Alert: Bus System in Danger

You know, I'd just assumed that Mayor Bing would win in November. After all, even among those who voted against him in the special election in May, who really wants the city to have four mayors within 12 months? Now, I'm not so sure. Less than one month after the grand opening of the Rosa Parks Transit Center, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is suggesting cutting back 12 routes, ending Saturday bus service at 6pm, and eliminating Sunday bus service altogether. Check out the details in the article on the Detroit News website.

WHAT?????

The bus drivers' union estimates that 50,000 people ride the bus on Sunday and that 20,000 more would be effected by the Saturday cutback. The News article notes that the DDOT made this announcement a few days after the mayor said he planned to cut the jobs of 1,000 workers.

Maybe the mayor has not noticed, but public transportation in the city is already as bare bones as a dinosaur skeleton. It's 12:30 in the morning and I'm just getting in from the African World Festival--one of the major summer festivals downtown and you might think the city would be a little invested in making transportation available for it. Guess not. I live 12 miles from Hart Plaza, yet took me an hour to get home. And it was only that quick because I walked the last mile and a half rather than wait for a second bus which only runs once an hour (if that) at night. We can't take any more cuts in service and still have a system.

During the weekends, people use the bus to get to work, to church, to family, to shopping. How are they--how are we supposed to do that without the bus? That whole Cash for Clunkers only worked for those of us who a) had a clunker and b) had the cash/credit for the rest of the pricetag. Taxis are too expensive. Does he expect us to walk? When we're traveling over 10 miles? When we need to be there at 8am or get off in the middle of the night? More bus cuts are not an option.

If Tom Barrow really wants Bing's job, he might try riding the bus and talking to folks and then sending his campaign team out to register folks waiting at bus stops and on buses. I can imagine that if this goes any further we just might get more than the approximately 15% voter turnout we enjoyed in May and August.

A DDOT Rider Alert flyer states that public hearings will be held next week at the following locations:

Monday, August 24
10am 12 noon and again 6-8pm
Wayne County Community College
5901 Conner

Tuesday, August 25
10am 12 noon and again 6-8pm
Rosa Parks Transit Center
360 Michigan Ave.

Wednesday, August 25
10am 12 noon and again 6-8pm
Southwest District Neighborhood City Hall
7400 W. Vernor

Thursday, August 26
10am 12 noon and again 6-8pm
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers

In addition, I believe Mayor Bing could benefit from hearing why this is a bad idea from his constituents. You can let him know at:

City of Detroit
Executive Office
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 1126
Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 224-3400