SMART Millage Recount Ends; Macomb County Bus Service Will Continue

The SMART millage recount appears to be over in Macomb County and the people who rely on the bus can breathe a sigh of relief. SMART services will continue to operate in all of Macomb County.
While the recount request has been withdrawn and appears to be over, SMART is waiting or the Macomb County Board of Canvassers to officially close the process. The original certified vote count will stand.
“We are thrilled to be able to get back to concentrating on doing what we do best, which is getting 70 percent of SMART riders to work and getting people with special needs and those who are unable to afford a car to the places they need to go,” said John C. Hertel, General Manager of SMART, “Now that this is over, we are going to continue to build on the successful service that has resulted in an 11 percent increase in ridership. Also, as always, we not only look forward to our collaboration with Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, but also our renewed and promising coordination efforts with the City of Detroit.”

• DDOT proposes to create unlimited 4-hour, 24-hour options, weekly and monthly passes to streamline service
• New 31-day, 4-hour, and 24-hour regional passes would eliminate additional transfer fare between DDOT & SMART
• Mobile app for mobile pass purchase, additional retail locations to provide more options for riders

DETROIT, Michigan – The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is proposing fare and transfer changes in coordination with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), designed to make using the region’s primary transit systems much simpler for riders, Mayor Mike Duggan and John Hertel, SMART General Manager announced today.

The proposed changes will streamline the fare system for riders by:

• Eliminating all transfer fares, including additional transfer fares between DDOT and SMART, allowing for seamless transfers between the two systems using new 4-hour, 24-hour and 31-day regional passes
• Reducing the number of passes from 25+ confusing choices to six easy, flexible options
• Adding a mobile fare payment app and additional retail location for tickets

“We are working every day to make our transit system better, and the fare changes will go a long way to make DDOT easier and simpler to ride,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Seamless transfers for DDOT and SMART, flexible fare options and more retail and payment choices will improve the experience for riders overall.”

The proposed changes aim to provide simpler choices and more flexibility for bus riders in Detroit and across the region. Riders can provide feedback and comments on the plan at community meetings and public hearings over the next three months. The proposal will go before City Council for approval in November. Pending approval, fare changes would be implemented starting December 1.  Any adjustments to SMART’s fares will require approval of SMART’s Board of Directors.

Building a more flexible, simple system
The proposed fare changes will simplify the fare options for riders by eliminating the current system: a confusing jumble of over 25 fare options. All new fare cards will be designed for quicker, easier boarding.
Under the new system, riders will be able to purchase:

• A 4-hour regional ride pass on any route with unlimited transfers between DDOT and SMART for $2, with a reduced fare price of .50 cents for qualified riders.
• A 24-hour regional pass with unlimited transfers between DDOT and SMART for $5, with a reduced price of $2.
• A 7-day DDOT-only pass for $17, with a reduced price of $8.
• A 7-day regional pass for $22, with a reduced price of $10.
• A 31-day DDOT-only pass for $60, with a reduced price of $17.
• A new 31-day regional pass, good for unlimited rides on both DDOT and SMART, for $70, with a reduced price of $29.  This would replace the existing Regional Pass and Regional Plus Pass.
• SMART will continue to offer the current set of SMART-only passes.

Consistent with SMART’s current practice, DDOT 7 Day and 31 Day Passes will be no longer expire at the end of the week or month. Passes will be active for the full 7 or 31 days starting on the first day of use. Weekly and monthly passes that have rolling times rather than fixed dates will give riders the full value for their money.

Seamless transfers throughout the region
DDOT and SMART are working together to allow seamless transfers between the two transit systems.  The proposed 4- and 24-hour passes and new regional pass will let DDOT riders use the same base fare ticket to transfer to SMART, ending the need to carry extra change or an additional pass just to pay for the transfer. DDOT and SMART officials say ending the fares for transfers also will reduce boarding times and eliminate confusion among bus drivers and passengers.

