Detroit Draws Closer To Regional Transit System

Now economic power -- nationally and globally -- is a crucial reason why Michigan and metro Detroit's political, business, and grassroots leaders have reached the final phase of a promising plan to build a rapid bus line. The Speedlink transit system calls for double-length buses running in express lanes, weatherproof shelters, and on-board technology to turn traffic signals green as buses approach. According to Kelly Thayer, an environmental journalist and transportation project coordinator at the Michigan Land Use Institute, the challenge before leaders of the seven-county Detroit region is to stay onboard rather than halt progress out of funding fears and concerns about political control. But there really is no other choice, say many business leaders, if the Motor City and its suburbs hope to remain economically competitive.Indeed, cities across America have steered around thorny political obstacles and crafted convenient and cost-effective rapid transit systems to become more attractive to workers, entrepreneurs and tourists. In the Midwest alone, Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis, and even Racine, Wisconsin, have built or are developing express bus or train service. Detroit, however, remains the nation's largest metro area without rapid transit. Building a Detroit regional rapid transit system would cost about $2 billion over 25 years, plus $200 million annually to operate. With the funding issue as the last major hill to climb, southeast Michigan is well on its way toward reaching its transit destination and solidifying its place as a world leader in taking people where they want to go.