DDOT Reimagined Virtual Public Hearing
Detroit Department of Transportation
Transportation
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View the DDOT Reimagined Final Plan
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Bridget Scallen
DDOT officials shared an overview of the DDOT Reimagined process and final plan. DDOT officials emphasized the meeting was to record public comment about the plan; they would not – and did not – respond to comments or questions.
Hello, Detroit. Today at 5pm I’ll be live-tweeting the Detroit Department of Transportation Reimagined Virtual Public Hearing for @DetDocumenters. Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @Michigan_public @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit.
01:01 PM Feb 15, 2024 CST
The Reimagined Plan report is "the culmination of DDOT's multi-year work to develop a roadmap for the future of transit in the City of Detroit:" . Details to tune into the virtual meeting are available at the @CityofDetroit webpage: detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm… detroitmi.gov/events/ddot-re…
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
detroitmi.gov/events/ddot-re…
@CityofDetroit While the title of the report and the report summary state it proposes a bold plan for "transit" and "mobility," notably there is no mention of "rail" except in the Guiding Principles and Service Framework (page 9).
@CityofDetroit Context of road safety: - "Traffic deaths are rising quickly in the US, constituting a public health crisis on the nation’s roadways." - "As of 2020, Detroit’s traffic crash fatality rate per capita is the second highest among large cities in the US, and our pedestrian fatality-
@CityofDetroit - rate is the third highest." - "The traffic fatality rate per capita in Canada is less than half that of the US." source: "Streets for People: Detroit Comprehensive Safety Action Plan" September 2022, . detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
@CityofDetroit Recent news: On January 4th, a new MoA between Local 26 and the City raised new bus driver wage by $3 per hour. Starting drivers' wage is now up to $19.15 per hour from the [then] current rate of $16.15 per hour. @SarahRahal_w detroitnews.com/story/news/loc… https://twitter.com/CityofDetroit/status/1743008044827512866
detroitnews.com/story/news/loc…
@CityofDetroit Note: I am watching and live-tweeting on a tiny laptop (no two-screen or monitor set-up) -- thanks for your understanding of this constraint.
@CityofDetroit DDOT on the *dot*. A person came live to zoom at 5:00 to say they'll be starting the public hearing in five minutes, to give people time to log on.
@CityofDetroit DDOT person introduces purpose and meeting rules: Purpose: DDOT is limiting comments & responses to those that involve Final DDOT Reimagined Plan. There will be two-min time limit for people to give comment after the presentation is completed. Meeting rules: No personal attacks.
@CityofDetroit DDOT person presents "virtual housekeeping, permission, and reminders" slide. Most of it is on muting.
@CityofDetroit DDOT is not responding to comments today; "this is your opportunity to get your comment on record," says Steve Patrinick of DDOT.
DDOT Patrinick gives overview of the process of DDOT Reimagined including community outreach.
DDOT Reimagined was created because Detroit has changed - and "access to these opportunities is critical," says Patrinick. A top-to-bottom review was overdue.
Draft plan outreach included a mobile classroom that DDOT "took on the road" as well as 20 pop-up events around Detroit at key bus stops and transit centers. They also conducted an online and paper survey and asked Detroiters face-to-face what they thought of the plan.
DDOT made four changes from the draft plan to incorporate public feedback. "What really changes" from the current state of bus transit to the Final Plan is "access to frequent, enhanced transit," Patrinick says.
Capital Plan includes seven enhanced transit corridors. Some parts (services changes?) of E. Jefferson Enhanced Corridor Pilot went into effect a few weeks ago, other features will be added. Capital Plan also includes "passenger facilities" and hiring more operators.
To implement, DDOT will also need to pull out more buses each day. Patrinick asks attendees to help make the plan a reality by reaching out to City Council or DONs DM and to share feedback w/ DDOT on how DDOT is doing.
Public comment 1: Asks if DDOT plans to make more shelters for the buses? DDOT person responds this is for comment for the record. Person says it's nice they are improving, putting more bus routes out there.
Public comment 2: With Detroit People's Platform. We still have a lot of ADA riders that ride the bus, not paratransit- needs to be shorter than 10 minutes. What about time frame of the seven enhanced corridors? She will reach out to council as always-
-- but if pay isn't the way it should be if you don't have mechanics, operators, new buses, it won't go the way it should.
Public comment 3: Vice Chair of Regional Transit Authority- What I'm seeing here today is we're dong the right thing for DDOT (futurist), but we we need to think on what needs to come first. He focuses on route to Livonia Walmart being scrapped, what does it mean for communities?
