DDOT, Virtual Community Input Meeting

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This site has the information you need to join the meeting virtually, through Zoom: https://detroitmi.gov/events/ddot-virtual-community-input-meeting-5-15-25

In the Zoom call now, Ayobami B. Torrence - DDOT Outreach announced that we’ll be starting soon.

5:06 Torrence officially starts the meeting.

Executive Director of Transit, Robert Cramer, gives opening remarks. Says that he welcomes all feedback, good or bad.

Torrence goes over the rules, including a 2 minute speaking limit per commenter.

Following public comment, here are service changes effective in June.

Now Torrence lists proposed DDOT changes for September

Here’s an update on the new Coolidge Terminal, which is scheduled to open some time next year, and an update on recruiting, and paratransit.

A safety update about the use of metal detectors which will go live on May 22

Here’s a listing of the DDOT upcoming meetings:

Moving in to Public Comment-

1. Transit advocate, member of Citizens Advisory Committee of RTA. Thanks DDOT for transparency. Is wondering about Fort St route. 30 minutes peak periods, 40 minutes not peak periods isn’t bad, but wonders why it couldn’t be brought down even more?

Answer to caller 1 - they are adding more service gradually instead of all at once.

Caller has a lot of feedback about this route, willing to dig in more separately.

1. Common, Conant routes need more frequency. Whole system needs to be up to 30 minute frequencies at least.

Fort should be extended beyond Outer Drive, it is not a safe area. The department should have more consideration for Southwest Detroit.

1. Cont - Are the busses meeting their schedules from the past round of improvements?

They have been meeting their goals after the first few weeks of service.

1. More support on Fort St. getting expanded, dangerous, narrow sidewalk in the area. Drivers give her an attitude about using the accessibility ramp. Would love to see a PSA about service animals.

1. Michigan and Cass for route 261, DDOT was coming north on Cass - it was driving with the message “Police Emergency - Call Police” why would it say that?

Answer: It displays when a driver pushes a button in the event of an emergency - it was an accident in this case.

1. Did canvassing for DDOT yesterday - is wondering about laminating the fliers to put in the library. Are you putting the signs up in the libraries and senior buildings? Appreciates everything they do.

1. TRU member (Transportation Riders United) - Condition of Hargrove Transit Center is getting into a state of disrepair, similar to what’s happened at Rosa Parks transit. More funding needed to maintain facility. Nice to see work being done cleaning the bus shelters, though.

Answer: they are aware of the Hargrove center conditions, trying to get it back to where it was before

1. Another concerned citizen about the Hargrove center needing a lot of work and cleaning. There is a bus shelter that needs attention, on the corner on Linwood and W Grand Blvd - in front of the gas station, 6571 Linwood. There’s a risk of being hit by traffic. This is for the Dexter Route.

1. cont - she has sent pictures to them, City Council.

Some back and forth with this caller because she feels disrespected by the committee, but they aren’t being very firm about time limits, so she thinks she is being cut off when she’s gone well over the time.

1. Would like more support from all transit providers for bus lanes. He doesn’t get the impression that they want bus lanes, and he wants them to take that initiative so that he can support them.

1. Has been riding the bus for about 2 years, 760 has been reducing its pickup times, now up to 2 hours. Has to wait at Rosa Parks a lot longer. There needs to be a sign that the center is closed from 12am-4am.

Response: 760 is a SMART Bus not DDOT, this is a DDOT meeting.

Her main issue is the Rosa Parks Center being closed from 12pm-4am for a month, and the buses running so late at night.
Correction: She meant Jason Hargrove center, which is near Meijer.

DDOT is investigating, someone from DDOT gave her his work cell for reference.

Torrence does a time check, it is almost six, if you haven’t had a chance to be heard make sure to raise your hand or add your question to the chat.

DDOT representative thanks everyone for the feedback after it is noted that no one else has their hand raised. The meeting is sort of abruptly over.

Here is most of what was in the chat, besides some formalities at the beginning.

Meeting adjourned at 5:59pm. This concludes the DDOT Virtual Community Input Meeting. For more meeting coverage, check out https://documenters.org.