Southeast Michigan is one step closer to establishing a public mass
transit system.
Michigan’s state Senate passed a series of bills last week aimed at establishing a regional transit authority for the Metro Detroit Area. The legislation still needs to be approved by the House and signed by the governor, but several lawmakers are optimistic.
“After decades of stalled attempts, characterized by bitter partisanship and territorial disputes, I am pleased to say we are closer than ever to achieving the goal of building a functional mass transit system, competing for federal transit dollars and bringing southeastern Michigan into the 21st Century,” Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, said in a statement.
Gov. Rick Snyder’s Director of Strategy Bill Rustem also expressed support for the mass transit system in a hearing with Michigan’s House Transportation Committee.
“This is one of the governor’s highest priorities,” Rustem said.
If the legislation is approved and the authority is established, it will affect Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties and will be responsible for coordinating pre-existing bus systems, developing a regional transportation plan, acquiring funding from the state and federal governments and creating a new rapid transit system using high-speed buses.
Four regional routes are currently planned: Detroit to Pontiac, Detroit to Mount Clemens, Pontiac to Mount Clemens and, most notable for Eastern Michigan University students, Detroit to Ann Arbor.
Student reaction at EMU was generally positive.
“I think it’ll be nice for people who commute from the Detroit area to U of M and EMU,” said Katie White, a sophomore majoring in film studies.
Jeremy Lund, a junior majoring in electronic media, agreed.
“It sounds like a good thing,” Lund said. “I wish it went to Monroe [Mich.].”
The transit authority is intended for the four counties mentioned above, but the legislation will allow other counties to petition the authority if they are interested in joining.
