1. What is the SMART Bus Roadeo? 
SMART’s Bus Roadeo is an annual safety and skills competition for bus Operators who volunteer to apply and participate. It involves a pre-trip inspection as well as a behind-the-wheel test in which drivers navigate an obstacle course and execute maneuvers such as the Serpentine, Offset Street, and Rear Dual Clearance.

2. Who can compete?
Any bus Operator meeting the minimum requirements listed on the online application. 

3. When will the online application for the Bus Roadeo be available?
The online application will be available to all Operators starting May 1, 2025 – June 13, 2025. Operators can apply by scanning the QR code at the bottom of this page.

4. Where and when will the Bus Roadeo competition take place?
SMART’s Bus Roadeo will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi on Sunday, September 7th.

5. Will competitors have an opportunity to practice prior to the Bus Roadeo?
Yes, competitors will be contacted directly to schedule their practice time in August.

6. Will I be paid to compete?
No, practice and the competition are both unpaid time.

7. Do I have to wear my uniform?
During practice, the Operator's uniform is not required, but proper footwear is required. On competition day, competitors are required to wear their uniform. There will be a uniform inspection worth 50 points during check-in on the competition day, Sunday, September 7^th.

8. Do I have to be on time for practice and competition?
Yes, everyone will be scheduled for a certain time, and the schedule must be maintained to start and end the event on time.

9. Do competitors go through the defect bus?
Yes, the Bus Operator competition includes a scored pre-trip inspection.

10. Is there a time limit for the course?
Yes, the course time limit is 7 minutes. Points will be deducted for every second over 7 minutes, and competitors will be stopped and removed from the course if they reach the 10-minute mark.

11. Does the smoothness of operation count?
Yes, you will be observed and scored accordingly by the On-Board Judge.

12. Does speed count?
Yes, your speed within the diminishing clearance obstacle must be at least 20 mph.

13. Can I bring my family to the Roadeo?
Yes, they can come and enjoy the festivities and competition. Spectator areas are available for the Bus Operator course and there will be a Kid Zone for family-friendly activities.

14. Is this competition weather dependent?
No, the event will take place rain or shine. In the event of extremely threatening weather, a SMART Official will evaluate conditions and will decide whether to proceed with the event. The primary factors to be considered are the safety and welfare of all personnel, attendees, and the protection of the equipment.

15. What does the winner receive?
The winner will represent SMART at the APTA Bus Roadeo in May 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The trip includes airfare, hotel accommodations, per diem for food, registration to compete, and paid time off.

 

The bus operator's primary job is to operate the bus safely. If problems arise on the bus, the bus operator's priority is to determine if a passenger's safety or security is at stake. The operator will assess the severity of the problem and the resources available and respond accordingly. The bus operator, at his/her discretion and dependent on the circumstances, may choose to talk to the passenger, call for assistance, submit a MISC report on the incident at the end of their shift, or take no immediate action. In the case of minor infractions of the code of conduct, SMART’s general guideline for the operator would be to continue the route rather than inconvenience other riders by delaying service unless the situation requires immediate attention.

To help ensure the safety, security, comfort, and convenience of all those who use our services, please "ride right." When you ride right, you treat others as you would like to be treated and show respect for your bus operator, fellow passengers, and the transit vehicles and facilities you use.

This Saturday, January 18^th, Ride SMART to cheer on the Lions as they take on the Washington Commanders at Ford Field! Skip the hassle and cost of parking: Let our express shuttles take you within walking distance of the game and other downtown destinations for just $2 each way.

Five shuttle routes will operate from Park & Ride destinations across Metro Detroit to Grand Circus with departures every hour from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. Return service will start at 9:00pm and run through midnight.

For more information and to plan your trip, view our service guide for Saturday.

Know Before You Go! Download Transit to track shuttles in real-time, and Token Transit to pay using your phone. Shuttles will also accept cash.

Thank you for riding SMART, and goooooooo Lions! 🏈

 

SMART Board of Directors Meeting will be held at 2pm at the Buhl Building downtown Detroit Thursday, January 23rd.

Public Participation will only be available for members of the public attending in person or those who email comments per the process outlined below. All physically present at the meeting must adhere to the following: Please respect anyone needing or choosing to wear a mask. People with symptoms of COVID-19 or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. People who are positive for COVID-19 may not attend the Meeting in person and should access the recording at the YouTube link below.

