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| destinations =
| destinations =
| stops =
| stops =
| hubs =State Fair Transit Center<br/>[[Royal Oak Transit Center]]<br/>[[John D. Dingell Transit Center|Dearborn Transit Center]]
| hubs =[[Spirit Plaza]]<br>State Fair Transit Center<br/>[[Royal Oak Transit Center]]<br/>[[John D. Dingell Transit Center|Dearborn Transit Center]]<br>[[Macomb Mall]]
| stations =
| stations =
| lounge =
| lounge =
| fleet =
| fleet =
262
*233 [[Gillig BRT]] 40'
| ridership =
*23 [[New Flyer XD60]] 60'
*4 [[Proterra ZX5]] 40'
| ridership = 44,000<ref>[http://www.metromodemedia.com/devnews/smartrecordridership0069.aspx SMART hits record ridership levels as mass transit demand grows], by Jon Zemke, MetroMode Online Magazine, published May 22, 2008</ref>
| fuel_type = [[Biodiesel]]<br/>[[Battery electric vehicle|Electric]]
| fuel_type = [[Biodiesel]]<br/>[[Battery electric vehicle|Electric]]
| operator =
| operator =
Line 34: Line 32:
}}
}}


The '''Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation''' ('''SMART''') is the public transit operator serving the [[Metro Detroit|suburbs]] of [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], United States. Beginning operations in 1967 as the '''Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority''' ('''SEMTA'''), the agency was reorganized and renamed SMART in 1989. SMART operates 44 [[Transit bus|bus]] routes (supplementing the [[Detroit Department of Transportation]]), plus [[paratransit]] and [[microtransit]] services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-12 |title=System Map |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/System%20Maps/SMARTSystemMap.pdf |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
The '''Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation''' ('''SMART''') is the public transit operator serving the [[Metro Detroit|suburbs]] of [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], United States. Beginning operations in 1967 as the '''Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority''' ('''SEMTA'''), the agency was reorganized and renamed SMART in 1989. SMART operates 44 [[Transit bus|bus]] routes (supplementing the [[Detroit Department of Transportation]]), plus [[paratransit]] and [[microtransit]] services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=System Map |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/System%20Maps/SMARTSystemMap.pdf |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 128: Line 126:


== Services ==
== Services ==
=== Buses ===
=== Fixed-route buses ===
SMART is the primary public transit operator serving Detroit's suburbs, and fixed-route bus services comprise the majority of its service. 44 routes of various types operate across SMART's three-county service area.
SMART operates 44 fixed [[Public transport bus service|bus]] routes across its tri-county service area, serving as the main public transit connection between Detroit's suburbs.<ref name=":0" /> Most SMART routes run hourly, though some have shorter [[headway]]s.[[File:SMART 2020 New Flyer XD60 4010.jpg|thumb|2020 [[New Flyer Xcelsior|New Flyer XD60]] in FAST livery]]
Some of SMART's routes enter the City of Detroit and serve the [[Downtown Detroit|Downtown]] and [[Midtown, Detroit|Midtown]] cores during weekday rush hours. Elsewhere in Detroit city limits, a [[local ordinance]] bars passengers from being dropped off on outbound routes, or boarding on inbound routes, with the exception of FAST routes<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Leonard N. |date=January 10, 2015 |title=SMART urged to change boarding policy in Detroit |work=[[The Detroit News]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2015/01/10/smart-urged-change-boarding-policy-detroit/21570061/ |accessdate=May 14, 2017}}</ref> This is intended to avoid service duplication with [[Detroit Department of Transportation]], which supplements the city of Detroit with its own bus service.


==== FAST ====
==== FAST ====
[[File:SMART 2020 New Flyer XD60 4010.jpg|thumb|[[New Flyer Xcelsior|New Flyer XD60]] on FAST Woodward]]
FAST (Frequent Affordable Safe Transit) limited-stop routes run along major Metro Detroit corridors, connecting downtown and midtown Detroit to suburban communities and [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit Metro Airport]] with frequent service. Launched on January 1, 2018, FAST routes offer service along [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|Michigan Avenue]], [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]], and [[M-3 (Michigan highway)|Gratiot Avenue]].<ref name=":5" />
'''Frequent Affordable Safe Transit''' ('''FAST''') is SMART's flagship service; its limited-stop bus routes serve as the main arteries of the network, connecting the suburbs with downtown Detroit. Five FAST routes currently operate along three major Metro Detroit avenues - [[M-3 (Michigan highway)|Gratiot]], [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|Michigan]], and [[Woodward Avenue|Woodward]] - with service every 30 minutes on weekdays, and stops roughly every mile for most of their length.<ref name=":5" />

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
'''Local routes'''
! rowspan="2" |Route Name
! rowspan="2" |#
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Termini
! rowspan="2" |Length
! colspan="3" |[[Headway]] (minutes)
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
!Mon-Fri
!Sat
!Sun
|-
|'''''FAST Michigan'''''
|'''261'''
| rowspan="4" |Spirit Plaza
|[[Detroit Metro Airport]]
|{{convert|22.1|mi|km}}
|30
|60
|60
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''''FAST Woodward'''''
|'''461'''
|Troy Civic Center Park & Ride
|{{convert|24.0|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|60–110
| rowspan="2" |Concurrent from [[Birmingham, Michigan|Birmingham]] south, with service every 30 minutes combined; local stops in Pontiac on 462
|-
|'''462'''
|Great Lakes Crossing/Auburn Mile
|{{convert|32.5|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|120
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''''FAST Gratiot'''''
|'''563'''
|23 Mile Road
|{{convert|27.0|mi|km}}
|30
|30
|60
|
|-
|'''562'''
|Wayne State University
|Harrison Township
|{{convert|24.1|mi|km}}
|2 trips daily
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Weekday rush hour only; concurrent with 563 from Warren Avenue to Mt. Clemens
|}'''Local routes'''


<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-12 |title=System Map |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/System%20Maps/SMARTSystemMap.pdf |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Schedules by Route |url=http://www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
SMART's 32 local routes serve as the main public transit connection between Detroit's suburbs.<ref name=":0" /> Each is classified as either a high-ridership "main corridor" route, a long-distance "crosstown" route, or a "community" route focused on serving denser areas. Almost all connect to FAST, for simple connections to downtown Detroit. Most local routes run hourly, though a few are more frequent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schedules by Route |url=http://www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |#
Line 143: Line 195:
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Termini
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Termini
! rowspan="2" |Length
! rowspan="2" |Length
! colspan="3" |[[Headway]]
! colspan="3" |[[Headway]] (minutes)
! rowspan="2" |Notes
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
|-
Line 152: Line 204:
|'''125'''
|'''125'''
|''Fort Street/Eureka Road''
|''Fort Street/Eureka Road''
|'''[[Romulus, Michigan|Romulus]]'''
[[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit Metro Airport]]
|'''[[River Rouge, Michigan|River Rouge]]'''
|'''[[River Rouge, Michigan|River Rouge]]'''
W Jefferson Avenue + Coolidge Highway
W Jefferson Avenue + Coolidge Highway
|[[Detroit Metro Airport]]
|{{convert|22.1|mi|km}}
|{{convert|22.1|mi|km}}
|30
|30
Line 164: Line 215:
|'''140'''
|'''140'''
|''Southshore''
|''Southshore''
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]]'''
[[John D. Dingell Transit Center|Dearborn Transit Center]]
|'''[[Southgate, Michigan|Southgate]]'''
|'''[[Southgate, Michigan|Southgate]]'''
Meijer Southgate
Meijer
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]]'''
[[Dearborn station (Amtrak)|Dearborn Transit Center]]
|{{convert|16.8|mi|km}}
|{{convert|16.8|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 199: Line 250:
|'''210'''
|'''210'''
|'''[[Westland, Michigan|Westland]]'''
|'''[[Westland, Michigan|Westland]]'''
Meijer Westland
Meijer
|{{convert|16.8|mi|km}}
|{{convert|16.8|mi|km}}
|90
|90
Line 207: Line 258:
|'''250'''
|'''250'''
|''Ford Road''
|''Ford Road''
|'''Westland'''
Meijer Westland
|'''Dearborn'''
|'''Dearborn'''
[[John D. Dingell Transit Center|Dearborn Transit Center]]
[[John D. Dingell Transit Center|Dearborn Transit Center]]
|'''Westland'''
Meijer
|{{convert|14.4|mi|km}}
|{{convert|14.4|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 216: Line 267:
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Interlined with 140
|Interlined with 140
|-
|'''261'''
|''FAST Michigan''
|'''Downtown Detroit'''
|'''Romulus'''
Detroit Metro Airport
|{{convert|22.1|mi|km}}
|30
|60
|60
|Limited-stop service on [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|Michigan Avenue]]
|-
|-
|'''275'''
|'''275'''
Line 238: Line 278:
|60
|60
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Overlaps with 275 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile
|
|-
|-
|'''280'''
|'''280'''
|''Western Wayne Crosstown''
|''Western Wayne Crosstown''
|'''Romulus'''
| rowspan="3" |'''Detroit'''
Detroit Metro Airport
|'''Detroit'''
Meijer Old Redford
Meijer Old Redford
|Detroit Metro Airport
|{{convert|23.0|mi|km}}
|{{convert|23.0|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 254: Line 293:
|'''305'''
|'''305'''
|''Grand River''
|''Grand River''
|'''Detroit'''
Meijer Old Redford
|'''[[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]]'''
|'''[[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]]'''
Meijer
Meijer
Line 268: Line 305:
|'''[[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]'''
|'''[[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]]'''
Amazon Pontiac
Amazon Pontiac
|'''Detroit'''
Meijer Old Redford
|{{convert|24.4|mi|km}}
|{{convert|24.4|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|60
|60
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Overlaps with 375 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile
|
|-
|-
|'''400'''
|'''400'''
|''Southfield/Orchard Ridge''
|''Southfield/Orchard Ridge''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[West Bloomfield Township, Michigan|West Bloomfield]]'''
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
|'''Southfield'''
|'''Southfield'''
Northland
Northland
| rowspan="2" |'''[[West Bloomfield Township, Michigan|West Bloomfield]]'''
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
|{{convert|21.1|mi|km}}
|{{convert|21.1|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Signed as "Civic Center Dr-11 Mile" on bus headsigns & [[GTFS]]
|Alternatively signed as "Civic Center Dr-11 Mile"
Interlined with 405
Interlined with 405
|-
|-
Line 301: Line 336:
|'''415'''
|'''415'''
|''Greenfield''
|''Greenfield''
|rowspan="2"|'''Southfield'''
| rowspan="2" |'''Southfield'''
Northland
Northland
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]]'''
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]]'''
Meijer Royal Oak
Meijer Royal Oak
|{{convert|8.7|mi|km}}
|{{convert|8.7|mi|km}}
Line 320: Line 355:
|'''430'''
|'''430'''
|''Main Street-Big Beaver''
|''Main Street-Big Beaver''
|rowspan="3"|'''Detroit'''
| rowspan="5" |'''Detroit'''
State Fair Transit Center
State Fair Transit Center
|'''[[Troy, Michigan|Troy]]'''
|'''[[Troy, Michigan|Troy]]'''
Line 345: Line 380:
[[Somerset Collection]]
[[Somerset Collection]]
|{{convert|11.8|mi|km}}
|{{convert|11.8|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|120
|-
|'''461'''
|''FAST Woodward''
|rowspan="2"|'''Downtown Detroit'''
|'''Troy'''
Troy Civic Center Park & Ride
|{{convert|24.0|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|60–110
| rowspan="2" |Limited-stop service along [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]], concurrent from Birmingham south; local service in Pontiac on 462
|-
|'''462'''
|''FAST Woodward''
|'''[[Auburn Hills, Michigan|Auburn Hills]]'''
Meijer Auburn Hills
|{{convert|32.5|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|60
|60
Line 371: Line 386:
|'''494'''
|'''494'''
|''Dequindre''
|''Dequindre''
|rowspan="2"|'''Detroit'''
State Fair Transit Center
|'''[[Sterling Heights, Michigan|Sterling Heights]]'''
|'''[[Sterling Heights, Michigan|Sterling Heights]]'''
Beaumont Hospital-Troy
Beaumont Hospital-Troy
Line 391: Line 404:
|
|
|-
|-
|'''510'''
| rowspan="2" |'''510'''
|''Van Dyke''
| rowspan="2" |''Van Dyke''
|rowspan="2"|'''Detroit'''
| rowspan="3" |'''Detroit'''
Bel Air Shopping Center
Bel Air Shopping Center
|'''Sterling Heights'''
[[Lakeside Mall]]
|{{convert|15.8|mi|km}}
| rowspan="2" |20–30
| rowspan="2" |30
| rowspan="2" |60
| rowspan="2" |Trips alternate between northern termini
|-
|'''[[Shelby Township, Michigan|Shelby Township]]'''
|'''[[Shelby Township, Michigan|Shelby Township]]'''
Walmart
Walmart, 23 Mile Road + Van Dyke Avenue
|{{convert|19.2|mi|km}}

'''Sterling Heights'''
[[Lakeside Mall]]
|{{convert|15.8|mi|km}} ''(Lakeside)''
{{convert|19.2|mi|km}}
''(Walmart)''
|20–30
|30
|60
|Trips alternate between northern termini
|-
|-
|'''525'''
|'''525'''
Line 420: Line 432:
|'''550'''
|'''550'''
|''Garfield''
|''Garfield''
|'''Sterling Heights'''
Lakeside Mall
|'''[[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]]'''
|'''[[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]]'''
[[Macomb Mall]]
[[Macomb Mall]]
|'''Sterling Heights'''
Lakeside Mall
|{{convert|12.0|mi|km}}
|{{convert|12.0|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 441: Line 453:
|60
|60
|
|
|-
|'''562'''
|''FAST Gratiot - DMC/WSU''
|'''[[Midtown Detroit]]'''
Woodward + Putnam

