2024-01-18: DDOT Community Input Meeting
At the first community input meeting of the year, DDOT announced the next steps of its Reimagined plan. The final draft plan will be published on February 1st, and a public hearing will be held on February 15th in place of the regularly scheduled community input meeting.
This is independent coverage, but you can also reference official Detroit Documenters reporting .
Jefferson “BRT” Pilot Goes Live on Monday
Increased frequency on DDOT Route 9 (Jefferson), previously announced in October , goes live on Monday, January 22nd. For now, this is only a frequency increase to every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. Other amenities, such as curb bulb-outs and faster fare payment, will be implemented at a later date.
Of note, DDOT officials on the call stated that a bus-only lane is not feasible for the Jefferson corridor as it would leave only one travel lane for vehicular traffic. Bus lanes will still be considered on other corridors.
Also of note: DDOT informed attendees that the State Fair Transit Center is anticipated to be open at the end of March or beginning of April, weather permitting. The outside structure is nearly complete and construction crews are working on the interior now.
Public Comment Summary
Approximately 50 members of the public were on the call, with some being unable to speak due to the meeting’s 90-minute time limit. Riders requested clarification on whether the Jefferson BRT was a new bus route with new stops; DDOT clarified that this was not a second route along Jefferson but rather a frequency change on the existing Route 9. No stops will be added, removed, or relocated as part of the January service change. Interim Director Michael Staley states that DDOT hopes to have the first upgraded amenities in place along Jefferson by Summer 2024. Others expressed support for BRT-style improvements along other major corridors, specifically Grand River and Van Dyke.
Additionally, Staley provided an update on recruitment efforts upon request from the public: The October 2023, November 2023, and January 2024 classes each had over 50 students, approaching the maximum student-instructor ratio DDOT can accommodate. Currently DDOT has filled less than 5% of its extra board positions, which leaves very little ability to adjust for both planned and unplanned driver absences and results in frequent run cuts. Per Staley, a department within the City of Detroit has begun implementing a repayment plan to recoup the cost of training and CDL licensure for operators who separate from DDOT before a set period of time.
Other commenters highlighted broken stop announcements and bike racks on a number of buses, which DDOT officials committed to addressing. Riders also requested better promotion of the monthly community input meetings, including inside buses; Unlike SMART, DDOT does not sell advertising space inside its coaches, so there is space to do so.
Reliability concerns, vehicle cleanliness problems, and accessibility issues at bus stops were once again highlighted; a wheelchair user specifically noted a stop along the Dexter on West Outer Drive outside Fellowship Chapel. DDOT is sending supervisors to inspect this stop as well as any locations where riders have reported getting passed by bus drivers.
The owner of a gas station at the western end of Route 8 (Warren) called into the meeting, citing consistent problems with riders who have been harassing DDOT drivers and other customers inside the convenience store during layovers. The owner takes no issue with allowing bus drivers to use the gas station restroom, but is requesting DDOT take action on the issue of problematic riders. DDOT has scheduled a site visit and is open to adjusting the endpoint of the route if needed.
Key Presentation Slides
