Feds End Financial Restrictions on Detroit's Bus System

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.