<small>near [[Wayne State University]]</small>
|'''[[Harrison Township, Michigan|Harrison Township]]'''
North River Road Park & Ride
|{{convert|24.1|mi|km}}
|2 trips daily
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Weekday rush hour only; concurrent with 563 from
|-
|'''563'''
|''FAST Gratiot''
|'''Downtown Detroit'''
|'''Chesterfield'''
Gratiot Avenue + 23 Mile Road
|{{convert|27.0|mi|km}}
|30
|30
|60
|Limited-stop service
|-
|-
|'''610'''
|'''610'''
|''Kercheval-Harper''
|''Kercheval-Harper''
|'''[[Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan|Grosse Pointe Park]]'''
|'''[[Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan|Grosse Pointe Park]]'''
Jefferson Avenue + Alter Road
Maryland + Jefferson
|'''Clinton Township'''
|'''Clinton Township'''
15 Mile Road + Gratiot Avenue
15 Mile + Gratiot
|{{convert|17.0|mi|km}}
|{{convert|17.0|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 481: Line 468:
|'''615'''
|'''615'''
|''Jefferson''
|''Jefferson''
|'''[[Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan|Grosse Pointe Farms]]'''
|'''[[Grosse Pointe Farms]]'''
Moross Road + Mack Avenue
Mack + Moross

<small>at Ascension St. John Hospital</small>
|'''Roseville'''
|'''Roseville'''
Macomb Mall
Macomb Mall
Line 495: Line 480:
|'''710'''
|'''710'''
|''9 Mile Crosstown''
|''9 Mile Crosstown''
|'''[[St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shores]]'''
9 Mile + Jefferson
|'''Southfield'''
|'''Southfield'''
9 Mile + Telegraph
9 Mile + Telegraph
|'''[[St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shores]]'''
9 Mile + Jefferson
|{{convert|20.7|mi|km}}
|{{convert|20.7|mi|km}}
|45
|45
Line 508: Line 493:
|'''730'''
|'''730'''
|''10 Mile Crosstown''
|''10 Mile Crosstown''
|'''Southfield'''
10 Mile + Telegraph
|'''Grosse Pointe Farms'''
|'''Grosse Pointe Farms'''
Moross Road + Mack Avenue
Moross Road + Mack Avenue
|'''Southfield'''
10 Mile + Telegraph
|{{convert|28.9|mi|km}}
|{{convert|28.9|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 520: Line 505:
|'''740'''
|'''740'''
|''12 Mile Crosstown''
|''12 Mile Crosstown''
| rowspan="2" |'''Roseville'''
|'''Farmington Hills'''
12 Mile Road + Haggerty Road
13 Mile + Little Mack Avenue
|'''[[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]]'''
|'''[[Wixom, Michigan|Wixom]]'''
Meijer
Meijer
Line 534: Line 519:
|''13 Mile/14 Mile Crosstown''
|''13 Mile/14 Mile Crosstown''
|'''Southfield'''
|'''Southfield'''
12 Mile Road + Telegraph Road
12 Mile + Telegraph
|'''Roseville'''
13 Mile Road + Little Mack Avenue
|{{convert|26.4|mi|km}}
|{{convert|26.4|mi|km}}
|60
|60
Line 545: Line 528:
|'''780'''
|'''780'''
|''15 Mile Crosstown''
|''15 Mile Crosstown''
|'''Clinton Township'''
15 Mile + Gratiot Avenue
|'''West Bloomfield'''
|'''West Bloomfield'''
Maple Road + Orchard Lake Road
Maple Road + Orchard Lake Road
|'''Clinton Township'''
15 Mile Road + Gratiot Avenue
|{{convert|28.3|mi|km}}
|{{convert|28.3|mi|km}}
|60
|60
|60
|60
|'''-'''
|'''-'''
|Last 3 trips daily end at [[Somerset Collection]]
|Last 3 westbound trips daily end at [[Somerset Collection]]
|-
|-
|'''790'''
|'''790'''
Line 580: Line 563:
|-
|-
|}
|}
'''Limited/express routes'''
'''Commuter routes'''


SMART operates seven express routes between Downtown Detroit and the suburbs. They run only during weekday rush periods: toward Detroit in the morning, and toward the suburbs in the afternoon. All seven follow roughly the same path through Downtown Detroit, serving Spirit Plaza and the Rosa Parks Transit Center.
In addition to FAST and local routes, SMART operates seven commuter express routes between Downtown Detroit and the suburbs during weekday rush hours. They run toward Detroit in the morning, and toward the suburbs in the afternoon; all seven follow roughly the same path through Downtown Detroit, serving Spirit Plaza and the Rosa Parks Transit Center.<ref name=":0" />


Routes 255, 530, 620, and 635 run primarily on local roads, twice daily, while routes in the 800-series run primarily on freeways, three times daily. A 50¢ surcharge applies to all fares and passes when riding 800-series routes.
Routes 255, 530, 620, and 635 run primarily on local roads, twice daily, while routes in the 800-series run primarily on freeways, three times daily. A 50¢ surcharge applies to all fares and passes when riding 800-series routes.
Line 632: Line 615:
|{{convert|35.9|mi|km}}
|{{convert|35.9|mi|km}}
|3
|3
|Concurrent with 305 from downtown Farmington to Novi Road
|Concurrent with 305 from downtown [[Farmington, Michigan|Farmington]] to Novi Road
|-
|-
|'''830'''
|'''830'''
Line 640: Line 623:
|{{convert|22.8|mi|km}}
|{{convert|22.8|mi|km}}
|3
|3
|Concurrent with 160 from I-75 to Northline, and from Eureka to terminus
|Concurrent with 160 from I-75 to Northline, and from Eureka to southern terminus
|-
|-
|'''851'''
|'''851'''
Line 648: Line 631:
|{{convert|33.6|mi|km}}
|{{convert|33.6|mi|km}}
|3
|3
|intermediate stops in Midtown Detroit and Southfield
|Breaks from freeway route to serve intermediate stops in Midtown Detroit and Southfield
|}
|}


==== Fixed-route fleet ====
==== Fares ====
SMART and DDOT share a unified fare structure, known as Dart, with most of their passes accepted by both agencies.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> A four-hour pass (the equivalent of a single bus ride) costs [[US$]]2 for most riders, with a reduced fare of 50¢ for riders aged 6–18 or over 64, as well as disabled riders. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available, either as physical tickets, or digital passes through the Token Transit app.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fares |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Fares |access-date=2022-10-02 |website= |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
Fixed routes are operated with a fleet of 262 buses, consisting mostly of biodiesel-powered 40-foot [[Gillig Low Floor|Gillig BRT]] units, as well as some articulated [[New Flyer Xcelsior]] and battery-electric [[Proterra ZX5]] buses.<ref name=":2" />

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
==== Current bus fleet ====
Fixed routes are operated with a fleet of 262 buses, consisting mostly of biodiesel-powered 40-foot [[Gillig Low Floor|Gillig BRT]] units, as well as some articulated [[New Flyer Xcelsior]] and battery-electric [[Proterra ZX5]] buses. Three terminals, one in each county of the service area, store and maintain the fleet.<ref name=":2" />
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!Fleet #
!Fleet #
!Year
!Year
Line 725: Line 711:


==== Community Transit ====
==== Community Transit ====
Community Transit is a paratransit service, available only to seniors and disabled riders. Unlike Connector, which is operated directly by SMART, Community Transit is operated by the municipal governments of member communities, as well as some nonprofit organizations.
Community Transit is a similar paratransit service, available only to seniors and disabled riders. Unlike Connector, which is operated directly by SMART, Community Transit is operated by the municipal governments of member communities, as well as some nonprofit organizations.


