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Zoom to the Zoo today!

SMART and the Detroit Zoo are teaming up to get you and your family to some family fun that will make your trip quick, easy and affordable! 

Enjoy a ride on a SMART or FAST bus to the Detroit Zoo and receive:

  • $2 off admission
  • Free fountain drinks
  • Free carousel ride
  • Free return ride

It’s easy to do!

  • Book your Detroit Zoo reservation at DetroitZoo.org or call (248) 541-5717. All guests visiting the Detroit Zoo who are not Detroit Zoological Society members are required to purchase tickets in advance.
  • Visit smartbus.org or call (866) 962-5515 to get route and schedule information
  • Tell your driver you want to Zoom to the Zoo for your ticket
  • Present your Zoom to the Zoo ticket upon Zoo admission
  • Receive all the benefits above!

What if I have a prepaid zoo ticket or membership pass?

Prepaid zoo tickets will get a free carousel ride! 

What if I have a SMART pass?

If you are a monthly pass holder, you will be issued a SMART courtesy ticket to be used anytime!

How to get there:

Direct Connections on SMART

SMART has a direct connection to the Detroit Zoo via:

Other SMART connections

The following SMART Crosstown routes provide options to transfer to FAST Woodward 461/462 for direct connections to the Detroit Zoo.

  • Route 710 - 9 Mile
  • Route 740 - 12 Mile Crosstown
  • Route 760 - 13 Mile/14 Mile Crosstown
  • Route 780 - 15 Mile Crosstown

You can also ride any FAST Route and transfer to the routes listed.

New to riding?

Excited to try out public transit for the first time, but now sure how to go about it? Not a problem.

SMART Fixed Route  

How to Ride the Bus 


Traveling with Strollers

If you’re traveling with a stroller, remember you are responsible for your own personal equipment. Strollers, even those occupied with children, shall not be stored in the wheelchair securement area. Drivers are prohibited from restraining anything other than wheelchairs, scooters, or adult strollers.

Please remember you are only able to bring as many bags and equipment as you are able to handle yourself and don’t block the aisle.

SMART Flex Microtransit Service

SMART COVID-19 Safety Playbook

SMART Service is Operating

  • All SMART service is currently operating
  • SMART FAST Routes on Gratiot, Woodward and Michigan continue service into the city
  • Updates on SMART service can be found at www.smartbus.org  

October 3, 2020, Detroit, MI:  SMART is continuing to operate its scheduled service, including SMART FAST Gratiot, Woodward and Michigan going into downtown Detroit.  During the service suspension with the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), additional buses will be placed along key SMART routes to ensure adequate service is available for riders.  For more information regarding SMART Service, Customer Service is available at 866-962-5515, Monday thru Friday 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 7:30 a.m.
until 4:00 p.m.

SMART’s commitment to safety has not changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but has led to many new safety measures, procedures and requirements for drivers and the riding public.  Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the safety of others so that people are able to get to work, grocery stores, pharmacies and medical appointments.

Per the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-147 riders are mandated to wear masks as stipulated “When waiting for or riding on public transportation, while in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle, or when using a private car service as a means of hired transportation.” This mandate is in conjunction with face mask requirement for drivers, daily driver health screenings, enhanced bus cleaning efforts and antibacterial spray treatments on buses and at SMART facilities. To ensure everyone is working together on these protocols, SMART introduced its SMART COVID-19 Safety Playbook outlining all the steps and procedures at all of its facilities, and for employees and riders.  The SMART COVID-19 Safety Playbook is available on www.smartbus.org

SMART continues to work in close coordination with our unions and to monitor the situation closely. 

REMINDERS

To help facilitate the health and well-being of others, riders are also asked to maintain proper hygiene and if they feel ill to not ride the bus in order to prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched at work and home.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.

View the SMART Video highlighting our essential workers and efforts at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNIH85uUJi0

Customer Service is Open

All SMART Customer Service representatives are available to address any questions.  Call (866) 962-5515, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For up to date information, visit www.smartbus.org

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Serving residents since 1967, SMART is southeast Michigan’s regional public transportation provider, offering convenient, reliable and safe transportation for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. SMART’s Fixed Route and small bus services connect people to employment and educational institutions, medical appointments and shopping centers. For routes and fare information, and COVID-19 Updates, visit smartbus.org or call Customer Service at 866-962-5515.

COVID-19 Updates

Posted June 8th, 2020

June 8th Service Changes

Posted June 4, 2020

SMART COVID-19 Safety Playbook coordinates our efforts to keep employees and riders safer, provide clear guidance on what to do, and make all SMART staff aware of all our COVID-19 mitigation measures – both front-and-center and behind-the-scenes. 

