Fixing Fixing Public Transit Public Transit in Detroitin Detroit

Kellen Kellen JamesJames

Todd Todd LoseyLosey

Matt MohrMatt Mohr

Detroit Public TransitDetroit Public TransitMajor Players through HistoryMajor Players through History

Detroit United RailwayDetroit United Railway Southeast Michigan Transportation Southeast Michigan Transportation

Authority (SEMTA) Authority (SEMTA) Detroit Department of Transportation Detroit Department of Transportation

(DDOT) (DDOT) Suburban Mobility Authority for Suburban Mobility Authority for

Regional Transportation (SMART) Regional Transportation (SMART) Detroit Area Regional Transportation Detroit Area Regional Transportation

Authority (DARTA) Authority (DARTA)

Detroit United Railway Detroit United Railway RouteRoute

TimelineTimeline 1901 1901 - A Cleveland syndicate consolidates several  independent - A Cleveland syndicate consolidates several  independent

interurban operations under one entity-Detroit United Railwayinterurban operations under one entity-Detroit United Railway 19191919 - The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission prepares the first - The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission prepares the first

regional transportation plan, recommending a multi-modal regional transportation plan, recommending a multi-modal system. Mayor James Couzens vetoes a bond issue to create a system. Mayor James Couzens vetoes a bond issue to create a subway system subway system

1929 1929 - Grand Trunk Western Railroad announces a system of - Grand Trunk Western Railroad announces a system of rapid transit between Detroit and Pontiac utilizing rail with rapid transit between Detroit and Pontiac utilizing rail with overhead toll expressway. The plan called for 25 electrified overhead toll expressway. The plan called for 25 electrified commuter trains a day in each direction and an auto speedway commuter trains a day in each direction and an auto speedway over the rails to be supported by concrete columns. The stock over the rails to be supported by concrete columns. The stock market crash ended these plans. market crash ended these plans.

1933 1933 - Detroit voters approve a subway plan. The state - Detroit voters approve a subway plan. The state advisory board refuses to recommend construction to the advisory board refuses to recommend construction to the federal government federal government

TimelineTimeline 19561956 - Metro Detroit streetcar service ceases - Metro Detroit streetcar service ceases

after 93 years of streetcar and interurban history. after 93 years of streetcar and interurban history. The last streetcar ran on the Woodward line The last streetcar ran on the Woodward line downtown.downtown.

19761976 - President Gerald Ford offers the southeast - President Gerald Ford offers the southeast Michigan region $600 million to build a rail transit Michigan region $600 million to build a rail transit system. Except for the People Mover, it never system. Except for the People Mover, it never happens. happens.

1987 1987 - The People Mover begins operation. The final - The People Mover begins operation. The final cost was $67 million per mile--three times the cost of cost was $67 million per mile--three times the cost of a typical new trolley system and 30 times the cost to a typical new trolley system and 30 times the cost to restart commuter rail service. restart commuter rail service.

TimelineTimeline 1991 1991 - SMART warns that a shutdown will be - SMART warns that a shutdown will be

necessary without more suburban funding and a necessary without more suburban funding and a merger with DDOT. merger with DDOT.

1996 1996 - SMART and DDOT establish a common regional - SMART and DDOT establish a common regional bus pass and announce plans to consolidate services. bus pass and announce plans to consolidate services. The consolidation dies during negotiations. The consolidation dies during negotiations.

19981998 - DDOT ends suburban service, and SMART picks - DDOT ends suburban service, and SMART picks up the stranded ridership up the stranded ridership

1999 1999 - General Motors removes the commuter rail spur - General Motors removes the commuter rail spur west of Rivard Street to the Renaissance Center to west of Rivard Street to the Renaissance Center to make room for a parking deck. MDOT announces a plan make room for a parking deck. MDOT announces a plan to extend I-375 further toward the river, eliminating to extend I-375 further toward the river, eliminating future downtown rail access permanently. future downtown rail access permanently.

20002000 - A study is conducted to determine the - A study is conducted to determine the advantages of merging DDOT and SMART, concluding advantages of merging DDOT and SMART, concluding status quo is best. status quo is best.

TimelineTimeline 2001 2001 - The Detroit Regional Chamber of - The Detroit Regional Chamber of

Commerce spearheads legislation to create a Detroit Commerce spearheads legislation to create a Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority.  Metropolitan Area Regional Transportation Authority.  Metropolitan Affairs Coalition releases its final report for a regional Affairs Coalition releases its final report for a regional Bus Rapid Transit system, named "SpeedLink.“Bus Rapid Transit system, named "SpeedLink.“

20022002 - Legislation to create the Detroit Area Regional - Legislation to create the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) is vetoed by the Transportation Authority (DARTA) is vetoed by the governor. governor.

20032003 - DARTA is created through an inter- - DARTA is created through an inter-governmental agreement that includes the City of governmental agreement that includes the City of Detroit, SMART, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Detroit, SMART, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne Counties. Six months later, the court declares Wayne Counties. Six months later, the court declares the procedure utilized to transfer powers in creating the procedure utilized to transfer powers in creating the agreement is illegal.the agreement is illegal.

Detroit People Mover Detroit People Mover 20052005

People MoverPeople MoverProblemsProblems

““The Train to Nowhere”The Train to Nowhere”

2.9 Mile Loop covers an area of 2.9 Mile Loop covers an area of approximately 0.55 square miles.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 During the fireworks, the auto show, and other big events the cars are other big events the cars are overwhelmed and unsafe.overwhelmed and unsafe.

The City of Detroit loses $5.00 for every The City of Detroit loses $5.00 for every rider.rider.

It services the least populated area of It services the least populated area of DetroitDetroit

The Answer?The Answer?

Light Rail!Light Rail!

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

DenverDenver

SacramentoSacramento

DublinDublin

HoustoHoustonn

PortlaPortlandnd

and Salt Lake Cityand Salt Lake City

Light Rail WorksLight Rail Works

Utah studies showed building public Utah studies showed building public transit instead of highways saves money transit instead of highways saves money by stopping sprawl.by stopping sprawl.

Sprawl creates the need for the Sprawl creates the need for the construction of expensive and high construction of expensive and high maintenance road, sewer, and water maintenance road, sewer, and water systems. systems.

Detroit desperately needs to rebuild its Detroit desperately needs to rebuild its interior rather than building bigger interior rather than building bigger highways out of it.highways out of it.

Citizen SupportCitizen Support

Citizens in three Utah counties voted Citizens in three Utah counties voted for a sales tax increase of .25% that for a sales tax increase of .25% that generates $47 million annually for generates $47 million annually for public transit use.public transit use.

This money leveraged billions more This money leveraged billions more from the federal government to build from the federal government to build more transit lines.more transit lines.

Further ExpansionFurther Expansion

Utah has just purchased enough right Utah has just purchased enough right of way for a 300 mile regional transit of way for a 300 mile regional transit system.system.

In November, Denver voters approved In November, Denver voters approved 119 more miles of light and commuter 119 more miles of light and commuter rail, 18 miles of rapid bus routes, and rail, 18 miles of rapid bus routes, and 57 new rail stations. 57 new rail stations.

Our Plan for Our Plan for Detroit…Detroit…

CurrentCurrent

Step Step 11

Step Step 22

Step 3Step 3

Step 4Step 4

Light Rail Car DesignLight Rail Car Design

Light Rail Car DesignLight Rail Car Design

Possible Advertising Possible Advertising SpaceSpace

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

……The EndThe End