Community Transit is operated with a fleet of [[Champion Bus Incorporated|Champion]] and [[ElDorado (bus manufacturer)|ElDorado]] minibuses, and [[Ford E-Series]] and [[Ford Transit|Transit]] vans, painted white with red-and-orange stripes.<ref name=":2" />
Community Transit is operated with a fleet of [[Champion Bus Incorporated|Champion]] and [[ElDorado (bus manufacturer)|ElDorado]] minibuses, and [[Ford E-Series]] and [[Ford Transit|Transit]] vans, painted white with red-and-orange stripes.<ref name=":2" />
Line 732: Line 718:
[[File:SMART Flex Chrysler Pacifica.jpg|thumb|Flex [[Chrysler Pacifica (minivan)|Chrysler Pacifica]]]]Flex is an on-demand [[microtransit]] service, operated under contract by [[Via Transportation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2021 |title=SMART launches SMART Flex, Detroit's first on-demand transit service with Via |url=https://ridewithvia.com/news/smart-launches-smart-flex-detroits-first-on-demand-transit-service-with-via |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=[[Via Transportation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Miriam |date=March 24, 2021 |title=SMART's new van service will help riders with shorter trips |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/24/smart-flex-vans-wayne-oakland-macomb/6982429002/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The service operates similar to [[Ridesharing company|ridesharing]]; a passenger books a ride via telephone or through the Flex smartphone app, and a marked vehicle (usually a [[minivan]]) picks them up and takes them to their destination.<ref name=":10" /> Flex was launched in March 2021, and currently operates in five service zones, covering all or part of 20 Metro Detroit communities.
[[File:SMART Flex Chrysler Pacifica.jpg|thumb|Flex [[Chrysler Pacifica (minivan)|Chrysler Pacifica]]]]Flex is an on-demand [[microtransit]] service, operated under contract by [[Via Transportation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2021 |title=SMART launches SMART Flex, Detroit's first on-demand transit service with Via |url=https://ridewithvia.com/news/smart-launches-smart-flex-detroits-first-on-demand-transit-service-with-via |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=[[Via Transportation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Miriam |date=March 24, 2021 |title=SMART's new van service will help riders with shorter trips |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/24/smart-flex-vans-wayne-oakland-macomb/6982429002/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The service operates similar to [[Ridesharing company|ridesharing]]; a passenger books a ride via telephone or through the Flex smartphone app, and a marked vehicle (usually a [[minivan]]) picks them up and takes them to their destination.<ref name=":10" /> Flex was launched in March 2021, and currently operates in five service zones, covering all or part of 20 Metro Detroit communities.
Flex vehicles are driven by [[independent contractors]], referred to by Via as "driver partners."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Detroit First Day |url=https://drivewithvia.com/push/detroit-first-day/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Drive With Via |language=en-US}}</ref> The fleet used for Flex, owned by [[Avis Budget Group]],<ref name=":14" /> consists mostly of [[Chrysler Pacifica (minivan)|Chrysler Pacifica]] and [[Toyota Sienna]] minivans. Each vehicle seats three to five Flex passengers, and some are equipped to transport wheelchairs.
Flex vehicles are driven by [[independent contractors]], referred to by Via as "driver partners."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Detroit First Day |url=https://drivewithvia.com/push/detroit-first-day/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Drive With Via |language=en-US}}</ref> The fleet used for Flex, owned by [[Avis Budget Group]],<ref name=":14" /> consists mostly of [[Chrysler Pacifica (minivan)|Chrysler Pacifica]] and [[Toyota Sienna]] minivans. Each vehicle seats three to five Flex passengers, and some are equipped to transport wheelchairs.

Flex fares are distance-based, ranging from $2 to $8, and paid through the Flex app with a major credit or debit card. Dart passes are also accepted on Flex.


Most SMART vehicles' fleet numbers, including minibuses and support vehicles, correspond to their model year; the first two digits of the fleet number are the two-digit model year plus 20. For instance, vehicles 3746 and 37007 are both of the 2017 model year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Suburban_Mobility_Authority_for_Regional_Transportation |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=CPTDB Wiki |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board}}</ref>
Most SMART vehicles' fleet numbers, including minibuses and support vehicles, correspond to their model year; the first two digits of the fleet number are the two-digit model year plus 20. For instance, vehicles 3746 and 37007 are both of the 2017 model year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Suburban_Mobility_Authority_for_Regional_Transportation |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=CPTDB Wiki |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board}}</ref>

==Fares==

Since 2019, SMART, DDOT, and the QLINE have had a unified fare payment system, Dart.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> Dart passes are available as digital passes through the Dart app, or as physical passes, which can be purchased from SMART's ticket offices in downtown Detroit and [[Royal Oak Transit Center|Royal Oak]], the [[Rosa Parks Transit Center]], SMART's [https://www.smartbus.org/Fares/Buy-Passes/Online-Store online store], and select local businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy Passes |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Fares/Buy-Passes |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>

A single ride on a fixed-route bus costs [[US$]]2, which, when paid with cash, includes a printed four-hour pass upon request from the driver. Reduced fares are available, with a single ride costing 50¢ for riders aged 6–18 or 65 and older, and disabled riders. Discounted Dart passes are also available for these riders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fares |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Fares |access-date=2022-10-02 |website= |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>

Flex fares are distance-based, ranging from $2 to $8, and paid through the Flex app with a major credit or debit card. DART passes are also accepted on Flex.


== Governance ==
== Governance ==
Line 755: Line 735:
'''Macomb County'''
'''Macomb County'''
* John Paul Rea, Deputy County Executive
* John Paul Rea, Deputy County Executive
* (vacant seat)
* Vicki Wolber, Deputy County Executive
'''Monroe County'''
'''Monroe County'''
* Royce Maniko, former Chief Finance Officer
* Royce Maniko, former Chief Finance Officer


== Labor relations ==
== Labor relations ==
The majority of SMART's workforce is unionized. Fixed-route bus drivers are represented by [[Amalgamated Transit Union]] Local 1564,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |title=Pay, scheduling causes widespread SMART, DDOT driver shortage, missed routes |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/02/18/pay-scheduling-causes-big-bus-driver-shortage-for-ddot-smart/69907830007/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Connector drivers by [[International Brotherhood of Teamsters|Teamsters]] Local 247, mechanics by [[United Auto Workers|UAW]] Local 771,<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAW Local 771 |url=https://www.unionfacts.com/local/contracts/18018/UAW/771/Transportation_and_Warehousing |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Union Facts |language=en}}</ref> and dispatchers and supervisors by [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees|AFSCME]] Local 1786.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SMART Facts & History |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/Our-Organization/SMART-Facts |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
The majority of SMART's workforce is unionized. Fixed-route bus drivers are represented by [[Amalgamated Transit Union]] Local 1564,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |title=Pay, scheduling causes widespread SMART, DDOT driver shortage, missed routes |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/02/18/pay-scheduling-causes-big-bus-driver-shortage-for-ddot-smart/69907830007/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Connector drivers by [[International Brotherhood of Teamsters|Teamsters]] Local 247, mechanics by [[United Auto Workers|UAW]] Local 771,<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAW Local 771 |url=https://www.unionfacts.com/local/contracts/18018/UAW/771/Transportation_and_Warehousing |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Union Facts |language=en}}</ref> and dispatchers and supervisors by [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees|AFSCME]] Local 1786.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SMART Facts & History |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/Our-Organization/SMART-Facts |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref> The independent contractors employed by [[Via Transportation]] for SMART Flex are not unionized.

