Michigan Public Act 204 was created in 1967. Under the Act, SEMTA (Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority) was responsible for public transportation services and facilities for the Southeastern Michigan region.
In 1989, Public Act 204 was amended and SEMTA was renamed SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation).

Types of Service

Fixed Route Service – Specific time points along an established route.

Connector – Curb-to-curb small bus service operated directly by SMART.

· Advanced reservation

· Job Express – Direct service from fixed route buses at an established location or stop that takes you to the door of your work site.

· Flexible Route Service – Used for passengers looking to get to an otherwise inaccessible location. Travel within a defined service area. Passengers can either board at designated time points or call SMART to get picked up at other locations within the service areas.

· Dial-A-Ride – Community Transit service that is immediate response transportation for a ride within communities offering this type service. No advanced reservations.

Community Transit – Service operated by local community partners to meet the specific needs of your neighborhood. SMART provides vehicles, funding and technical support to help local communities design and operate these services.

Facts and Figures

The SMART fleet consists of low-floor 29’, 35’ and 40’ Gillig Transit buses and 21’ and 24’ small buses. Our buses are wheelchair accessible, clean, air-conditioned and are outfitted with the latest technology.

Nearly 13 million people of all ages and incomes ride SMART buses annually. Whether commuting to work, shopping, getting to the doctor’s office or to recreational events, SMART buses will take you there.

Stops & Routes

54 Bus Routes
7000 Bus Stops
200 Shelters

Ridership

Average weekday (Fixed Route and Community Transit)	44,000
Average length of ride on Community Transit	6 Miles
Average length of ride on fixed route service	9 Miles

Demographics

· People of all ages and income use SMART for
both commuting to work and recreational activities.

· Nearly 62 percent of SMART riders do not have a car.

· Over 34 percent have been a SMART rider for 5 years or longer.

· Over 60 percent of our riders use SMART to or from work

Source: 2008 SMART Rider Survey

Fleet

No. of

Vehicle Type Vehicles

Fixed Route      284

Paratransit

- SMART Connector      110

- Community Transit Providers*      182

- Purchase of Service*      64

Total SMART Fixed Route and Paratransit Buses      640

*Vehicles owned by SMART but operated by local community.

Employees

900

Unions

Several Unions represent nearly 1,000 SMART employees. These unions are the backbone of SMART and its services:

ATU LOCAL 1564 represents:

· Fixed Route Bus Operators

· Customer Information Operators

· Certain Office and Clerical personnel

AFSCME LOCAL 1786 represents:

· Dispatchers

· Road Supervisors

· Maintenance Supervisors

· Community Transit Dispatch Inspectors

· Delivery Drivers

· Vault Pullers

TEAMSTERS Local 247 represents:

· Community Transit Vehicle Operators

· Customer Service Operators & Clerks

UAW LOCAL 417 represents:

· All Maintenance employees

SMART FACTS

History