The City of Detroit loses $5.00 for every rider. The City of Detroit loses $5.00 for every rider.

It services the least populated area of Detroit It services the least populated area of Detroit

The Answer? Light Rail!

Just a few cities that already have light rail systems….

Denver

Sacramento

Dublin

Houston Portland

and Salt Lake City

Light Rail Works Utah studies showed building public transit instead of highways saves money by stopping sprawl. Utah studies showed building public transit instead of highways saves money by stopping sprawl. Sprawl creates the need for the construction of expensive and high maintenance road, sewer, and water systems. Sprawl creates the need for the construction of expensive and high maintenance road, sewer, and water systems. Detroit desperately needs to rebuild its interior rather than building bigger highways out of it. Detroit desperately needs to rebuild its interior rather than building bigger highways out of it.

Citizen Support Citizens in three Utah counties voted for a sales tax increase of.25% that generates $47 million annually for public transit use. Citizens in three Utah counties voted for a sales tax increase of.25% that generates $47 million annually for public transit use. This money leveraged billions more from the federal government to build more transit lines. This money leveraged billions more from the federal government to build more transit lines.

Further Expansion Utah has just purchased enough right of way for a 300 mile regional transit system. Utah has just purchased enough right of way for a 300 mile regional transit system. In November, Denver voters approved 119 more miles of light and commuter rail, 18 miles of rapid bus routes, and 57 new rail stations. In November, Denver voters approved 119 more miles of light and commuter rail, 18 miles of rapid bus routes, and 57 new rail stations.

Our Plan for Detroit…

Current

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Light Rail Car Design

Possible Advertising Space

Given this information we are confident Light Rail is feasible in Detroit. Besides, it has worked here in the past….

…The End