The independent contractors employed by [[Via Transportation]] for SMART Flex are not unionized.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 02:49, 13 November 2023

"SEMTA" redirects here. For other uses, see SEMTA (disambiguation).

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
SMART bus in Farmington Hills
Founded1967
HeadquartersBuhl Building
Downtown Detroit, Michigan
LocaleDetroit
Service areaMetro Detroit counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb
Service typebus service, paratransit
AllianceDDOT
Routes44
HubsSpirit Plaza
State Fair Transit Center
Royal Oak Transit Center
Dearborn Transit Center
Macomb Mall
Fleet262
Fuel typeBiodiesel
Electric
General ManagerDwight Ferrell[1]
WebsiteSMART

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is the public transit operator serving the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Beginning operations in 1967 as the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA), the agency was reorganized and renamed SMART in 1989. SMART operates 44 bus routes (supplementing the Detroit Department of Transportation), plus paratransit and microtransit services.[2]

History

1967–1989: SEMTA

See also: SEMTA Commuter Rail

The Michigan Legislature passed the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities Act of 1967, which included the creation of Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA). SEMTA was charged to take over the ownership and operations of the fractured regional transit systems in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, including the city of Detroit.[3]

The new authority acquired several suburban transit bus operations including Lake Shore Coach Lines (1971), Pontiac Municipal Transit Service (1973), Dearborn's Metropolitan Transit (1974), Birmingham's Great Lakes Transit (1974), and Royak Oak's Martin Lines (1975). However, the 1967 transportation act did not provide the regional authority with any means to levy taxes.[4] By 1974, the Detroit Department of Street Railways (DSR) had been reorganized as a city department of Detroit, leaving SEMTA only coordination over the suburban services.[3] That same year, SEMTA acquired a commuter train service between downtown Detroit and Pontiac from the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Due to declining ridership and a lack of funding, the commuter rail service was discontinued in October 1983.[citation needed]

In 1979, SEMTA approved a regional transit plan, which included improved bus service and new rail transit, but the plan was never implemented due to lack of funds.[3] The last commuter rail service was a former Penn Central route, named the Michigan Executive, that ran from the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit to Jackson. Its final operator was Amtrak, as funded by the State of Michigan. The already pared down Executive service ended in 1984.[citation needed]

Beginning in 1983, SEMTA oversaw the construction of the Detroit People Mover, which was conceived as part of a much larger project of light rail lines and a downtown subway. Mismanagement of the project resulted in tens of millions of dollars in cost overruns, causing the federal government to pull out of the project. In 1985, with the half-built project in limbo, the city of Detroit negotiated with SEMTA to take over the project, and it was transferred to the newly created Detroit Transportation Corporation.[5]

1989–2009: Reorganization as SMART, opt-out system

Logo used from 1989 to 2002

With little interest in the suburbs for expanding mass transit and Detroit not interested in joining the system, SEMTA was restructured as SMART in 1989, reducing the authority's service area from seven counties to four and excluding the city of Detroit.[3] Mike Duggan, then Wayne County's deputy county executive and vice chair of SMART's board of directors, was named the agency's general manager in February 1992.[6]

The first millages to fund SMART passed by wide margins in Macomb and Wayne counties in May 1995,[7][8] followed by a similar millage in Oakland County the following June.[9] While the Macomb millage was levied countywide, the millages in Wayne and Oakland were only voted upon by communities whose councils opted to participate. Other communities chose to leave SMART to avoid the new property tax, setting up the "opt-out" system that remained in place for much of SMART's history.[8]

In October 1994, SMART introduced Job Express, a shuttle service (similar to microtransit) which transported workers from SMART hubs to nearby workplaces. The service was offered in three areas, extending one mile each from the Royal Oak Transit Center, Fairlane Town Center, and Macomb Mall.[10] Initial plans called for up to fifteen such service zones, though only two were added (one spurring from Lakeside Mall, and another serving Somerset Collection), and the Macomb Mall area was expanded to cover much of Groesbeck Highway.[11]

Livonia opted out of SMART in 2005, as the first, and so far only, community to leave the system since 1995.[12][13] Walled Lake rejoined the following year.[2][14]

In order to prevent possible service cuts, SMART raised its fares by $0.50 on December 1, 2009; there was also a $0.50 charge added to regional monthly pass users and DDOT transfers.[15]

2011–2017: Service cuts

In October 2011, SMART discontinued 22% of its scheduled service and laid off 123 employees. This was widely attributed to declining property values (following the Great Recession) which led to reduced property tax revenue, and the inability of the authority to reach an agreement with its unions.[3]

In January 2012, the Farmington City Council voted 4-1 to opt out of SMART, though they unanimously reversed their decision two weeks later. Meanwhile, neighboring Farmington Hills narrowly voted to remain in the system.[16]

Lathrup Village, which had opted out of SMART in 1995, rejoined the system in 2014.[17]

2018–2022: Expansion, integration, and rebranding

On January 1, 2018, SMART began operating three high frequency, limited-stop FAST bus services, connecting downtown Detroit to suburban communities with frequent service.[18] FAST represented the first major expansion of the system since the 2011 service cuts.

In May 2019, SMART and DDOT unified their fare structures and introduced Dart, a common fare payment system, with regional passes and mobile ticketing.[19][20] The QLINE joined Dart the following October.[21]

In March 2021, SMART began offering Flex, a microtransit service, operated by Via Transportation under contract. Flex was initially offered in three small zones within SMART's service area, with one covering Dearborn and most of Taylor alongside portions of surrounding communities, another serving portions of Troy and surrounding cities, and the third serving communities along M-59 in Macomb County. Two more zones were added in August 2021 and May 2022, covering Auburn Hills and Pontiac, and Farmington and Farmington Hills, respectively.[22]

In February 2022, the Auburn Hills City Council voted 5-2 to opt out of SMART.[23][24] The city's exit was blocked by a judge in May, however, and Auburn Hills remained a member until the opt-out system's abolition in 2023.[25] Macomb Township's board of trustees similarly passed a resolution in March expressing interest in opting out of SMART services.[26]

