What is the SMARTer Mobility Program

SMART launched the SMARTer Mobility Program in early 2023 to evaluate their fixed route/ADA, connector general service, and the current micro transit pilot program to aid in the evaluation and analysis of the services within the region.

The goals of the SMARTer Mobility Program are to:

• • • Establish microtransit as a permanent service
    • Create a user-friendly app for all transit service
    • Ensure that services are integrated
    • Expand public transit within new service areas

SMARTer Mobility Survey Conductors can easily be identified by their SMARTer Mobility branded tee shirts and safety vests :

The surveys can be taken on the transit vehicle during your trip, from the website or if prefered, can be filled out on a paper version.  You can take the survey now electronically at https://smarter-mobility.org/

Service Changes Will Be Effective September 11, 2023.

** Route Extensions/Changes**

305 Grand River: Extended to Wixom, realigned to Grand River between Telegraph and 7 Mile [More Details] [List of New Stops]

525 Groesbeck: Now servicing Gratiot rather than Beaconsfield between Masonic and 14 Mile

740 Twelve Mile: Extended to Wixom on weekdays and Saturdays [More Details] [List of New Stops]

805 Grand River P&R: Extended to MDOT Park & Ride lot (Beck & 12 Mile) via Grand River,

Novi Road and 12 Mile [More Details] [List of New Stops]

New Stops Added:

261 FAST Michigan

• Merriman & Van Born • Michigan & Beech-Daly

450 Woodward Local Pontiac

462 FAST Woodward Pontiac-Auburn Hills [More Details]

• Woodward & Long Lake

Frequency Change:

280 Middlebelt/Beech Daly -

Trip time changes on all days, frequency changed from 60 to 75 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays

Verify schedule times on the new schedule look-up. Don’t forget to call our Customer Care

Representatives for more information. 866.962.5515

SMART is hosting an in-person hiring event. Join us to fill out an application, conduct an interview, and get hired the same day. Opportunities for bus operators, mechanics, coach service and shelter attendants and more are available.

Advance applications are available at www.CareersatSMART.com and encouraged to complete prior to arrival but are not required.

Start your career today with SMART!

SMART will be at the Oakland County Earth Day March and Rally, this Saturday April 22nd from 9am-1pm. Stop by our table to learn how SMART is doing our part in reducing our carbon footprint. 

• One SMART bus potentially eliminates 60 cars on the road
• SMART continues to add hybrid electric buses to its fleet, reducing carbon emissions
• Public transportation produces 95% less volatile carbon monoxide and about 50% as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger per mile
• SMART recycles 600 tires, 4,224 gallons of anti-freeze and 12,554 gallons of oil (motor and transmission) annually
• All SMART buses are biodiesel powered

Learn more about our FAST and SMART Flex services and you can plan your trip with us! 

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.