Detroit Transit Agency Requests $20M Budget Increase

The Detroit Department of Transportation wants to boost ridership by hiring more drivers, buying new buses, and enhancing station infrastructure.

1 minute read

March 19, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Green Detroit Department of Transportation bus on city street.

Kyah117, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The Detroit Department of Transportation wants to hire more bus drivers, replace aging buses, and add more bus shelters throughout the city — if city officials approve a proposed $20 million increase in the department’s budget, reports Dana Afana for Detroit Free Press.

“In their 2025-26 budget presentation to the city council, DDOT officials said they expect to hire at least 63 more drivers and replace 45 buses.” The agency hopes to exceed pre-pandemic ridership levels.

According to Afana, “Several Detroit City Council members expressed particular support for planned shelter improvements — which would include solar lighting, USB charging ports, improved access and benches — and called on DDOT to focus attention in districts with fewer shelters than others.” Plans also include accessible shelters with benches and new station designs that streamline boarding.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Detroit Free Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

10 seconds ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

2 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

4 hours ago - The Washington Post