Posted Date 4/27/2020

April 27th Service Changes

Posted Date 4/21/2020

New Connector COVID-19 Rules

Posted Date: 4/8/2020

SMART is suspending commuter routes that will be replaced with advanced reservation shuttles. All other routes will still be running the March 31st service reduction. 

Posted Date: 4/3/2020

SMART implemented another round of service reductions starting March 31, 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, SMART is committed to providing service for those who have no other alternative transportation to make essential trips to work, grocery stores and for necessary, schedule appointments such as dialysis treatments. SMART is identified as ‘critical infrastructure’ and its employees deemed essential workers in the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21 to Stay Home, Stay Safe.

The schedule look up can be found online. 

Posted Date: 3/23/2020

SMART will continue to provide bus services after mass transit service and its workers were identified as ‘critical infrastructure’ in the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21.  Mass Transit services and our workers are listed as Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers in the published list from The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).  Read the full press release.

Posted Date: 3/19/2020

In response to the daily changes in our life related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), SMART is instituting a service reduction plan beginning Monday, March 23, 2020. Learn more at SMART Reduced Service Information

Posted Date: 3/18/2020
SMART has hired a company to perform electrostatic microbacterial spray treatments of the buses and the terminals which include the kitchens, restrooms, driver’s lounge, maintenance lounge and the front office. This service creates a coating that kills current and future germs for approximately 7 days. We will be applying this treatment regularly until further notice. The first application of the spray treatment at all three terminals was applied Wednesday night.

Posted Date: 3/17/2020
New Updates:

  • All SMART service is currently operating until further notice
  • Bus service reductions will begin soon due to declining ridership
  • Free rides continue on all service until further notice
  • Updates on SMART service can be found at www.smartbus.org  

SMART is continuing to operate full service until further notice.  However, fixed route bus service reductions will begin soon due to declining ridership. The reduced bus service is designed to maintain the existing geographic route coverage and similar hours of service with reduced frequency.  SMART will provide ample public notice prior to the reduction of service.   

SMART Takes Additional Steps in Response to COVID-19

Posted Date 3/16/2020
SMART plays an important role in protecting the health of our employees and the riding public and is taking a number of steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
See the press release below!

SMART takes steps to protect riders and employees to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Posted Date 3/14/2020
SMART wants you to know your safety and well-being is of utmost importance to us.  To ensure that we take the necessary steps, we have been actively monitoring the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to learn the best ways to address the health and safety of our drivers, riders, staff and the community.  We are following the guidance from various public health officials and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our local County Public Health Departments and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.  We also are in communication with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA).   We will continue updating this site with more information.

SMART plays an important role in protecting the health of our employees and the riding public and is taking a number of steps to prevent the spread of the virus.  The goal at SMART during these challenging times is to maintain current service levels and keep the Authority operating at full capacity. 

Steps We Are Taking

  • We are following the guidance from various public health officials and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our local County Public Health Departments and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
  • SMART staff has participated in webinars with various organizations including the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to gain any insight from other transit agencies that have experienced similar situations.
  • In communication with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA). 
  • SMART Maintenance team is performing its nightly cleaning routine. 
    • We are using CDC recommended industrial-strength antibacterial products.
    • Wiping and spraying with disinfectant high-touch areas throughout the bus and in/and around the driver seating area. 
  • We have already taken steps to prevent the spread of the virus by ordering additional anti-bacterial products for distribution to our drivers and employees.

Things you can do to prevent spreading germs

SMART has communicated with our employees on the proper hygiene to stay healthy.  We encourage, you, our riders to take these steps, as well, to keep yourself and others around you safe and stop the spread of viruses.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched at work and home.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.

Please know SMART is doing everything reasonable to make it safe for our passengers to continue to ride and prevent the spread of the virus. We are monitoring the situation and will take the necessary actions to best address this situation as it evolves.  We will be diligently updating our website, smartbus.org with any updates for our riders. 

Community Partners
Any rider looking to learn more about how their community transportation is operating during this time will need to reach out to their city or community. This information is available on our community page. 

Additional Information

Corona Virus Update (English) (Spanish) (Arabic)

Additional Resources

Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

COVID-19 Hotline, Open Seven Days a Week from 8AM-5PM. #1-888-535-6136

SMART Information Published

Officials Increase Cleaning, Sanitizing of Buses, Streetcars as Coronavirus Concerns Rise

 

 

 

 

 

June 8, 2020 Service Change

To practice safety on public transportation, commuter routes are still suspended until further notice.  For those who are impacted, advanced reservation trips can be arranged. More information can be found online

The New Schedule Look Up.

