QLINE Virtual Community Update Meeting

@DetDocumenters @media_outlier @wdet @CitizenDetroit @Detour_Detroit @freep @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET The meeting started at 6:35 p.m. so everyone could join in a timely fashion. Sommer Woods greeted everyone. The agenda includes operation updates, a Q&A and more.

The QLine is back in service, Woods says. She’s showing a picture of the Qline up and running during D-electricity in front of the Detroit Public Library. Woods says Free Fares have been extended, and that will continue through March.

Lisa Nuszkowski is taking over the meeting and is highlighting management changes at M-1 Rail, which runs the QLine. It is the first anniversary of her time as the leader there as the full-time president; she formerly ran MoGo.

Nuszkowski: M-1 Rail has changed from its previous operator (Transdev) to local leadership. Transdev was typically less than 60% on time or early and ridership was around 61,000 during most months. “People didn’t want to stand there and wait…We saw ridership drop off.”

Nuszkowski: The QLine is on time much more frequently now. Ridership is way down because of the pandemic–that’s because there are fewer downtown events and people are not going into the office.

This graph shows how much more the QLine is on time from 2019 (first line in green) and 2021 (second line in blue). Nuszkowski shared this graphic to show the change now that the QLine is under local management. https://t.co/81ix27FhW3

Nuszkowski: Top challenges for the QLine: 1. Vehicle blockages. 2. Emergency services in the right of way. 3. Signal issues. 4. Streetcar maintenance. 5. Passenger issue. 6. Heavy event traffic. She says people had better habits in terms of not parking on the lines pre-pandemic.

Nuszkowski: How the QLine addresses vehicle blockages and emergencies: M-1 tows vehicles off the alignment (this is through state legislation). M-1 Rail does NOT collect any fees or revenues through towing. Since 9/21: Police have issued > 4k traffic violations; 74 cars towed.

Nuszkowski: During the pandemic, M-1 worked on simplifying its systems, bettering real-time arrival information for consumers. They better know the spacing of the cars and timing on station monitors; this provides higher reliability for riders, she says.

Nuszkowski: M-1 put in a dedicated transit lane in front of Little Caesars Arena (LCA). This helps address heavy traffic around events. She notes that pre-pandemic, this was “a very happening place,” so having people out there putting the cones out was laborious and expensive.

Nuszkowski: This permeant infrastructure in front of LCA with signage, paint, etc. makes it easier for cars and people. M-1 also hopes to modify traffic signals in this area to make it easier for rail and buses at intersections; this extends the green light for these vehicles.

Nuszkowski: There’s been “a significant amount of progress” in improving QLine’s services. This includes: Terminating Transdev; completing 2-year strategic business plan; signing collective agreement with ATU Local 26; hired 42 employees; certified 18 new streetcar operators.

Nuszkowski: Other signs of progress include that new dedicated transit line in front of LCA; recruited and trained 12 ambassadors; refreshed QLine branding; implemented Swiftly for operations and customer real-time arrival info, including new station monitor designs.

Nuszkowski: As for Covid protocols–all drivers should be wearing masks and all riders should be wearing masks. Ambassadors have masks to provide to riders who don’t have one. There’s also hand sanitizer in the cars for riders. Team members are getting tested on a regular basis.

Nuszkowski: Here are the 2022 priorities for M-1 and QLine. 1. Continue to improve on quality and reliability of service. 2. Increase partnerships and programming to drive ridership. 3. Focus on long-term sustainability. Top will always be quality and reliability, she emphasized.

Meeting goes back to Woods. Woods highlights the Business Perks Program–all businesses along the Woodward corridor and side streets can participate by offering discount or incentive programs for QLine riders. Businesses can also receive promotion from QLine’s socials, website.

Woods: Business Perks Program has no costs for businesses that want to participate. Great option for businesses to cross promote and boost their goods and services in this challenging business environment because of the pandemic.

Woods has opened the meeting up to Q&A. Encouraging people to add questions into the chat for them to address or unmute participants.

First public comment comes from Keith: He rides regularly and sees people riding without masks all the time. He has contacted M-1 about this issue but to little effect. He’d like the Ambassadors more involved in the prime time (5-7) hours to protect all with masks.

Public comment from Daniel Himes: Can you better coordinate with LCA events or late-night events so it is easier for people to use the QLine rather than buses in the after hours? Nuszkowski: We are working on the hours issue; had to re-assess the issue after the pandemic restart.

Nuszkowski: The QLine likely won’t increase hours in the short term during this major Covid surge. But there are plans to expand hours as things get better and there is less of a Covid spread in the next couple months to meet people’s needs post 8 p.m. and during events.

Public comment from Megan Owens: How are you addressing the traffic light signals in different areas–seems like longer slowdowns at certain streets. Nuszkowski: The challenge is different jurisdictions have control over different lights. Working on timing issues with MDOT, etc.

Woods: Thank you to the public for the feedback. We know everyone is Zoom fatigued. Look on our website and social media channels for updates on the QLine and M-1 Rail. Nuszkowski: Thanks as well for getting on the QLine again! We appreciate your trust. End: 7:21.

For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org. #detdocumenters