Bus travel when you want it, not when you can-but DDOT needs you to do so

Detroit Department of Transportation "We help residents and visitors get to their destination." Is their motto. Most of the city is serviced. In 2022 the research began to improve the DDOT System. It was discovered that the last update was in 2013. Typically, this is done every five years. The development team did a lot of public outreach numerous times and they came up with three things: new strategies, technology and amenities.

Currently, the bus runs every 30- minutes on main roads and every hour on submain roads. The website is very informative (www.ddot.info). One thing that stood out is the upfront banner to work at DDOT. It is a career opportunity and part of the DDOT Reimagined Plan to regrow the operation. To better service the city, the department needs more people to operate the buses first and foremost. "We need more people, they are doing that right now," says a DDOT bus driver at the new State Fair Transit Center.

On May 11, 2024, the new transit center – Jason Hargrove Transit Center at 1121 Eight Mile Rd opened. This State Fair Grounds transit was named after the bus operator who died in April of 2020. There are five routes serviced here: Woodward, Conant, 8 Mile, Livernois, and Wyoming. The center runs 24 hours a day, has kiosks for bus passes, service attendants, a lounge and guest restrooms. There is ton of shelter space outside as well to keep dry and cool while waiting.

A young man admiring the new center was waiting to take the bus to the suburb. "This is my first time here," he says, "I'll drive anywhere in the city, when I cross Eight Mile, I take the bus." It had been five years since the gentleman took a bus. The new center does make taking the bus more attractive.

However, that is just a small step in a bigger problem DDOT riders have with the system. "I don't really see no improvements," said Myaa Behavioral Technician, CNA, Canvasser and government worker. She has been taking the bus for six months since moving to Detroit from Grand Rapids. "Like right now I was supposed to be on the bus at 9:40 a.m. and I'm still waiting on the bus." The time was 9:47 a.m. "And it says it's already gone, and no bus has pulled up yet," referring to her phone information. The DDOT website offers a couple of ways to live time track buses, as well as various forms on which you can access this information, like the DDOT app.

To help improve this, Myaa suggests, "Make sure they hire people that come to work on time instead of just shutting the buses down because that bus driver didn't come to work that day." Myaa is a busy woman, and one late bus will put her behind schedule.

There have been many updates to the service. Technology-wise there have been improvements; Live tracking, updated routes detours, and schedules. Plus, an updated application for bus users. DDOT has held meeting informational and feedback sessions. For issues with bus shelters and the likes there are forms to fill out and applications for special rates and fare prices.

DDOT is the largest service in Detroit, Michigan. This will be a multiyear service operating and mobility plan. The plan which takes community preferences and priorities as the main focus. DDOT plans for an attractive system – fast, frequent, reliable, where you can travel to work, home and play areas. The bus system is a critical essential service for access to jobs, educational opportunities and promoting economic development. DDOT needs more transportation operates' to see this plan executed and to better service the City of Detroit.