Transit
Covering the development and stories around transit, mass transit, transportation, the RTA, SMART, DDOT, QLINE and Detroit People Mover.
The 200,000-square-foot DDOT Coolidge Terminal replaces the original facility that operated from 1928 until a fire destroyed it in 2011. After years of delays, including Detroit’s bankruptcy, the city moved forward with a full rebuild and shifted west side operations from the aging Gilbert Terminal.
I got an early look at the facility during a hard-hat tour a few months ago while it was still under construction, and it was clear this is the kind of infrastructure upgrade needed to give DDOT employees what they need to succeed.
The new complex includes three buildings: a climate-controlled storage facility for up to 120 buses, a maintenance building for repairs, and an administration building with upgraded amenities for workers including a lounge, kitchen, workout room, lockers, and showers.
Funding came largely from the federal government at $102.5 million, along with $31.5 million from the city and $25.6 million from the state.
City officials say the investment should improve reliability and efficiency while giving drivers and mechanics a modern base of operations. The site is also designed with room to expand.
The east side Shoemaker Terminal will remain in operation.
Today's show is a trifecta where we get Norris, Devon, and Jer all in the studio at once talking local stuff.
Here's the rundown:
01:43 - Shout out to Northern Lights
02:35
For a quarter century, Transportation Riders United (or TRU) has been advocating for better and more transit and transportation options for Detroiters, Metro Detroiters, and Michiganders.
Their 25th anniversary gala is coming up this week,
The 5% overall increase in service (starting today) means 13 routes will see more frequent buses, and 17 routes are to see expanded service hours on weekends, says press materials from the Detroit Department of Transportation.
This is in large part thanks to a $20 million increase in DDOT's budget, with money for additional maintenance, mechanics and bus stop staff. Another $2.7m is for more shelters and benches across the city.
45 new buses are joining the fleet, which will become nearly a quarter hybrid coaches.
Weekday Frequency Improvements
- 2-Michigan, 5-Van Dyke/Lafayette, 31-Mack: Improve daytime peak frequency to 20 minutes (up from 30 minutes)
- 3-Grand River, 7-Seven Mile, 10-Greenfield : Improve midday base to every 15 minutes (up from 20 minutes)
- 17-Eight Mile: Improve midday base service to every 20 minutes (up from 30 minutes)
- 18-Fenkell: Improve daytime frequency to every 40 minutes on weekdays (up from 45-50 minutes)
Weekend Frequency Improvements
- 1-Vernor, 5-Van Dyke/Lafayette : 45 minute daytime frequency on Sundays (up from 60 minutes)
- 3-Grand River, 6-Gratiot, 7-Seven Mile : Improve Saturday daytime service to every 20 minutes (up from 30 minutes)
- 8-Warren: 30 minute daytime frequency on Saturdays and 45 minute daytime frequency on Sundays (both up 15 minutes each)
29-Linwood: 50 minute daytime seven days/week (up from 60 minutes)
23-Hamilton/John R: 45 minute peak weekday service (up from 60 minutes)
Saturday and Sunday span improvements
17 routes will run from 7a to 9p. Previous hours had started later and ended earlier, be sure to check your schedules.
My pro tip: For now, I'm using the Transit app. I'm a regular bus rider, and having real-time tracking is quite helpful because although progress, there's still a long way to go.
Devon, Norris, and Jer respond to your listener feedback on recent stories - specifically around Michigan Central seeming to be very quiet, and the prospects for improved transit in the city and area - and get hyped
Join us as we dive into some transportation updates - like a possible new multi-modal transit hub at the campus of Michigan Central that would connect Chicago to Toronto through Detroit, to replacing an accident-
Today’s episode gets into the need to increase Detroit’s transit funding, and what advocates at Transportation Riders United (TRU) say is the path toward a better transit system in the city. Our guest
On today's all-local podcast:
- An update on the proposal to cover I-75 in downtown Detroit with parks, including funding and what's next
- New Center's potential sparks optimisim with a
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Megan
One of the projects in Detroit that's gotten a lot of
In this episode, Jer and Norris cover a variety of topics, from local transportation updates to an exciting event for coffee enthusiasts.
Welcome to your Daily Detroit for Thursday, July 18, 2024, podcasting from TechTown
It’s easy to open up your favorite social media app and think that everyone is thinking a certain way. It doesn’t matter the topic. in our always connected world, whether it’s about
Welcome to your Daily Detroit, your go-to local podcast for everything happening in Southeast Michigan. It's in two parts. First, we dive into one of Detroit's most talked-about events - the concert
It's been a busy week up at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber. But what are some of the things happening that could impact you?
State Representative Mike
We're keeping it hot on today's episode - even if we're a bit tired after watching Detroit City beat the MLS side, Houston Dynamo, in super duper late overtime.
In today's episode:
Happy Friday and Happy Tigers Opening Day! Devon and Jer are in the studio for the Friday episode.
Here's the all-local podcast rundown:
03:44 - Devon checked out the newly renovated Eatori restaurant
Metro Detroit has wrestled with a lack of comprehensive transit — far behind peer regions, and even lesser ones — for decades.
Michigan’s competitive challenges are getting to the point where even those who are among
Although a lot of attention is paid to buses and transit in the city of Detroit, the reality is the vast majority of people in Metro Detroit do not live within the city limits. Although