SMART Honored With international outstanding achievement award

November 5, 2007 (Detroit, MI) The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) was honored with a National Transit Corporate Recognition Award from the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA). SMART, The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Transit Windsor partnered to introduce the first seamless international transfer system between bus lines in North America. The Exceptional Performance/Outstanding Achievement award was presented by representatives from CUTA.

“When SMART kicked off this program one year ago, we never imagined we would be standing here today accepting this prestigious honor,” said Hayes Jones, SMART general manager. “This joint program with DDOT and Transit Windsor was developed to make the transfer between services easier on our customers. It’s an honor to be acknowledged by our international partners,” Jones said.

Prior to the International Transfer program, customers traveling between Canada and the United States could not transfer between different systems. The international transfer allows tunnel bus customers to ride on SMART and DDOT buses at no additional cost on fixed route services.

“We’re delighted at the strength and success of our partnership,” said Penny Williams, Transit Windsor’s General Manager and Chairperson of CUTA. “Our project has created interest from other systems from both sides of the border,” she said. “Transit systems across the country are aiming to increase ridership and one way to attract passengers is certainly by providing added value which this program has done.”

Passengers from Windsor may now take the tunnel bus to Detroit and then continue on a bus with SMART or DDOT to many major destination points including the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, the Detroit Zoo, Somerset Mall, Fairlane Towne Center, Great Lakes Crossing, and Metro Airport to name a few.  All by simply paying one fare on the tunnel bus leaving Windsor.

Both communities benefit from passengers using the service who go back and forth to enjoy riverfront parks, restaurants and bars, gaming establishments and shopping. 

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is the suburban bus authority in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties with regional and community transit service. SMART is recognized nationally as an innovator in community-based service and for its unique partnerships with more than 70 local communities and is posting record ridership with more than 12 million passengers annually.  For more information, go to www.smartbus.org or call Customer Information at 866-962-5515.