Detroit is infamous for its lack of regional transit (or local transit for that matter), but the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan this month launched a master planning process that could finally fill some of the region's gaps.
Leonard N. Fleming reports on the mood at recent public hearings held by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) as it undertakes a master plan process that would set an agenda for transit in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.
The public hearings are taking place in advance of a 2016 ballot initiative that will ask voters "to fund the RTA and three bus rapid transit routes up Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac, Michigan Avenue from Detroit to Ann Arbor, and up Gratiot in Detroit to M-59." The master plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.
Ryan Felton reported the initial announcement of the master plan process, which is described as "a step forward in developing a comprehensive plan for public transportation across metro Detroit." Felton also notes the hiccups experienced by the RTA since its creation in 2012.
The RTA's website also includes a website introducing the master plan, titled the BEST: Regional Master Transit Plan, which it says will plan for transit on a 20-year horizon.
FULL STORY: Metro Detroit residents sound off on public transit
Regional Transit in Detroit: An Idea Whose Time Has Not Yet Come
Transit supporters in the Detroit region suffered a setback last week, but the hope is that they've only lost a battle, not the war, for regional transit.
Cultivating a Culture of Transit
How Detroit, historical home of the U.S. automotive industry, can create a culture of transit and the equitable transportation system its residents need.
Detroit CEOs Want a Regional Transit Plan
The idea has failed before, most recently in 2016, but the attempt at wooing Amazon has the idea of a regional approach to public transit back on the table in Detroit.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.
Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.
Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions