News Summary
At a recent mobility forum in Detroit, five mayoral candidates presented their visions for enhancing public transportation ahead of the 2025 race. The discussion underscored the urgent need for improvements, especially to the bus system, which many residents depend on. Candidates emphasized collaboration with the Regional Transit Authority and highlighted different strategies to tackle public transit challenges, including funding and community feedback. With a second forum planned for June, the focus remains on transforming Detroit’s public transportation landscape.
Detroit hosted a mobility forum at Newlab on Tuesday, where five mayoral candidates shared their visions for improving public transportation in the city. The forum marks a critical moment as it was the first event focused on transportation for the upcoming 2025 mayoral race, and it highlighted the significant need for addressing public transit issues in Detroit.
The discussion centered around enhancing the city’s bus system, which many residents rely on for daily transportation. Participants underlined the importance of reliable public transit for boosting business growth in the region. Approximately one-third of Detroiters currently experience challenges due to a lack of safe and dependable transportation options.
None of the candidates suggested dissolving the Detroit Department of Transportation. Instead, all expressed a willingness to collaborate with the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan to improve services. This potential partnership may focus on sharing resources and paving the way for increased funding to support transit initiatives.
The forum was moderated by Stephen Henderson, an Executive Advisor at BridgeDetroit. Another transportation forum is scheduled for June 4, hosted by Transportation Riders United and several advocacy groups at the Wayne State Industry Innovation Center, providing further opportunity for candidates to discuss their transportation policies.
Among the nine candidates vying for the 2025 primary ballot was Rogelio Landin, who is campaigning as a write-in candidate. The candidates participating in the recent forum included Barlow, Durhal, Jenkins, Perkins, and Landin, each presenting unique perspectives on how to elevate public transit in the city.
Barlow, a venture capitalist and tech entrepreneur, articulated a vision emphasizing innovation in public transit, specifically addressing the challenges of the “last mile” issue, where transportation stops short of reaching final destinations. He raised concerns about the accuracy of the city’s real-time bus tracking system and called for a more accessible city website.
Additionally, Barlow highlighted a strategy to assist unhoused individuals at the Rosa Parks Transit Center and pledged support for collaboration with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to enhance student transportation options.
Durhal reflected on his experience securing $2.7 million in additional funding aimed at improving bus shelters through the Detroit Department of Transportation. He noted that average wait times for bus routes on major streets often extend between 30 to 45 minutes and asserted the necessity for substantial increases in funding to facilitate transit improvements.
Jenkins contributed to the discussion by advocating for a more comprehensive approach to transit, pointing out the significant underfunding of bus drivers and mechanics. He proposed that increasing wages for these essential roles could help attract more drivers and significantly enhance transit efficiency and reliability.
Perkins emphasized the need to address social, racial, and political divides as part of improving regional transit. He referenced his past experiences utilizing public buses during his school years to underline the importance of accessible transportation for all demographics.
Throughout the forum, all candidates agreed that collaboration, community feedback, and substantial investment are vital components for creating a more reliable public transportation system in Detroit. Landin, the write-in candidate, pointed to population growth in Detroit as an opportunity, suggesting the potential annexation of neighboring communities to help bolster transit revenue and services.
The future of Detroit’s public transit will require innovative public-private partnerships and dependable funding sources from both state and federal levels. As the city prepares for the upcoming election, the candidates’ commitments to enhancing transit services may play an essential role in shaping the future mobility landscape of Detroit.
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Additional Resources
- BridgeDetroit: Celebrating 5 Years of Community Journalism in Detroit
- Wikipedia: Public transport in the United States
- BridgeDetroit: Michigan Lawmakers See Promise in Cash Aid Program
- Google Search: public transportation Detroit
- BridgeDetroit: Jimmy John’s Picklewich Sparks Love for Detroit’s Pickle Sandwich Shop
- Google Scholar: public transportation Detroit
- BridgeDetroit: Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist Makes His 2026 Gubernatorial Run Official
- Encyclopedia Britannica: transportation in Detroit
- BridgeDetroit: Mike Duggan’s Bid for Governor
- Google News: Detroit public transportation
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
