Mayoral Candidates Address Detroit’s Public Transportation Issues

News Summary

Five mayoral candidates gathered at Newlab to discuss public transportation challenges in Detroit during a mobility forum ahead of the 2025 election. They proposed various strategies to improve the bus system, enhance service reliability, and secure funding for necessary projects. Candidates acknowledged the urgent need for better coordination with regional partners and emphasized the importance of safe transit options for residents. The forum, moderated by Stephen Henderson, highlighted diverse perspectives and established a platform for future discussions on this critical issue.

Detroit – Five mayoral candidates gathered at Newlab on Wednesday to discuss critical public transportation issues during a mobility forum, a significant event ahead of the 2025 election. The candidates focused on improving Detroit’s bus system, emphasizing the urgent need for reliable transit options to attract businesses and boost the local economy.

Roughly one-third of Detroit residents report a lack of safe and reliable transportation, a challenge all candidates acknowledged. The forum served as a platform to propose strategies for securing funding for new projects and enhancing coordination with regional partners, notably the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA). While none of the candidates favored dissolving the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), they expressed openness to regional collaborations.

Moderated by Stephen Henderson, Executive Advisor for BridgeDetroit, the forum highlighted a range of views among the candidates. With nine candidates total on the primary ballot, those participating in the discussion included Barlow, Durhal, Jenkins, Perkins, and write-in candidate Rogelio Landin.

Candidate Proposals and Insights

Candidates presented varied approaches to address the issues faced by the city’s transit system. Barlow touted himself as “the only innovative candidate” and stressed the importance of tackling “the last mile” in public transit services. He highlighted the need for upgrades to the city’s website and improvements to the real-time bus tracker systems, aimed at enhancing the overall user experience. Barlow also proposed a strategy for assisting unhoused individuals at the Rosa Parks Transit Center.

Durhal brought attention to his recent accomplishment of securing an additional $2.7 million in funding for DDOT, underlining the necessity for more investment in transit services. He noted that a previously sponsored measure for $675,000 focused on replacing bus seats to address issues with rider complaints about bed bugs. Durhal pointed out that average wait times for main bus routes hover between 30 and 45 minutes, complicating daily commuting for many residents.

Jenkins advocated for increasing the number of buses and expanding routes to enhance punctuality and availability. His suggestions aimed to alleviate frustrations faced by riders. Landin offered a unique proposal for annexing neighboring communities, which he believes could contribute to an increase in Detroit’s population and revenue streams.

Perkins emphasized the importance of infrastructural improvements and enhancing rider safety in order to address the ongoing challenges related to transportation in the city. This overarching sentiment of the candidates reflected a shared recognition of the need for better coordination of services within a regional transit system.

Future Forums and Advocacy Efforts

The mobility forum was the first of its kind for the upcoming election cycle. Transportation Riders United, in collaboration with other advocacy organizations, plans to host another forum on June 4 at the Wayne State Industry Innovation Center, providing an additional opportunity for candidates to discuss transportation issues and connect with the community.

The forum underscores the critical role reliable public transit plays in the lives of Detroit’s residents, with all candidates recognizing the need to pay transit drivers competitive wages as a vital step toward enhancing services. As the city moves forward in its electoral process, public transportation remains a focal point for candidates seeking to improve the quality of life for Detroit residents and promote economic growth.

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Additional Resources

• BridgeDetroit: Celebrating 5 years of community journalism in Detroit
• Wikipedia: Public transport in the United States
• BridgeDetroit: It’s the season for invasive plants in Detroit
• Google Search: public transport challenges in Detroit
• BridgeDetroit: 5 Years After COVID-19 Outbreak
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public transportation
• BridgeDetroit: Detroit’s 1375 Freeway Reconfiguration Plan
• Google News: Detroit mayoral candidate public transport forum
• BridgeDetroit: Mayoral candidate James Craig on Trump alliance
• Google Scholar: Detroit public transportation policy