SUBJECT: Harrison Township Offers Unique Community Bus Service with Surprising Results!
Harrison Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini was just doing his job, looking for a way to improve ridership on SMART’s Community Transit service when he realized some changes needed to be made.
The residents were barely utilizing the three buses in the system, even after residents had approved the millage that opted them in. “We were paying taxes for it and not using it, so we had to get more for our money,” said Forlini.
When he approached SMART’s Macomb County Ombudsman Fred Barbret and related his concerns, Barbret’s response was simple: “What can we do to provide better service for you?”
They honed in on the Township’s location as a summer destination that borders Lake St. Clair and is rich with beaches, marinas, restaurants and small businesses catering to boaters and local residents who might want to travel from place to place without driving. They got the approval of the Harrison Township Board of Trustees and soon after, the Free Shuttle Service was launched with impressive results.
“If we had gotten 100 people to ride on a Saturday I would have been surprised,” said Forlini. In early August, they recorded a record Saturday with 150 people picking up the shuttle.
“Completely unique to any other SMART Community Transit service, the Free Shuttle Service is different because we took a microscope to Harrison Township’s very specific needs,” explained Barbret.
Forlini piqued the interest of several businesses such as Gino’s Surf and Luigi’s who collaborated by donating funds for advertising. A festive summer-themed brochure, bus wrap and brightly colored Hawaiian uniforms tie the theme together.
“We decided to do a weekend shuttle to allow boaters to get out of their marinas and to tap into the local businesses and restaurants,” explained Forlini. The Free Shuttle began weekend service Memorial Day and was planned to run through Labor Day but success has prompted Harrison Township Trustees to vote to continue running for a few more months.
“I was surprised it took off like it did,” said Driver Linda Karczewski who has an established clientele. “I have a lot of fun doing this job. I get the same people every weekend. The phone starts ringing at 9:00 a.m.”
“Wherever you are, wherever you want to go, we’ll take you if it’s in Harrison Township,” said Forlini. People who would have never used the service before are learning how to use it and requesting rides to church and for shopping. The service has also been a boon for boaters from Canada who want to get around town.
“I’m really pleased to have worked with Tony Forlini on this,” said Barbret. “He is a great friend of SMART and beyond that, he’s very much in-tune with the community. He knows how important transportation is to the residents here.”
SMART is the suburban bus system in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties and is posting record ridership with more than 12 million passengers using the service annually. SMART is recognized nationally as an innovator in community-based service and for its unique partnerships with more than 70 local communities.
For information on the shuttle service call 1-586-612-4454. For information on SMART, call Public Relations Manager Mary Ann Mohring, 313-223-2182.
Shuttle Hours are
Friday 5:00 p.m. to midnight
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to midnight
Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.