Public comment 4: Person w/ Detroit People's Platform- speaks on importance of increased frequency. City of Detroit is most under-funded transit system in the US. Supports expansion into suburbs & downriver for our workers. Several routes slated for elimination are being restored
- which indicates DDOT responsiveness. He also speaks on need for reduced or no fare for individuals a certain percentage of the poverty level which is a matter of equity.
Public comment 5: Persons asks how does DDOT plan on paying for DDOT Reimagined. DDOT person responds they are only taking comments tonight but thank you for that. She proceeds to next commenter.
Public comment 6: He asks if service will increase frequency (?) when District Court is open? He says he likes the plan, but they need new bus signs, new shelters, sometimes he waits two hours for the bus on Sundays.
Public comment 7: He passed out ~20 fliers of corrected copies, curious how many people are in meeting. Wants to know if any City Council is in the meeting. Will this be shared on cable tv. How will DDOT pay for DDOT Reimagined? "That really wasn't stated." Conant bus is-
- a good thing. A lot of buses are raggedy, should have better maintenance, and wifi. DDOT person asks him if he has comment, and he repeats question how are you going to pay for this?
Public comment 8: She likes the Reimagined Plan. The N-S route in Brightmoore area, from Outer Drive to Six Mile but there are no pick-ups in that area. There need to be pick-ups added in that area. Citizens have to walk too far to get a bus going N-S in that area.
Public comment 9: Concern for the plan is the auditing- that all systems are functional including wifi, new buses electrical sockets, operators fully trained, tracking system turned on and they are aware if audio system is functioning. We also need to make sure there is seasonal-
-service. We need to make sure there's sufficient service for both schoolchildren and other riders at the times school begins and lets out. "And yes we need some new buses."
Public comment 10: Likes the plan overall. - But it's a little confusing the Final Plan will be phased in- would be nice to have more info on what will be phased when. - More attn may need to be paid to downtown routing. Routes 1 and 2 only touch edge of downtown. Modify plan?
- SW Detroit and Hamtramck should really have some more service. Those are some of the densest neighborhoods. - Really appreciates how tightly this plan is integrated with Capital improvement. Would be great to see timeline, v. excited of this aspect of this plan.
Public comment 11: Lives on East Side, grateful to live near two major arterial roads. Likes the plan; it's long overdue. He cannot drive. He has two options: Route 40 and Route 2(?). One that goes to Eastern Market doesn't operate frequently on Saturdays that handicaps market.
Public comment 12: Applauds Route 52 (Chene bus). Her concern is with bus tracker system: will that system be updated, and will it include SMART? DDOT person responds we're just doing the plan today. Commenter would hate to see Chene route go away, proposes alternative.
Public comment 13: Overall he likes the plan. - DDOT should help city retirees to ride the buses. - We need to improve overall service, make sure buses are properly inspected. - DDOT should advocate not to close down streets or make them one-direction.
Public comment 14: Hard to understand what she is saying likely due to a speech difficulty. She would like...main corridor... Eight Mile. [I've heard her make public comment before. Why don't hosts ask her if she would prefer to type?] Outlier reporter asks her to contact her.
Public comment 15: He was wondering, when he looked at the blueprint when it first launched, the arterial streets like Grand River, Woodward, Jefferson, there may be bus rapid transit or light rail transit. Is that a possibility they'd add those accordion busses?-
- DDOT person says we're just taking comments. He repeats his question, and says that's the only comment he has.
Public comment 17: She enjoys what she sees of the plan. As ADA rider herself & advocate for Disability Community, - how is training going w/ new operators in terms of ADA compliance. - re: frequency she'd like to see drivers make sure riders enter safely.-
That's the end of the live public comment. DDOT person says if you would like to make public comment, DDOt invites you to send your comment before March 17th by email or USPS.
Patrinick of DDOT invites people to look at route alignments. Russell bus is not part of this plan but busiest parts near route (unserviced?) are picked up by two other buses.
Here is the chat. One person asked to speak after public comment had concluded. DDOT did not recognize nor address his chat question.
DDOT thanked everyone for public commenting and then ended the meeting at 6pm on the *dot*. :)
That concludes my coverage of today's @RideDDOT Reimagined Virtual Public Hearing for @DetDocumenters. For more meeting coverage, please check out . detroit.documenters.org
detroit.documenters.org
@RideDDOT @DetDocumenters If you believe anything in this coverage today is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org w/ "Correction Request" in the subject line. ✍️
Live reporting by
Bridget Scallen
DDOT officials shared an overview of the DDOT Reimagined process and final plan. DDOT officials emphasized the meeting was to record public comment about the plan; they would not – and did not – respond to comments or questions.