The agenda can be found on SMART’s website: http://www.smartbus.org/About/Our-Organization/Board-of-Directors/Board-Meeting-Schedule Members of the public may attend in person. The Meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube and available at the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/@MySMARTBus. Members of the public may also submit a written comment to be read during the Public Comment period by emailing SMARTBoard@smartbus.org by 1:45 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Public Comment will proceed as follows: All comments: 3-minute limit per member of the public. Kindly state your name and city of residence. Public comments will be received in the following order: Members of the public who attend in person. Written comments via email. The Board Administrator will read any submitted comments.

COMING FEB 2025

Known as the “Father of Black History”, Carter G. Woodson was a historian and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the Journal of Negro History, and “Negro History Week."

 

Check the Park & Ride Schedules Now So You Can Plan Your Trip to the Draft Experience This Week!

 

FY 2021

Date	Meeting Minutes	Additional  Documents
July 23, 2020	Approved Minutes
August 27, 2020	Approved Minutes
September 24, 2020	Approved Minutes
October 22, 2020	Approved Minutes
November 19, 2020	Approved Minutes
Decmber 10, 2020	Audit Committee Meeting	Audit Packet
Dcember 10, 2020	Approved Minutes
January 28, 2021	Approved Minutes
February 25, 2021	Approved Minutes
March 25, 2021	Approved Minutes
April 22, 2021	Approved Minutes
May 3, 2021	SPECIAL BOARD MEETING	Agenda
May 3, 2021	NEW - BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING	Agenda   Budget Committee Index   SMART FY 22 Proposed Budget   2022 Transition Memo
May 5, 2021	GM Search Committee MEETING	Agenda
May 18, 2021	GM Search Committee MEETING	Agenda
May 26, 2021	GM Search Committee MEETING	Agenda
May 27, 2021	GM Search Committee MEETING	Agenda
May 27, 2021	Approved Minutes
June 9, 2021	GM Search Committee Meeting	Agenda
June 24, 2021		Remote Board Packet Agenda

 

HOURS

Daily service, Monday - Friday

4:00 a.m. - 11:15 p.m.

For route and scheduling information, call (313) 223-2400 during service hours.

SHUTTLE ROUTE & BUS STOPS

The shuttle route travels in one-direction only. Designated SMART and/or DDOT bus stops (shown as blue dots on the map) will be served. Be sure to stand on the correct side of the road.

Once on board, just let the driver know where you need to stop.  The SMART Job Link connects you to your place of work to nearby SMART and DDOT bus stops.

Job Link Map

FIXED ROUTES

If you ride SMART or DDOT, there are several bus routes to connect you to a bus stop served by the Job Link route.

DDOT Routes: 4, 15, 38, 39 ,42, 43 

SMART Routes: FAST 461/462 

AFFORDABLE

The shuttle is included in your fare when riding SMART and DDOT! There is no extra cost for employees riding the SMART Job Link to the Oakland Industrial Park.

CONVENIENT

No matter what shift you work, the SMART Job Link will be there.

When boarding from a local bus stop, the Job Link will pick you up and drop you off at your place of work. Drivers will stop at any driveway of a business located within the Oakland Industrial Park. Just let the driver know where you need to stop!

FARES

The Dart fare allows you unlimited rides in any direction on SMART and DDOT.

Base fares are:

4 Hour Regional Pass – $2.00 Full Fare

50¢ Reduced Fare*

*Eligibility: Senior – 65+ years, Disabled,Medicare recipients, Youth – 6 to 18 Years

There are a variety of passes available to help make your ride to work affordable.

Visit www.paywithdart.org for more information

Download the Dart app to pay your fare on your device. www.thedartapp.org

Participating Employers

For company participation information, please contact your HR Department.

• Stellantis
• Faurecia
• Hyundai Mobis
• Modular Automotive Systems
• Magna
• Valeo
• Yangfen

Zero Tolerance Policy

SMART Flex has a strict Zero Tolerance policy. We do not tolerate the use of drugs or alcohol by drivers on the SMART Flex service platform nor do we tolerate inappropriate behavior by drivers towards passengers. If you believe that your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if your driver is behaving in a manner that you consider inappropriate or that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, or if your driver engages in conduct which could be considered unlawful or illegal, please ask the driver to terminate the trip immediately. If you feel that you are in imminent danger, please contact the police directly by calling 911. After the ride has concluded, please provide feedback using the SMART Flex app or email us at support-smart@ridewithvia.com to report the issue.

 

Cigarette policy

Smoking of any kind is prohibited, including e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or smokeless cigarettes.