Changes effective June 8th, 2020 are as follows:

Route Changes

125 Fort - Eureka

  • Travels Eureka to Middlebelt to the Goddard Extension and enters/exits the airport at Sky Chef
  • Two stops added at Sky Chef to enter/exit airport
  • Travels to McNamara Terminal from Sky Chef then to North Terminal boarding/deboarding at both terminals before exiting the airport

Service Frequency Increases

Improved to 30 minutes

  • 125, 261, 450/460, 461/462, 495, 510, 560, 561/563, 710

Improved to 45 minutes

  • 494

Improved to 60 minutes

  • 415/420*
    • * 30 minute service between Northland and the State Fair Transit Center
  • 752, 753, 756

Shuttles and Same Day Services

The following services resume operation:

  • Groesbeck Flex Route Service
  • Oakland Mall Job Shuttle
  • Somerset Mall Job Shuttle
  • Farmington/Farmington Hills Dial A Ride

Verify schedule times on the new schedule look-up

Our Customer Service Representatives’ are available at 866-962-5515 with extended hours Monday, June 8th - Friday, June 12th from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Thank you to our incredible SMART Staff!

Working Together

Doing our part:

  • SMART is taking extra steps during this uncertain time to keep our drivers safe. We are conducting health screenings and providing face masks and hand sanitizer for the drivers to take with them while on the road.
  • Our team cleans our buses regularly, but we are putting an extra focus on nightly bus sanitizations as well as providing street teams for mid-day cleanings.  
  • We have been conducting microbacterial electrostatic spray treatments on the buses and at facilities, this treatment kills existing germs and proactively kills new germs that land on the service.
    • The spray we use lasts for seven days, but as an extra precaution we are reapplying it every five days.

Please do your part:

You can help keep yourself, other riders, and our driver’s safe while riding SMART.

  • Only ride SMART for essential trips
    • This includes necessary medical appointments, grocery and pharmacy trips, or those getting to their essential jobs.
  • Fare is free so you can board through rear doors and stay away from the front of the bus.
  • If you are able, sit separately from other passengers.
  • Wear a mask at all times while onboard. Even homemade masks from bandanas are better than going without one.
  • Most importantly, if you are sick, stay home.

 

Dart, A New Way To Pay

SMART FAST Ridership Continues to Increase!

SMART FAST Ridership Continues to Increase!

  • Woodard Avenue increased 96%*
  • Michigan Avenue increased 68%*
  • Gratiot Avenue increased 40%*

     *ridership figures compare December 2017 to December 2019 along each corridor

  • System wide ridership over the last two years has increased 20%

                                              

Detroit, Mich., February 5, 2020: FASTFrequent. Affordable. Safe. Transit. operated by SMART is going into its 3rd year of operation and by all measures it is an overwhelming success.  Since the first day of service on, January 1, 2018, ridership has exploded along the three key regional corridors on Gratiot, Woodward and Michigan Avenues. On average, there were 5,000 additional rides every weekday on the FAST corridors compared to pre-FAST.

SMART anticipated great things with FAST, however, SMART never anticipated the exceedingly positive public response and significant ridership levels to elevate so quickly. Each route saw weekday ridership numbers increase. Michigan Avenue, which travels to the airport, increased 68%. Woodard Avenue, which travels to Pontiac, increased 96%, Gratiot Avenue, which travels to 23 mile, increased by 40%.

Despite declines in public transit ridership nationally, SMART has experienced strong ridership increases throughout the system.  Over the last two years, system wide ridership has increased 20%. Incorporating the new FAST service along three of SMART’s busiest routes has helped to prompt this growth. 

 “We are very pleased with the great success of the FAST routes.  Each corridor plays an important role in connecting the suburbs to the city and helping people get to jobs, medical appointments and entertainment venues,” said John C. Hertel, General Manager at SMART, “We wanted to get this service up and running so that residents in the region could get more access to the places they needed to go and easily connect them to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Pontiac and 23 Mile road.  Our efforts have paid off with more people than ever riding SMART.”  

SMART is always looking at ways to improve service for the region.  As part of that effort, for the past 18 months, SMART initiated a Comprehensive Operational Analysis to learn more about how to best serve riders in SE Michigan and to continue growing ridership and improve efficiency. The analysis took place through a series of in-person, written, and online suggestions from everyday riders.  In February, SMART will present a plan to its Board of Directors for approval.  The SMART Path Plan will serve as a guide for the agency on future improvements to more effectively serve the region.  Innovation is a key aspect of the plan as well as implementing more FAST routes.

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