SMART is a team of people who work tirelessly every day to ensure you get where you need to go. The past three years have been tough due to COVID and staff shortages, but the challenges provided SMART with the opportunity to adapt and improve. Through every test, we have tried to work harder to keep SMART rolling and our passengers safe.

The month of March is Transit Employee Appreciation Month and now is the time to recognize the very hard-working employees throughout the Authority.  While March 18th is designated as Transit Driver Appreciation Day, we want to take an opportunity to celebrate every transit employee and offer congratulations more than just one day!

We know the importance of our drivers, our riders and the interaction they share. We want to make sure you have the opportunity to celebrate your daily driver. Tell your driver how much you appreciate them for navigating rough roads throughout the year, with a friendly smile, and a thank you! 

SMART is inviting our riders to post their thanks on social media. Send us a private message on Facebook, or tweet at us with the #SMART Driver's name and route so we can share your appreciation for that operator!  

We would like to thank Chicken Shack for their generous support as a returning sponsor for the fifth consecutive year. Our partnership is a great collaboration between two essential organizations committed to serving the public in Metro Detroit. To continue this circle of support for our community, we’ve provided a link so you can find a nearby Chicken Shack to visit, many locations are accessible via SMART routes.

Find a Chicken Shack near you!

Token Transit App will provide DART regional passes for SMART and DDOT by improving the overall digital ticketing experience for users.

• The current Dart app, powered by Passport, ends its mobile ticketing functionality by February 28th
• 24-Hour and 4-Hour passes on both the Dart app and Token Transit app can currently be purchased
• 31-Day and 7-Day passes can only be bought via the Token Transit app

SMART/DDOT riders are asked to download the Token Transit app and create an account before March 1st and any unused purchased passes in a rider’s
Passport wallet will be transferred to Token Transit by March 1, 2023.

Riders are asked to download the Token Transit app via the Apple or Google Play store

Token Transit will provide tech support at
•    The “Help” section in the app’s settings
•    The FAQ section at support.tokentransit.com
•    Texting (415) 918-6628
•    Calling (415) 918-6536.

ADA Paratransit Service is an advanced reservation, curb-to-curb service that is provided for people who are unable to use the SMART Fixed Route bus service because of a disability. In order to use ADA service, you must be ADA certified. ADA certification requires an application process.

SMART provides ADA service during the same days and hours that the fixed route system is in operation. If a person can travel to a destination using fixed route at a certain time of day, an ADA eligible person is also able to travel to the same destination using ADA service. Likewise, if a person cannot travel to a destination using the fixed route at a certain time of day, SMART is unable to provide ADA service.  Refer to individual route schedules for times and days of travel.

A legal ADA paratransit trip should be comparable in length to an identical trip on the fixed route system, including the time necessary to travel to the bus stop, wait for the bus, actual riding time, transfers, and travel from the final stop to the person’s ultimate destination.

Each ADA trip request will be evaluated to ensure the trip is legal.  Under Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.131(a)(1)(i), transit entities must “provide complementary paratransit service to origins and destinations within corridors with a width of three-fourths of a mile on each side of each fixed route.” The measurement to destinations within the three-fourths of a mile corridor on each side of a fixed route is measured “as the crow flies” and does not vary based upon driving distance.

Some riders are given an ADA certification with conditions, meaning they have the ability to use to the fixed route bus sometimes, but are not able to at other times (ex. During winter weather and the bus stop is over 1 block away).  If the ADA certification any conditions, the schedulers will verify that all conditions have been met before scheduling the trip.

The ADA ensures the trip is ‘curb-to-curb service equal’ to that provided by the SMART fixed route system. If a passenger using fixed route must transfer from one bus to another to complete a trip, SMART has the option to transfer the ADA passenger from one bus to another.  ADA certification does not guarantee a direct trip. 

If the comparable fixed route trip requires a SMART bus and a DDOT bus, then the ADA rider will be required to transfer with Detroit Metrolift.

In some cases the comparable fixed route trip can be completed using DDOT buses, in which case Detroit Metrolift would be responsible for the ADA trip. In these cases, the rider is required to make arrangements with Detroit MetroLift.

ADA schedulers will look at the most direct path of travel required for each trip when determining if a transfer is required. 

Transfer points are chosen based on written permission of the property owner.  These points are typically open extended hours, well lit, protected from weather elements, highly visible, and wheelchair accessible.

No, SMART does not issue ADA certification cards.

Federal Government guidance does not permit SMART to issue permanent ADA eligibility.  To help keep passenger information up to date, SMART will issue 1 to 4 year ADA certifications, which may be renewed either by calling the ADA Manager or Clerk, or by filing a new ADA application.

SMART is not responsible for renewing or updating the status of an ADA Certification. To make it easier to remember, ADA certifications expire on your birthday of the expiration year. The SMART Customer Service representatives will be able to confirm when the ADA certification will expire.

If your medical condition changes and impacts your ability to access SMART fixed route, a new ADA application will need to be submitted to reflect the updated level of independence.