Hello, Detroit. Today at 5pm I’ll be live-tweeting the Detroit Department of Transportation Reimagined Virtual Public Hearing for @DetDocumenters. Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @Michigan_public @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit.
01:01 PM Feb 15, 2024 CST
The Reimagined Plan report is "the culmination of DDOT's multi-year work to develop a roadmap for the future of transit in the City of Detroit:" . Details to tune into the virtual meeting are available at the @CityofDetroit webpage: detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm… detroitmi.gov/events/ddot-re…
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
detroitmi.gov/events/ddot-re…
@CityofDetroit While the title of the report and the report summary state it proposes a bold plan for "transit" and "mobility," notably there is no mention of "rail" except in the Guiding Principles and Service Framework (page 9).
@CityofDetroit Context of road safety: - "Traffic deaths are rising quickly in the US, constituting a public health crisis on the nation’s roadways." - "As of 2020, Detroit’s traffic crash fatality rate per capita is the second highest among large cities in the US, and our pedestrian fatality-
@CityofDetroit - rate is the third highest." - "The traffic fatality rate per capita in Canada is less than half that of the US." source: "Streets for People: Detroit Comprehensive Safety Action Plan" September 2022, . detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
@CityofDetroit Recent news: On January 4th, a new MoA between Local 26 and the City raised new bus driver wage by $3 per hour. Starting drivers' wage is now up to $19.15 per hour from the [then] current rate of $16.15 per hour. @SarahRahal_w detroitnews.com/story/news/loc… https://twitter.com/CityofDetroit/status/1743008044827512866
detroitnews.com/story/news/loc…
@CityofDetroit Note: I am watching and live-tweeting on a tiny laptop (no two-screen or monitor set-up) -- thanks for your understanding of this constraint.
@CityofDetroit DDOT on the *dot*. A person came live to zoom at 5:00 to say they'll be starting the public hearing in five minutes, to give people time to log on.
@CityofDetroit DDOT person introduces purpose and meeting rules: Purpose: DDOT is limiting comments & responses to those that involve Final DDOT Reimagined Plan. There will be two-min time limit for people to give comment after the presentation is completed. Meeting rules: No personal attacks.
@CityofDetroit DDOT person presents "virtual housekeeping, permission, and reminders" slide. Most of it is on muting.
@CityofDetroit DDOT is not responding to comments today; "this is your opportunity to get your comment on record," says Steve Patrinick of DDOT.
DDOT Patrinick gives overview of the process of DDOT Reimagined including community outreach.
DDOT Reimagined was created because Detroit has changed - and "access to these opportunities is critical," says Patrinick. A top-to-bottom review was overdue.
Draft plan outreach included a mobile classroom that DDOT "took on the road" as well as 20 pop-up events around Detroit at key bus stops and transit centers. They also conducted an online and paper survey and asked Detroiters face-to-face what they thought of the plan.
DDOT made four changes from the draft plan to incorporate public feedback. "What really changes" from the current state of bus transit to the Final Plan is "access to frequent, enhanced transit," Patrinick says.
Capital Plan includes seven enhanced transit corridors. Some parts (services changes?) of E. Jefferson Enhanced Corridor Pilot went into effect a few weeks ago, other features will be added. Capital Plan also includes "passenger facilities" and hiring more operators.
To implement, DDOT will also need to pull out more buses each day. Patrinick asks attendees to help make the plan a reality by reaching out to City Council or DONs DM and to share feedback w/ DDOT on how DDOT is doing.
Public comment 1: Asks if DDOT plans to make more shelters for the buses? DDOT person responds this is for comment for the record. Person says it's nice they are improving, putting more bus routes out there.
Public comment 2: With Detroit People's Platform. We still have a lot of ADA riders that ride the bus, not paratransit- needs to be shorter than 10 minutes. What about time frame of the seven enhanced corridors? She will reach out to council as always-
-- but if pay isn't the way it should be if you don't have mechanics, operators, new buses, it won't go the way it should.
Public comment 3: Vice Chair of Regional Transit Authority- What I'm seeing here today is we're dong the right thing for DDOT (futurist), but we we need to think on what needs to come first. He focuses on route to Livonia Walmart being scrapped, what does it mean for communities?