 

Eating/drinking policy

We know that you are on the go, but please help us keep our vehicles clean and fresh and avoid bringing food and drink in our cars. Please also be mindful that smelly food can be distracting and unpleasant for your fellow passengers. Drinking alcohol and carrying open containers of alcohol in our vehicles is not allowed.

 

Phone call policy

Please remember your fellow passengers might not be interested in your phone conversations. We ask that you limit phone calls to quick logistics and emergencies during shared rides.

 

Luggage/strollers policy

SMART Flex vehicles are a shared space, and as such we ask everyone to limit any personal items to a single piece of luggage or a reasonably-sized bag. 

 

Pet policy

Licensed service animals are welcome to ride in SMART Flex vehicles without restrictions. Other dogs and cats must be in an airline-approved carrier in order to ride with SMART Flex and be able to be carried on the rider’s lap or underneath the rider’s seat/seat in front.

 

Age policy

Riders must be 13 years of age or older. Children under the age of 13 can ride with SMART Flex when accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

FAQS 

Can I book rides without a smartphone?

Yes. Call (734) 212-8429.

Why am I being asked to walk to my pickup spot?

Our tech pairs riders heading in the same direction, meaning passengers might be getting picked up and dropped off throughout your ride. In order to keep things moving as quickly and efficiently as possible, we usually ask you to meet us at a nearby corner instead of right outside the address you entered — that way, the driver doesn’t have to make any detours that could slow things down. 

How do I know where to meet my driver?

After you book a ride, the app will display your pickup spot — we’ll either give you the address or business name at your pickup spot to help you find it. Either way, there will always be a dotted line to show you how to get there!

Can I bring someone along with me?

You can bring up to 2 additional passengers. Please note that each additional passenger costs $2 extra.

How do I pay for my rides?

You can pay with a credit or debit card, valid DART Regional pass or SMART DART pass, or by Ride Credit on the app.

If you choose to link your credit or debit card:

• If you choose to link your credit or debit card in the app when you create your account, you’ll be prompted to input your card number and information.
• You can also update your card by going into the left-hand menu in your app and tapping on ‘Payment Methods’.
• Once you’re in ‘Payment Methods’ you can either click on an existing card to update your information or tap on ‘+ Add a new payment method’ to add a new card associated with your account.

If you are paying for a ride using valid DART Regional Passes or SMART DART passes (mobile or physical Passes) don't forget to show your valid pass to your driver once you’re onboard the vehicle.

Note: SMART DART Value passes are not accepted on SMART Flex.

If you choose to pay with Rider Credit in the app, you’ll be able to do so by going into the left-hand menu in your app and tapping on ‘Ride Credit’. Once you’re in ‘Ride Credit’ you can see your remaining credit or purchase additional credit.

Can I book a ride in advance?

SMART Flex works on demand, meaning we don’t take advance bookings. Book your ride shortly before you’re ready to leave, as average wait times range between 5 and 30 minutes.

What happens if I cancel my ride?

If you cancel a ride within 1 minute of booking, we’ll waive the cost of the cancellation. Otherwise, we’ll charge you $1. If the driver cannot locate you after the 2-minute waiting period, you’ll be charged a no-show penalty of $1.

What do I do if my driver left without me?

Re-book directly in your app, and then send an email explaining what happened to support-smart@ridewithvia.com. You won’t be charged for this ride.

What do the vehicles look like?

All vehicles are branded with SMART Flex’s logo and colors, so they should be easy to spot.

I am a passenger with mobility limitations. Where do I get picked up?

Toggle on "Senior Citizen" or "Rider w/ Disabilities" in the Special Settings section of your profile to unlock rides that pick you up at your exact address.

Are vehicles wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Please let us know you need a WAV when you book your ride by tapping your profile picture or image at the top of the app menu and tapping the Wheelchair toggle to turn it on.

Can I change my destination once I’m on board?

Once you start a ride, the destination cannot be changed. If you have not yet boarded the vehicle, you can cancel the ride and re-book with a new destination.

Can I set a favorite location in the app?

Yes. Tap the Favorites tab in the app menu, then tap Set Home Address or Set Work Address and type in the address of your preferred location.

Can I leave feedback for my driver?

Feel free to fill out the feedback screen in the app after your ride.

How do I reset my password?

Open the app and select Log me in. In the password box, select Forgot your password? and follow the prompts.

I left something in the vehicle — how do I retrieve it?

Please email us at support-smart@ridewithvia.com with a description of the missing item.