“Our working relationship with DDOT has never been better and we hope to continue to collaborate on projects that will benefit our riders and drivers as well as our both of our agencies,” stated John C. Hertel, General Manager of SMART, “With the elimination of the transfer fare, riders will be the biggest winners with an easier and improved riding experience.”

Moving forward SMART is committed to working with DDOT to make travel around the region easier and more convenient.  A big first step would be the elimination of the transfer fare allowing riders 4 hours of riding on any route, any direction and any system.  Additionally, the proposed changes eliminate the need for a separate SMART Regional Plus pass. All of these changes will require approval of SMART’s Board of Directors.

Easier to use, easier to purchase
While the fare changes will make it easier to choose and use passes, DDOT and SMART are also working to make it easier for riders to purchase passes by adding a mobile fare payment option.   DDOT will also add additional retail locations for ticket purchases.

A new mobile phone-based pass purchase option will allow riders to purchase and store the new unlimited regional 24-hour and 31-day regional and DDOT-only passes right on a mobile phone. After the initial release, DDOT and SMART will coordinate efforts to add additional passes to this new mobile option with the goal of all passes being available later in 2019.

DDOT is also adding 40 more retail locations citywide, including community centers and convenience stores. The new pass format will be easier for retailers to sell, and DDOT will add self-serve ticket vending machines at select locations. These locations are in addition to current places bus passes are sold. Locations will be added pending approvals in December.

Base fare to provide more flexibility with no increase to reduced rates
The new base fare for riders will be $2 for the unlimited 4-hour pass, with free transfers between DDOT buses and the SMART system. Because riders will no longer have to shell out extra change for transfers between routes and/or systems, many regional trips will be cheaper. 

Student riders (under 18 years old) will see a reduction in fares, to 50 cents from 75 cents on DDOT and $1.00 on SMART, and seniors 65 or older, Medicare card holders and individuals with disabilities will enjoy all of the new benefits at the same price, with no increase.

Community engagement key to changes
The proposed fare changes follow a community engagement process from DDOT that took public input from stakeholders about the changes and conducted a Title VI On-Board Survey and Equity Analysis. The study was federally required to ensure major transit service changes are not discriminatory.

DDOT and SMART will continue to coordinate and adjust the proposed changes throughout the public engagement process.  DDOT plans additional community meetings in August and formal public hearings in October. Following the community engagement period, the proposal will go before City Council in November for final approval.  SMART will also host public meetings and hearings prior to the proposal going before the SMART Board of Directors for final approval.  Pending approvals, the changes would be implemented in December.

For more information the proposal and schedule of community meetings, visit:
DDOT:  http://www.ridedetroittransit.com/ or call at (313) 933-1300.
SMART:  http://www.smartbus.org/ or call at (866) 962-5515.

 

SMART, more than just a bus service

SMART is teaming up with Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive and Mickey Redmond, Color Analyst for Detroit Red Wings to show a whole new side to SMART – support of emergency preparedness. Partnering with local EMS staff from Richmond/Lenox EMS, SMART is demonstrating how it can support the community during a real emergency.

“Obviously when you look around the country, for example, California, Florida and in Texas, disasters occur. You need to move personnel, citizens, or equipment quickly,” stated John C. Hertel, SMART General Manager.  “What this event demonstrates today is SMART has the ability to help in responding to a disaster and being able to do it quickly.”

For the people who ride SMART, they know it is more than just a bus.  For 70% of our riders, SMART is a ride to work, and for 20% its how they get to school.  For others, it’s a lifeline to get to dialysis or to their doctor’s appointments.  For many, SMART is their route to independence. All of our bus services provide 2.1 million annual rides for seniors and the disabled allowing them to maintain their independence and live their lives, even when they can’t drive themselves.  And, each year SMART fixed route, Connector and Community Transit service provides nearly 10 million rides, and that number is increasing – 11% this year alone!

On August 7^th, the SMART 1.0 mil proposal will be the only transit issue on the ballot.  This local funding allows SMART to continue to provide transit services throughout the region. 

