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

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