2022–present: Rebranding and Oakland County expansion

2022 saw a renewed push for a countywide expansion of SMART in Oakland County, ahead of the scheduled millage renewal that August. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners proposed replacing the existing SMART millage with a new ten-year .95 millage, levied on all homes in the county, not just in existing member communities.[27] Approved by voters in November 2022,[28] the millage abolished opt-out system in Oakland County, allowing for the expansion of SMART services to the far reaches of Metro Detroit.[27][29] Work is underway for new routes to begin operations in 2023.[30]

SMART unveiled a new logo and branding in August 2022, coinciding with a new advertising campaign.[31] The following month, SMART introduced their first electric bus, one of four Proterra ZX5 units purchased by the agency with a Federal Transit Administration grant.[32][13]

In February 2023, the original Dart payment app was discontinued, as its creator, Passport, exited the transit payments market. Mobile Dart passes were moved to the Token Transit app.[20][33]

Millage and opt-out system

Since 1995, SMART has been funded in large part by a millage,[8] renewed by voters in member communities in midterm election years through 2022. The millage has historically been approved by wide margins in every member community in Oakland and Wayne counties, though less so in Macomb County, passing there by a narrow margin of 39 votes in 2018.[34] The millage was extended from four to five years in Wayne and Macomb counties, and to ten years in Oakland County, beginning in 2022.

SMART is notable among US transit systems for the ability of individual communities to "opt out" of the system. Opted-out communities are not subject to the taxes levied by the SMART millage, but as a result do not receive SMART's services. Some of these communities are members of smaller transit agencies providing paratransit services for seniors and disabled residents, but lack scheduled fixed-route bus service.

17 communities in Wayne County currently opt out of SMART service, of which all but one (Livonia) opted out with the first millage in 1995.[12] Detroit is one such community, as its own DDOT provides fixed-route bus service to the city, though it is served by SMART's FAST limited-stop routes, as well as other routes during peak hours.

Communities in Macomb County and Oakland County are not able to opt out of SMART, as their millages have been levied countywide since 1995 and 2023, respectively. Four Oakland County communities opted out in 1995 but later rejoined: Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield (both 1996), Walled Lake (2006),[14] and Lathrup Village (2014).[17] The 34 remaining opted-out Oakland County communities were added to the system in 2023.[35]

2022 changes & Oakland County expansion

In 2022, the SMART millage in Macomb and Wayne counties was extended to five years, and moved to the November general election ballot.[36][37] Both were approved by wide margins.[28]

In Oakland County, the SMART millage was replaced with a ten-year countywide public transit millage, which abolished the opt-out system in Oakland County, and funds three smaller paratransit providers (the North Oakland Transportation Authority, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, and Older Persons' Commission) alongside SMART.[27][29] The county's Board of Commissioners approved the new millage proposal on August 10, 2022 in a bipartisan vote, with two Republicans joining all 13 Democrats on the board.[29] The proposal appeared on the November 2022 general election ballot in all Oakland County communities, and passed with 57% of the vote.[28][35] As a result, SMART's service area expanded to all of Oakland County on January 3, 2023, though new services in portions of the county (Novi, Bloomfield Hills, and Wixom) did not begin operation until September 2023, with initialization of further services in 2024.[30]

Wayne County member communities

Services

Fixed-route buses

SMART is the primary public transit operator serving Detroit's suburbs, and fixed-route bus services comprise the majority of its service. 44 routes of various types operate across SMART's three-county service area.

FAST

New Flyer XD60 on FAST Woodward

Frequent Affordable Safe Transit (FAST) is SMART's flagship service; its limited-stop bus routes serve as the main arteries of the network, connecting the suburbs with downtown Detroit. Five FAST routes currently operate along three major Metro Detroit avenues - Gratiot, Michigan, and Woodward - with service every 30 minutes on weekdays, and stops roughly every mile for most of their length.[18]

Route Name # Termini Length Headway (minutes) Notes
Mon-Fri Sat Sun
FAST Michigan 261 Spirit Plaza Detroit Metro Airport 22.1 miles (35.6 km) 30 60 60
FAST Woodward 461 Troy Civic Center Park & Ride 24.0 miles (38.6 km) 60 60 60–110 Concurrent from Birmingham south, with service every 30 minutes combined; local stops in Pontiac on 462
462 Great Lakes Crossing/Auburn Mile 32.5 miles (52.3 km) 60 60 120
FAST Gratiot 563 23 Mile Road 27.0 miles (43.5 km) 30 30 60
562 Wayne State University Harrison Township 24.1 miles (38.8 km) 2 trips daily - - Weekday rush hour only; concurrent with 563 from Warren Avenue to Mt. Clemens

Local routes

SMART's 32 local routes serve as the main public transit connection between Detroit's suburbs.[2] Each is classified as either a high-ridership "main corridor" route, a long-distance "crosstown" route, or a "community" route focused on serving denser areas. Almost all connect to FAST, for simple connections to downtown Detroit. Most local routes run hourly, though a few are more frequent.[38]

# Route Name Termini Length Headway (minutes) Notes
Mon-Fri Sat Sun
125 Fort Street/Eureka Road River Rouge

W Jefferson Avenue + Coolidge Highway

Detroit Metro Airport 22.1 miles (35.6 km) 30 60 60
140 Southshore Dearborn

Dearborn Transit Center

Southgate

Meijer

16.8 miles (27.0 km) 60 - - Interlined with 250
160 Downriver Trenton

West Road + Grange Road

26.4 miles (42.5 km) 60 60 - Select runs divert via Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
200 Michigan Avenue Local Dearborn

Fairlane Town Center

Wayne

Michigan Avenue + John Hix Road

11.4 miles (18.3 km) 90 120 120 Concurrent from Wayne Rd east

Select trips start and end at Michigan + Schaefer

210 Westland

Meijer

16.8 miles (27.0 km) 90 120 120
250 Ford Road Dearborn

Dearborn Transit Center

Westland

Meijer

14.4 miles (23.2 km) 60 - - Interlined with 140
275 Telegraph - Taylor/Tel-Twelve Southfield

12 Mile Road + Telegraph Road

Taylor

Meijer

27.4 miles (44.1 km) 40–60 60 - Overlaps with 275 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile
280 Western Wayne Crosstown Detroit

Meijer Old Redford

Detroit Metro Airport 23.0 miles (37.0 km) 60 75 75 Only services Evans Terminal at Metro Airport
305 Grand River Wixom

Meijer

16.1 miles (25.9 km) 60 60 60
375 Telegraph - Old Redford/Pontiac Pontiac

Amazon Pontiac

24.4 miles (39.3 km) 60 60 - Overlaps with 375 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile
400 Southfield/Orchard Ridge Southfield

Northland

West Bloomfield

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital

21.1 miles (34.0 km) 60 - - Alternatively signed as "Civic Center Dr-11 Mile"

Interlined with 405

405 Northwestern Highway Detroit

State Fair Transit Center

21.4 miles (34.4 km) 60 60 - Interlined with 400 on weekdays
415 Greenfield Southfield

Northland

Royal Oak

Meijer Royal Oak

8.7 miles (14.0 km) 70 70 45 Interlined on weekdays and Saturdays
420 Southfield 9.1 miles (14.6 km) 70 70 -
430 Main Street-Big Beaver Detroit