Public comment 4: Person w/ Detroit People's Platform- speaks on importance of increased frequency. City of Detroit is most under-funded transit system in the US. Supports expansion into suburbs & downriver for our workers. Several routes slated for elimination are being restored
- which indicates DDOT responsiveness. He also speaks on need for reduced or no fare for individuals a certain percentage of the poverty level which is a matter of equity.
Public comment 5: Persons asks how does DDOT plan on paying for DDOT Reimagined. DDOT person responds they are only taking comments tonight but thank you for that. She proceeds to next commenter.
Public comment 6: He asks if service will increase frequency (?) when District Court is open? He says he likes the plan, but they need new bus signs, new shelters, sometimes he waits two hours for the bus on Sundays.
Public comment 7: He passed out ~20 fliers of corrected copies, curious how many people are in meeting. Wants to know if any City Council is in the meeting. Will this be shared on cable tv. How will DDOT pay for DDOT Reimagined? "That really wasn't stated." Conant bus is-
- a good thing. A lot of buses are raggedy, should have better maintenance, and wifi. DDOT person asks him if he has comment, and he repeats question how are you going to pay for this?
Public comment 8: She likes the Reimagined Plan. The N-S route in Brightmoore area, from Outer Drive to Six Mile but there are no pick-ups in that area. There need to be pick-ups added in that area. Citizens have to walk too far to get a bus going N-S in that area.
Public comment 9: Concern for the plan is the auditing- that all systems are functional including wifi, new buses electrical sockets, operators fully trained, tracking system turned on and they are aware if audio system is functioning. We also need to make sure there is seasonal-
-service. We need to make sure there's sufficient service for both schoolchildren and other riders at the times school begins and lets out. "And yes we need some new buses."
Public comment 10: Likes the plan overall. - But it's a little confusing the Final Plan will be phased in- would be nice to have more info on what will be phased when. - More attn may need to be paid to downtown routing. Routes 1 and 2 only touch edge of downtown. Modify plan?
- SW Detroit and Hamtramck should really have some more service. Those are some of the densest neighborhoods. - Really appreciates how tightly this plan is integrated with Capital improvement. Would be great to see timeline, v. excited of this aspect of this plan.
Public comment 11: Lives on East Side, grateful to live near two major arterial roads. Likes the plan; it's long overdue. He cannot drive. He has two options: Route 40 and Route 2(?). One that goes to Eastern Market doesn't operate frequently on Saturdays that handicaps market.
Public comment 12: Applauds Route 52 (Chene bus). Her concern is with bus tracker system: will that system be updated, and will it include SMART? DDOT person responds we're just doing the plan today. Commenter would hate to see Chene route go away, proposes alternative.
Public comment 13: Overall he likes the plan. - DDOT should help city retirees to ride the buses. - We need to improve overall service, make sure buses are properly inspected. - DDOT should advocate not to close down streets or make them one-direction.
Public comment 14: Hard to understand what she is saying likely due to a speech difficulty. She would like...main corridor... Eight Mile. [I've heard her make public comment before. Why don't hosts ask her if she would prefer to type?] Outlier reporter asks her to contact her.
Public comment 15: He was wondering, when he looked at the blueprint when it first launched, the arterial streets like Grand River, Woodward, Jefferson, there may be bus rapid transit or light rail transit. Is that a possibility they'd add those accordion busses?-
- DDOT person says we're just taking comments. He repeats his question, and says that's the only comment he has.
Public comment 17: She enjoys what she sees of the plan. As ADA rider herself & advocate for Disability Community, - how is training going w/ new operators in terms of ADA compliance. - re: frequency she'd like to see drivers make sure riders enter safely.-
That's the end of the live public comment. DDOT person says if you would like to make public comment, DDOt invites you to send your comment before March 17th by email or USPS.
Patrinick of DDOT invites people to look at route alignments. Russell bus is not part of this plan but busiest parts near route (unserviced?) are picked up by two other buses.
Here is the chat. One person asked to speak after public comment had concluded. DDOT did not recognize nor address his chat question.
DDOT thanked everyone for public commenting and then ended the meeting at 6pm on the *dot*. :)
That concludes my coverage of today's @RideDDOT Reimagined Virtual Public Hearing for @DetDocumenters. For more meeting coverage, please check out . detroit.documenters.org
detroit.documenters.org
@RideDDOT @DetDocumenters If you believe anything in this coverage today is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org w/ "Correction Request" in the subject line. ✍️
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Agency Information
Detroit Department of Transportation
The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is the largest public transit provider in Michigan that serves the City of Detroit, surrounding suburbs, and neighboring cities, including Highland Park and Hamtramck. DDOT prides itself on providing reliable, clean, safe, and efficient service.
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