For Immediate Release                    

SUBJECT:  SMART, DDOT and Transit Windsor Form International Transfer: Bus Passengers Traveling Between Countries can now travel seamlessly!!

October 24, 2006 (Detroit) SMART has partnered with DDOT and Transit Windsor to develop a single transfer system that bus passengers traveling between Detroit and Windsor can now use. In the past, customers traveling between the two countries could not use transfers between the different systems
For Transit Windsor tunnel bus customers, the transfer will allow rides on DDOT and SMART at no additional cost on fixed route services. For DDOT and SMART customers, the transfer will allow a fifty-cent reduction on the Transit Windsor tunnel bus fare.  Passengers wanting to continue travelling on participating transit systems should request a transfer slip when boarding the first transit bus.  Only one transfer issued per person at time of boarding with each full paid fare.
“This may not seem like much but this partnership is the first of its kind between the U.S. and Canada and it’s been a long time coming,” said SMART General Manager Dan Dirks. “Until now, we’ve worked to coordinate our two systems, and now we have a new partner in Transit Windsor. And this program is going to flourish.”
Norm White, DDOT Director said: “This is an historic event. It’s a lot more than an agreement. It’s the first time we have sent the message that we are a union of folks concerned about people and access.”
The transfers will be effective October 30, 2006. This new pilot project will continue until April 30, 2007 and will be assessed during this period.
 “We’re excited about this, there’s a lot of buzz,” said City of Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis. “This is happening right here in our region. And we can be proud of the relationships that have been formed. It’s a two-nation concept and we can provide more service by working together.”
Penny Williams, General Manager of Transit Windsor said they were proud to be involved. “This is the start of future endeavours,” she said. “And now  we are giving our customers added value.”
SMART is the suburban transit system for Southeast Michigan providing 11 million rides annually for commuters, entry level workers, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Additional SMART information can be found at www.smartbus.org or by calling 866.962.5515.
Transit Windsor provides public transportation to the City of Windsor, as well as direct service to downtown Detroit, Comerica Park and Ford Field via the Windsor-Detroit tunnel.  Tunnel bus services depart from the Windsor downtown bus terminal at 44 University Avenue East.  Proof of citizenship is required when crossing the international Windsor-Detroit tunnel.  Additional Transit Windsor information may be found at www.citywindsor.ca/transitwidnsor or by calling 519.944.4111.
DDOT serves the City of Detroit and more than 20 suburban communities along 45 fixed route bus lines. For more information, go to www.RideDetroitTransit.com or call 888-DDOT-Bus.