ADA FAQs

SMART Service Changes

Know before you go!
 
SMART is focused on continuously growing and improving our services. To support this effort we have reviewed our current service and are making a few changes to keep things running smoothly – starting April 2, 2018! Modifications include time changes, route changes, and a new name. 

REAL TIME ARRIVAL NOW AVAILABLE
The real time arrival Bus Tracker on select SMART routes is now working and will display the real time arrival information for the routes that were modified on April 2. 
 
NEW SCHEDULE
The map below shows the new stops available in the Downtown area. Be sure to double check your schedules based on your route at:
NEW Schedule Look Up

Riders will find TIME CHANGES on the following routes:

• 261 FAST Michigan
• 450/460 Woodward Local 
• 461/462 FAST Woodward
• 465 Auburn Hills Limited
• 561/563 FAST Gratiot
• 780 Fifteen Mile Crosstown

ROUTE CHANGES include
• 261 FAST Michigan
• 461/462 FAST Woodward
• 563 FAST Gratiot

NEW ROUTE NAME
Due to technical difficulties Route 849 Northland Loop Park and Ride signs will continue to read Route 851 Park and Ride on April 2nd.
• 849 Northland Loop*
*These trips were originally part of the 851 service change. The new 849 route name will eliminate confusion as to the final destination.

 
All customers should verify their new schedule for updated routes and times. Click on the link to see the New Schedules and Service Bulletins online. Don’t forget, you can rely on our Customer Service Representatives to answer questions or offer any additional information. Please call SMART Customer Service to talk to a representative at (866) 962-5515.

SMART Sponsors MI Earth Day Festival

SMART Bus is a Proud Sponsor of the MI Earth Day Fest, one of the planet's largest and liveliest Earth Day celebrations. 

There's tons for kids and families to see and do the Fri-Sun April 20-22 in the Rochester Municipal Park/City Center, including family-friendly entertainment, arts & crafts, activities, tiny house tour, a parade, prizes, Avengers movie stuff, straw bale climb, RARA Recreation Fun Run, kids exhibits, yummy food & snacks, art and solar contest awards, and much more. Admission is free and open to all ages. Check out the MI Green Team website for more information!

Holiday Service

Memorial Day is this Monday, May 28th. We will be operating our holiday service that day and you will want to note adjustments to prepare for your commute. Please keep in mind that customer service and the Royal Oak Transit Center will be closed on Monday. If you need to stop in and purchase a fare card please plan accordingly.

Fixed Route

  • Operating Sunday service
  • Customer Service – Closed
  • Downtown and Royal Oak Transit Centers – Closed

Connector

The following service will not operate:

  • Connector
  • Somerset Shuttle
  • Oakland Mall Shuttle
  • Farmington/ Farmington Hills Dial-A-Ride
  • Groesbeck Flex Route Service Be sure to book your Connector and /or ADA trip by 4:00 p.m. on Friday May 25th for trips on Tuesday, May 29th

Be sure to book your Connector and /or ADA trip by 4:00 p.m. on Friday May 25th for trips on Tuesday, May 29th

 

Prearranged ADA trips will operate as scheduled on Monday, May 28th.

Visit our website or call Customer Service for additional Details.

Tell your employer!

Stay Safe At Your SMART Stop

 

We ensure our drivers are well-trained and our buses are maintained to keep you safe on the road, but are you staying safe while you wait? Earlier sunsets and snow can make it difficult for our bus drivers and other motorists to see you consider wearing a bright article of clothing and use your cell phone light to flag your bus.   Other tips to increase bus stop safety:

 

• Attach a light to your coat or backpack.
• Stand in a well-lit area while waiting for the bus.
• Board the bus mindfully by using handles when boarding and deboarding the bus to avoid
  slipping.
• Use SMART BusTracker to follow your bus and wait inside, if possible.
• If your stop is snowed in wait in a cleared off area near your stop and flag down your driver.
  Snow covered curbs and streets can be slippery.

 

Please remember the importance of dressing for the weather as your wait times may increase due to rough road conditions. While it takes a lot of snow to stop SMART service, it might slow us down as our drivers navigate snowy streets.  As always, SMART’s motto is “Safety First”.  Prepare for delays by checking your bus in real time on the SMART Tracker app.  You may want to catch an earlier bus if you must be somewhere at a specific time. 
If you find that your usual stop is inaccessible due to snow, please stand in the closest driveway or sidewalk to your stop that is cleared.  Your driver will be looking out for you, but we recommend hailing your approaching bus, especially where there are mounds of snow.  Please watch your step as you board, as streets can be slippery, and feel free to use the hand rails while boarding. 


 

Driver Appreciation Day!

Public transit connects thousands of people to jobs, school and appointments every day, a service provided by our army of dedicated drivers. Everyday residents all over our region don’t have to worry about parking, road conditions, or the general stresses of driving, because our drivers handle it, and we want to thank them. Transit Driver Appreciation Day will be observed on March 16th this year and to thank the drivers for navigating particularly rough roads throughout the year, and especially this winter.   

Send your thoughts and thanks to your driver on Transit Driver Appreciation day, by picking up a Thank You card at one of the following locations:

Royal Oak Transit Center

Downtown Detroit Office

Online (options 1, 2, 3 or 4)

Thank you to the Detroit area Wendy’s for donating 500+ gift cards to make our driver’s day just a little more special. Public transit supports the local community and Detroit Area Wendy’s stepped up to support public transit by showing appreciation for the drivers.  To continue this circle of support for our community we’ve provided a link so you can find a nearby Wendy’s to visit, many via SMART routes.

Find a Detroit Area Wendy's near you!

Finalizing our plans

With Rider Feedback, SMART Moves to Finalize New Service

After five successful sessions, the Public Hearings for SMART’s proposed services have come to an end.  We appreciate everyone who came out to share their opinions and provided us feedback and we were happy to have been able to speak with so many of you.

Now, our team will be moving forward to finalize the routes and services with your comments and suggestions in mind. Be sure to keep an eye out for these updates!

Get Ready...

Staying Visible this Fall

As the days get shorter this time of year, many of us are catching the bus before the sun comes up or at night.  Here are a couple of tips to help keep you safe and easily seen by your driver at your stop.

  • Be visible – wear light or bright color clothing to make yourself visible to an approaching bus.
  • Flag the bus – Be sure to wave your arm to signal the driver that you would like to board.
  • Find some light – If your bus stop is not under a street light, hold up a flashlight or cell phone light while flagging the bus.
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