State Fair Transit Center

Troy

Crooks Road + Corporate Drive

16.7 miles (26.9 km) 60 - - One trip daily in each direction serves Royal Oak High School and Royal Oak Middle School
450 Woodward Local - Pontiac Pontiac

Phoenix Center

16.9 miles (27.2 km) 60 60 120 Concurrent from State Fair TC to 10 Mile, and from 11 Mile to Maple; 460 diverts from Woodward to service downtown Royal Oak
460 Woodward Local - Somerset Troy

Somerset Collection

11.8 miles (19.0 km) 60 60 120
494 Dequindre Sterling Heights

Beaumont Hospital-Troy

15.1 miles (24.3 km) 60 60 -
495 John R Troy

Oakland Mall

8.7 miles (14.0 km) 30 45 45
510 Van Dyke Detroit

Bel Air Shopping Center

Sterling Heights

Lakeside Mall

15.8 miles (25.4 km) 20–30 30 60 Trips alternate between northern termini
Shelby Township

Walmart

19.2 miles (30.9 km)
525 Groesbeck Clinton Township

Meijer, Groesbeck Highway

18.3 miles (29.5 km) 60 - -
550 Garfield Roseville

Macomb Mall

Sterling Heights

Lakeside Mall

12.0 miles (19.3 km) 60 - - Interlined with 615
560 Gratiot Local Eastpointe

Gratiot + 8 Mile

Chesterfield

Gratiot + 23 Mile

17.1 miles (27.5 km) 15–20 30 60
610 Kercheval-Harper Grosse Pointe Park

Jefferson Avenue + Alter Road

Clinton Township

15 Mile + Gratiot

17.0 miles (27.4 km) 60 60 65
615 Jefferson Grosse Pointe Farms

Moross Road + Mack Avenue

Roseville

Macomb Mall

11.0 miles (17.7 km) 60 - - Interlined with 550
710 9 Mile Crosstown St. Clair Shores

9 Mile + Jefferson

Southfield

9 Mile + Telegraph

20.7 miles (33.3 km) 45 60 90 First eastbound trip daily starts at 9 Mile + Woodward

No Sunday service west of Lodge Freeway (truncated to 10 Mile + Evergreen)

730 10 Mile Crosstown Grosse Pointe Farms

Moross Road + Mack Avenue

Southfield

10 Mile + Telegraph

28.9 miles (46.5 km) 60 60 - First two trips daily start, and last two end, at Royal Oak Transit Center
740 12 Mile Crosstown Roseville

13 Mile + Little Mack Avenue

Wixom

Meijer

41.9 miles (67.4 km) 60 60 60 Select trips start and end at intermediate stops

No Sunday service west of Woodward Avenue (truncated to Detroit Zoo)

760 13 Mile/14 Mile Crosstown Southfield

12 Mile + Telegraph

26.4 miles (42.5 km) 60 - - Last westbound trip daily ends at Oakland Mall
780 15 Mile Crosstown Clinton Township

15 Mile + Gratiot Avenue

West Bloomfield

Maple Road + Orchard Lake Road

28.3 miles (45.5 km) 60 60 - Last 3 westbound trips daily end at Somerset Collection
790 Pontiac Crosstown Pontiac

Columbia Avenue + Baldwin Avenue

Auburn Hills

Oakland University

16.9 miles (27.2 km) 60 60 60 Select trips divert via Oakland County Courthouse
796 Perry-Opdyke Pontiac

Phoenix Center

Pontiac

Centerpoint Marriott

12.2 miles (19.6 km) 60 - -

Commuter routes

In addition to FAST and local routes, SMART operates seven commuter express routes between Downtown Detroit and the suburbs during weekday rush hours. They run toward Detroit in the morning, and toward the suburbs in the afternoon; all seven follow roughly the same path through Downtown Detroit, serving Spirit Plaza and the Rosa Parks Transit Center.[2]

Routes 255, 530, 620, and 635 run primarily on local roads, twice daily, while routes in the 800-series run primarily on freeways, three times daily. A 50¢ surcharge applies to all fares and passes when riding 800-series routes.

# Route Name Suburban terminus Length Daily

trips

Notes
255 Ford Road Express Westland

Westland Police Department

20.1 miles (32.3 km) 2 Signed only as "Express" on headsign
530 Schoenherr Sterling Heights

Lakeside Mall

23.4 miles (37.7 km) 2
620 Charlevoix Roseville

Macomb Mall

20.4 miles (32.8 km) 2
635 Jefferson Express Harrison Township

Crocker Boulevard + Metro Parkway

23.4 miles (37.7 km) 2
805 Grand River Park & Ride Novi

12 Mile Road + Novi Road

35.9 miles (57.8 km) 3 Concurrent with 305 from downtown Farmington to Novi Road
830 Downriver Park & Ride Trenton

West Road + Grange Road

22.8 miles (36.7 km) 3 Concurrent with 160 from I-75 to Northline, and from Eureka to southern terminus
851 West Bloomfield-Farmington Hills Park & Ride West Bloomfield

Orchard Lake Road + Lone Pine Road

33.6 miles (54.1 km) 3 Breaks from freeway route to serve intermediate stops in Midtown Detroit and Southfield

Fares

SMART and DDOT share a unified fare structure, known as Dart, with most of their passes accepted by both agencies.[19][21] A four-hour pass (the equivalent of a single bus ride) costs US$2 for most riders, with a reduced fare of 50¢ for riders aged 6–18 or over 64, as well as disabled riders. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available, either as physical tickets, or digital passes through the Token Transit app.[39]

Current bus fleet

Fixed routes are operated with a fleet of 262 buses, consisting mostly of biodiesel-powered 40-foot Gillig BRT units, as well as some articulated New Flyer Xcelsior and battery-electric Proterra ZX5 buses. Three terminals, one in each county of the service area, store and maintain the fleet.[13]

Fleet # Year Make Model Length Seating

Capacity

Propulsion Engine
3003–3005 2011 Gillig BRT 40' 38 Diesel-electric hybrid Cummins ISB6.7
3006–3008 2013
3009–3018 2014
3019–3020 2014 Diesel Cummins ISL9
3601–3659 2016
3701–3780 2017 Cummins L9
3801–3840 2018
3901–3938 2019
4001–4023 2020 New Flyer XD60 60.8' 60 Diesel Cummins L9
4024–4027 2021 Proterra ZX5 40' 40 Battery electric Proterra ProDrive

Dial-a-ride and paratransit

Connector

Connector minibus

Connector is a dial-a-ride service available across the SMART service area, which requires a reservation made by telephone at least one day in advance. It is available to residents of all ages, provided they live more than 1/3 of a mile away from a fixed route, though the distance requirement is waived for seniors (65 or older) and disabled riders.[40]

Connector services are operated using a fleet of propane-powered Champion Challenger minibuses.[13]

Community Transit minibus operated by the City of Farmington Hills

Community Transit

Community Transit is a similar paratransit service, available only to seniors and disabled riders. Unlike Connector, which is operated directly by SMART, Community Transit is operated by the municipal governments of member communities, as well as some nonprofit organizations.

