Detroit's People Mover Turns 20

Detroit's People Mover public transit system, first launched in 1987, celebrates its 20-year anniversary this year. And although the system spans just 2.9 miles and describes a glorified circle downtown, ridership has increased 72 percent since 2005 (when Detroit played host to the Super Bowl and ridership soared).

"Transit leaders say they hope that continuing downtown development, such as the RiverWalk, will keep ridership strong. Train usage fell to a low of 922,644 riders in 2004 -- mainly because of construction at General Motors Corp.'s Renaissance Center.

Despite the People Mover's rebound, some continue to question whether it has lived up to expectations. For years, city residents clamored to have it extend into Oakland County suburbs.

Dennis Green, marketing manager for the People Mover, said in the past, residents submitted proposals to construct a system that would travel to the New Center area or as far as Pontiac. But those plans never materialized because of cost, Green said.

The cost to keep the train running is more than $22 million; the city subsidizes $6.5 million. Riders pay 50 cents per ride, which Green said is a better deal compared with the higher fees on some rail systems in other states."