DETROIT (WWJ) - Two public meetings are being held to discuss a proposed bus route that will connect Metro Airport to Downtown Detroit.
The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan will hold two public hearings on Jan. 9 and 10 to discuss its proposed “Detroit to Airport Express Service pilot.”
The proposed bus route will connect Detroit Metro Airport to Downtown Detroit. The bus route is a partnership with Michigan Flyer, according to a written statement by the RTA.
The RTA said that they received a federal grant of $2.5 million in 2022 “through the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program, which was administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and will be distributed through the Federal Transit Administration.” The grant will be used to pay for at least one year of service.
“We are excited about the proposed Detroit to Airport Express Service pilot and the benefits it will provide our community,” Ben Stupka, Executive Director of the RTA, said. “These public hearings are opportunities for us to connect with stakeholders and get input from community members about this service. This pilot will allow us to gauge the impact of a new direct way for people to travel back and forth to DTW from Downtown Detroit, and it's important for as many people as possible to share their input about what’s to come.”
The proposed price of fare will be up to $15, but discounts will be available, the RTA said in its written statement. The route will run 365 days a year, with a tentative running time of 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. There will be up to 16 round trips daily.
The pick up and drop off locations in Detroit will be determined, but there are several proposed stops. The suggested stops are either on the west side of Washington Boulevard near State Street or near Grand Circus Park at Park Avenue and Bagley Street.
The locations at Metro Airport are tentatively set for the McNamara and Evans Terminals.
The RTA said they hope to begin running the route in the spring of 2024.
The meeting on Jan. 9 will be in-person and a Zoom meeting will be held on Jan. 10. Both meetings will have a presentation from RTA staff and will include time for public statements.
The Jan. 9 meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m. at the SEMCOG Offices at 1001 Woodward Ave., 14th Floor, in Detroit.
The SEMCOG Offices can be reached by transit routes 4 Woodward, 461 FAST and the QLine. Parking is validated for the parking garage at State Street and Woodward Avenue, which is attached to the building. The Jan. 10 meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. To register, visit this link.