Community Transit is operated with a fleet of Champion and ElDorado minibuses, and Ford E-Series and Transit vans, painted white with red-and-orange stripes.[13]

Microtransit

Flex Chrysler Pacifica

Flex is an on-demand microtransit service, operated under contract by Via Transportation.[41][42] The service operates similar to ridesharing; a passenger books a ride via telephone or through the Flex smartphone app, and a marked vehicle (usually a minivan) picks them up and takes them to their destination.[43] Flex was launched in March 2021, and currently operates in five service zones, covering all or part of 20 Metro Detroit communities.

Flex vehicles are driven by independent contractors, referred to by Via as "driver partners."[44] The fleet used for Flex, owned by Avis Budget Group,[44] consists mostly of Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna minivans. Each vehicle seats three to five Flex passengers, and some are equipped to transport wheelchairs.

Flex fares are distance-based, ranging from $2 to $8, and paid through the Flex app with a major credit or debit card. Dart passes are also accepted on Flex.

Most SMART vehicles' fleet numbers, including minibuses and support vehicles, correspond to their model year; the first two digits of the fleet number are the two-digit model year plus 20. For instance, vehicles 3746 and 37007 are both of the 2017 model year.[45]

Governance

SMART is headquartered in the Buhl Building in downtown Detroit.[46] It is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, consisting of two members each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, and one from Monroe County, appointed by their respective county executives.[47][43]

Board of Directors members

Wayne County

Oakland County

  • Hilarie Chambers, Chief Deputy County Executive (chairperson)
  • Bret Rasegan, Planning Manager

Macomb County

  • John Paul Rea, Deputy County Executive
  • (vacant seat)

Monroe County

  • Royce Maniko, former Chief Finance Officer

Labor relations

The majority of SMART's workforce is unionized. Fixed-route bus drivers are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1564,[48] Connector drivers by Teamsters Local 247, mechanics by UAW Local 771,[49] and dispatchers and supervisors by AFSCME Local 1786.[50] The independent contractors employed by Via Transportation for SMART Flex are not unionized.

References

  1. ^ SMART names Dwight Ferrell as its new general manager, Mass Transit Magazine, published August 16, 2021
  2. ^ a b c d "System Map" (PDF). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. September 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "History of Regional Transit in Southeast Michigan". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012.
  4. ^ "Southeastern Michigan Transportation History Part II: The New Regional Transportation Authority Moves Forward". Detroit Transit History. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Barron, James (November 23, 1984). "Flaws Slowing People Mover Project". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "Saving SMART". Detroit Free Press. Knight Ridder. February 29, 1992. pp. 8A – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Waldmeir, Pete (May 28, 1995). "Big SMART victory was no plot; just a case of voters doing the decent thing". The Detroit News. Gannett – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c Ourlian, Robert; Seymour, Liz (May 29, 1995). "SMART checking ways to improve routes". The Detroit News. Gannett. pp. 10A – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "SMART Approval". Detroit Free Press. Knight Ridder. June 8, 1995. pp. 10A.
  10. ^ Pullen, Ginger; Thurtell, Joel (November 1, 1994). "Van service gives commuters a lift'". Detroit Free Press. Knight Ridder. pp. 5C – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Selinger, Marc (June 18, 1996). "Macomb to add to bus services". Detroit Free Press. Knight Ridder. pp. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Bello, Marisol (December 30, 2005). "Detroit is bracing for a lean new year". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. pp. 1A – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation". CPTDB Wiki. Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board.
  14. ^ a b "Election 2006". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. July 9, 2006. pp. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Public Notices". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009.
  16. ^ "Farmington City Council Reverses Decision and Stays in SMART". WDIV. January 31, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "This Suburb Opted In to SMART After 19 Years". Motor City Freedom Riders. March 4, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Runyan, Robin (December 28, 2017). "Ride to the airport for $2.00 on new SMART bus service". Curbed Detroit. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Lawrence, Eric D. (April 17, 2019). "DDOT, SMART to launch unified payment system to cut hassle for Detroit bus riders". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Detroit launches Dart app for mobile transit payments and passes, powered by Passport". Michigan Chronicle. September 9, 2019.
  21. ^ a b Lawrence, Eric D. (August 20, 2019). "QLINE to join DDOT, SMART unified payment system beginning in October". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "SMART Flex Service Has On Demand Transit in Pontiac, Auburn Hills, and Troy". Oakland County Times. December 21, 2021.
  23. ^ Laitner, Bill (February 22, 2022). "Auburn Hills council votes to drop SMART bus service". Detroit Free Press. Gannett.
  24. ^ Rowe, Corey. "Auburn Hills Transit: Call to Action". Rochester Riders.
  25. ^ Lawrence, Eric D. (May 18, 2022). "Auburn Hills wants to leave SMART bus system — but judge's ruling becomes major hurdle". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  26. ^ Tuttle, Nicole (March 12, 2022). "Macomb Township seeks to opt out of SMART". The Macomb Daily.
  27. ^ a b c Lawrence, Eric D. (August 10, 2022). "Oakland County commissioners OK countywide transit millage for ballot". Detroit Free Press. Gannett.
  28. ^ a b c Hall, Christina; Lawrence, Eric D. (November 9, 2022). "Oakland County all in on transit as millage passes; Macomb, Wayne voters also show support". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c McNichol, Peg (August 12, 2022). "Oakland County voters will decide countywide transit millage". The Oakland Press. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  30. ^ a b Yazbeck, Thomas (February 10, 2023). "New SMART Bus Routes Coming in 2023!". Transportation Riders United.
  31. ^ "Board of Directors Meeting - August 25, 2022" (PDF). Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. August 24, 2022.
  32. ^ McLenon, Alex (September 27, 2022). "SMART acquires its first electric buses". WDET. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  33. ^ Lawrence, Eric D. (February 22, 2023). "DDOT, SMART bus riders to use new app for digital passes". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  34. ^ Hall, Christina (August 17, 2018). "It's official: SMART millage passes in Macomb Co. by a whole 39 votes". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Oakland County voters pass millage to expand public transportation". WXYZ. November 9, 2022.
  36. ^ Lawrence, Eric D. (August 11, 2022). "Wayne County board OKs SMART millage for ballot in opt-in communities". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
  37. ^ Lawrence, Eric D. (July 14, 2022). "Macomb County voters will get to decide fate of SMART transit millage". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  38. ^ "Schedules by Route". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  39. ^ "Fares". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  40. ^ "Using Connector Service". www.smartbus.org. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  41. ^ "SMART launches SMART Flex, Detroit's first on-demand transit service with Via". Via Transportation. March 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  42. ^ Marini, Miriam (March 24, 2021). "SMART's new van service will help riders with shorter trips". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  43. ^ a b Vision for Mobility. Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. 2022.
  44. ^ a b "Detroit First Day". Drive With Via. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  45. ^ "Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation". CPTDB Wiki. Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "Contact". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  47. ^ "Board of Directors". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  48. ^ Lawrence, Eric D. "Pay, scheduling causes widespread SMART, DDOT driver shortage, missed routes". Detroit Free Press. Gannett. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  49. ^ "UAW Local 771". Union Facts. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  50. ^ "SMART Facts & History". Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
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