SMART Simplifies Routes in the Downriver Area
Detroit, MI (August 10, 2007) On September 3, 2007 SMART will begin extensive service changes and improvements in its bus services for downriver residents. For the past several months, SMART staff has been gaining insight from area passengers and local elected officials on what modifications are needed to meet the changing needs in the downriver area. Included in the changes are completely new routes, modifications to existing routes and some necessary reductions. Overall, the bus route system will be a straightforward network of routes giving passengers easier access, convenient connections and more opportunities to travel to various destinations.
Many of the existing routes have been established over the years creating ‘spaghetti routes’ which are difficult to understand even for seasoned bus riders. After getting input from a variety of sources SMART staff broke the bus routes into smaller, easier to understand routing making connections or transfers to other routes more convenient. This gives passengers more opportunities to travel to different destinations in a timelier, less roundabout fashion.
“After many discussions with riders and local officials, we are pleased to offer new services to the Downriver communities”, said Hayes Jones, SMART General Manager, “These changes reflect the shifting commuting patterns and take into account the overwhelming need for residents to get to their destinations in a timely and less confusing manner.”
Some communities will see buses in places they have never gone before. For Wyandotte, Goddard Road will be serviced for the first time. New services in Melvindale allow customers to connect to other routes. The new ‘Southshore’ routes provide easy, direct routing from downriver communities to many other communities.
Several NEW routes will begin on September 3.
§ 135 Southshore Express is weekday peak-hour service from downtown Wyandotte to Lincoln Park to downtown Detroit.
§ 140 Southshore connects Wyandotte, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Allen Park and Dearborn. Weekday and Saturday service. Sunday service provided between Fairlane and Fairlane Green via Oakwood Boulevard.
§ 145 Carlysle connects Melvindale to Fairlane Green and Oakwood Hospital. Neighborhood service continues in Dearborn. Service available Weekdays and Saturdays.
§ 190 Taylor Flyer provides quick connections from Allen Park and Taylor to Metro Airport and Fairlane Mall. The Taylor Flyer features faster service from Fairlane Mall to Metro Airport and Allen Park to Fairlane Mall. Weekday peak-hour service.
§ 245 Cherry Hill service from Wayne Road and Michigan Avenue. Partial replacement for route 185 Wayne Crosstown increasing coverage to Dearborn neighborhoods and West Dearborn.
Several existing routes are being modified:
§ 125 Fort Street-Eureka Road has significant modifications made to it last November (2006) which increased ridership 30 percent. Connections from Lincoln Park and Wyandotte can be made via NEW route 135 Southshore Express.
§ 150 Allen-Wick has been simplified and unproductive segments eliminated. All trips start and end at Beech Daly and Goddard in Taylor with three weekday peak-hour trips available in each direction. A new Park and Ride lot is available for passengers at the Democratic Club at Wick, east of Telegraph. 275 Telegraph provides all day service on Pardee and Goddard. 190 Taylor Flyer provides peak-hour service on Ecorse.
§ 160 Downriver has added Saturday service between Wyandotte and Trenton due to public request. Weekday trips changes with southbound service ending one hour earlier. 200 Michigan Avenue modified to start at Michigan and Middlebelt at 4:15 a.m. on the first weekday inbound trip.
§ 250 Ford Road service eliminated to Fairland Green and between Southfield Road and Evergreen Road. New 140 Southshore and 145 Carlysle replace service to Fairlane Green. Service added to Henry Ford Community College via Evergreen. Trip time adjustments on all days.
§ 255 Ford Road Express minor trip adjustments with slightly reduced afternoon service.
§ 265 Warren rerouted to service Wal-Mart at Mercury Drive. Service discontinued on Warren east of Southfield Road, along Greenfield and through Fairlane Meadows. Trip adjustments to accommodate new routing.
Some routes have been eliminated due to low ridership and demand.
§ 110 West Jefferson-Biddle discontinued. Alternate service available on 125 Fort Street-Eureka Road in River Rouge, 135 Southshore Express in Wyandotte and 830 Downriver Park and Ride in Trenton.
§ 185 Wayne Crosstown discontinued. NEW routes 140 Southshore, 145 Carlysle and 245 Cherry Hill provide service in most areas formerly served by the 185. 201 Wayne Road Shuttle discontinued. 200 Michigan Avenue and New 202 Romulus provide alternate service in most areas.
New schedules for each route are available in either print format or on SMART’s website www.smartbus.org. Call SMART Customer Information at 866.962.5515 for a printed version to be mailed to you. Many other Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county routes have also been modified. Please request the SERVICE CHANGE brochure dated September 3, 2007 for a complete list and brief descriptions of ALL SMART service changes.
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.