Mickey Redmond supports SMART and how it helps people in the community, ensuring everyone can make it to work or necessary medical appointments.  “Because SMART is so important to so many, its important for you as citizens to get out and vote.”

 

Serving residents since 1967, SMART is southeast Michigan’s only 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, visit smartbus.org.

Independence Day is this Wednesday, July 4th and we will be operating our holiday service that day. You will want to note adjustments to prepare for your commute by keeping in mind that customer service and the Royal Oak Transit Center will be closed on Wednesday. If you need to stop in and purchase a fare card, please plan accordingly. Have a safe and happy Fourth!

 

Fixed Route

• Operating Sunday service

• Customer Service - Closed

• Downtown and Royal Oak Transit Centers - Closed

 

Connector

The following services will not operate:

• Connector

• Somerset Shuttle

• Oakland Mall Shuttle

• Farmington/Farmington Hills Dial-A-Ride

• Groesbeck Flex Route Service Customer Service is closed

 

Be sure to book your Connector and/or ADA trip by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday,

July 3rd for trips on Thursday, July 5th

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th

Prearranged ADA trips will operate as scheduled on Wednesday, July 4.

 

Call Customer Service for additional details.

Know before you go . . .

 

Starting Monday, June 18^th, the following routes are changing:

 

ROUTE CHANGES

 

261 FAST Michigan

445 Woodward Telegraph Limited

465 Auburn Hills Limited

730 Ten Mile Crosstown

 

TIME CHANGES

261 FAST Michigan

465 Auburn Hills Limited-F 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

730 Ten Mile Crosstown

 

Check out the new schedule look up at:

http://www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules?ShowNewSchedules=true

 

All customers should verify their new schedule for updated routes and times. New schedules and Service Bulletins can be viewed online. And don’t forget, you can rely on our Customer Service Representatives to answer any service questions!

 

 

Thank You for Riding SMART!

 

UPDATED:

Due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, there will be a delay on the July 2018 Regional & Regional Plus Passes in third-party retail outlets.  These passes are now available at the Royal Oak Transit Center and the Downtown Retail Office.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but we hope to have these passes available by mid next week, the week of June 17-23. Please be sure to contact one of our retail centers before stopping in to ensure the pass will be available. You can reach us at 866.962.5515.
 
Learn more about where and how you can purchase passes online at:
https://www.smartbus.org/Fares/Buy-Passes

Detroit’s annual fireworks are happening Monday, June 25!

 

Downtown is going to be difficult to drive with the added foot traffic, detours, and even more people rushing to the city to see the show. You can avoid all of that and still get a great view of the fireworks by riding FAST. Check out the detours below so you know before you go and can plan for a safe and fun night out. 

 

In the spirit of the annual firework celebration, several local businesses have kindly lent their lots to act as temporary Park and Rides. For one night and one night only, you can park at any of the following locations  to catch the nearest FAST bus to get downtown for the show:

       

Route 261 – Dearborn Transit Center

Route 261 – Westborn Kroger

Route 261 – Dearborn Plaza Kroger

Route 461/462 – Troy Civic Center

Route 461/462 – 13 & Coolidge at the Golf Center 

Route 561/563 – Meijer Park & Ride

Route 561/563 – North River Park & Ride

Route 561/563 – Lowe’s at 15 and Gratiot. Please park in the area between Lowe’s lumber loading area and Revolution Laser Tag

Be sure to know before you go and familiarize yourself with the detours that will be followed the night of the fireworks: 

261 FAST Detroit Fireworks Detour 6 25 18

461 462 FAST Detroit Fireworks Detour 6 25 18

561 563 FAST Detroit Fireworks Detour 6 25 18

Please use the map below to fully plan your trip and how you will get to Hart Plaza from your stops.

The SMART Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 2:00 PM. This meeting will be held in SMART’s Board room located on the sixth floor of the Buhl building, 535 Griswold Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226.  

This meeting is open to the public.