Live reporting by
Heather Alder
Detroit’s Interim Director of Transit Michael Staley said 45 in-use buses are at the end of their useful life, and half of those are down on any given day. Diesel and hybrid parts are experiencing 30-60 day lead times, and electric bus parts are taking 8-10 months to arrive.
Heather P In The D!
@HeatherPInTheD
Morning #Detroit #whatupdoe I’ll B back @5pm 2 cover the DDOT Virtual Community Input Meeting 4 #DetroitDocumenters @DetDocumenters & our media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit. C U Later!
09:30 AM Sep 19, 2024 CDT
IMPORTANT ::::If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Michael Staley is the Exec Director of Transit for Detroit.
They are showing this video about the “Improve Detroit” app
They are trying to show they are working on issues reported to them.
They are derailing route changes as of January 2025- increasing day time frequencies for many routes
Mr Cunningham stats need Hybrid meetings- ? How many people watching meeting? ? If any council member reps there. Chat shows Anthony Stafford McDonald w/ councilman’s Durhals office- Was advised 34 viewers in zoom and 17 DDOT reps. Stated Paratransit is doing well-
Mr Cunningham was advised they got 83 mechanics- improved # they training and hiring. Mr Staley also advised many buses near or end of usable life.
Next public comment- Robert Pawlowski- Thabkful of progress—? SW city bus shelters being replaced or change routes in SW. Advised only frequent routes there are Vernor or Michigan.
Next Public Comment Mr Donald Verse- 3 ? 1) Rosa Parks Transit Closed after 8pm- few drinking fountains & public bathrooms in area. 2)- Bus issues- is there other maintenance staff for buses? 3)- clarify proposed changes to Saturday/Sunday services—- Answers next!
Answers 3) Weekend services expanding diff routes have later hours. 2) bus parts- usually-30-60 days for parts- due to supplier bankruptcy…6-8 months! 1) was advised Rosa Parks Transit center security issues- working on. Asked Mr Verse to email him if facility is shut down.
Next Public Comment- Miss Billingsley ? WHERES MY RIDE. Was having issues getting to someone on phone- was advised hadn’t heard anything- & advised to call them & dial option 4..manned 24/7.
Next - Bernard Monczubski- Detroits People Platform- ? Where shelters are going 2B placed & more seating- not just main routes- also ? How can we as writers help with on time issues…mentioned 3D printing- Was advised - Drivers & vehicles are issues. Looking at seating options.
Many ? About bus shelters- Mr Staley asked them to put up proposed shelter maps.
They showed this map for a few seconds…Me Staley asked for more detailed information on exact locations-
Public seems to be able to get detailed answers from DDOT leadership for their exact concerns- Some more general. Some ? Very personal.
Concerns about extra stops, or seating or bus delays. If not answered, they are asked to provide more details via email or promise of follow ups.
Mr Staley advised Hybrid meetings looking to start up by end of year.
More concerns of Rosa Parks Transsit center- roof needs to be repaired. Was advised 2025
Next Andre Bryant- ? Automatic voice system for reservations- Was advised - not via voice response…but mobile app you can book trips, but not voice activated.
Next Diante Travis - Plymouth Bus- always having problems- drivers rate 2 of 10- I’m late 2-3 days a week. Driver wrong turns, bus delays hours…not just An hour. 1-4 hrs- Drivers don’t know where to go-
Was advised several different routes in Plymouth. But they will look into… no more public comments
AGAIN——- IMPORTANT ::::If you believe anything in the coverage this morning is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
