Feds End Financial Restrictions on Detroit's Bus System

The Federal Transit Authority is calling the Detroit Department of Transportation in from the cold.

1 minute read

January 10, 2017, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


GMC Fishbowl

Danielle Scott / Flickr

Matt Helms reports: "Detroit’s bus system is making significant improvements, enough that the U.S. government is lifting financial restrictions on how the agency can access federal funding."

The Federal Transit Administration imposed restrictions on federal funding for the beleaguered Detroit Department of Transportation in 2013, reaffirming the decision again in 2015. Since then, however, "Detroit has made huge strides, and the restrictions were lifted last month," reports Helms.

Improvements in the Detroit DOT's bus system performance include better on-time bus departures (98 percent in November, up from 62 percent in January 2014). The improvement efforts were greatly assisted by the purchase of 80 new buses in 2015. "The new buses and improved operations have allowed Detroit to expand routes and increase frequency of buses, in addition to adding 24-hour service along some of its busiest routes: Woodward, Gratiot and Grand River," adds Helms.  

Monday, January 9, 2017 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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

8 seconds ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

1 hour ago - Urban Milwaukee

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA