Want to watch/listen live or give comments in this meeting? Join by phone or online: https://rtamichigan.org/public-events-calendar/

For technical assistance and disability accomodations, contact RTA at +1 (313) 402-1020.

Before 01:00 PM, you can also send comments to be read in the meeting to info@rtamichigan.org. https://t.co/mdIbi3wvXT

📎 Follow along with today’s agenda! I may refer to numbered items throughout: https://rtamichigan.org/2022-meetings/ https://t.co/TpOEOk5IlX

@RTAmichigan (RTA) oversees and proposes improvements to public transit in the Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties. They work with @RideDDOT, @smartbusorg, @detpeoplemover, @qlinedetroit (aka M1 Rail), D2A2, and @CatchTheRide.…

…The Board of Directors are appointed by Detroit’s mayor, county executives, and the governor. They meet monthly to vote how to run RTA and take public comment.

Learn more: https://detroit.documenters.org/agencies/regional-transit-authority-of-southeast-michigan-1/

Your Board of Directors, and who they represent:

• @fremanhendrix, @CityofDetroit
• @ericatrobertson, @waynecountymi
• June Lee, @waynecountymi
• @PaulHillegonds, @GovWhitmer
• Donald Morandini, @MacombNewsNow
• Jon Moore, @MacombNewsNow
…

…
• Brian Richard, @OakGov
• Helaine Zack, @OakGov
• @Alma4MI, @WashtenawCounty
• @NedStaebler, @WashtenawCounty

Learn about them: https://rtamichigan.org/about/board-of-directors/

Need to catch up? See our past reporting on the RTA: https://detroit.documenters.org/meetings/?agency=1&alt=true

Notes and more for today’s meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-directors-3738/

In recent transit news, @RideDDOT, @smartbusorg, @qlinedetroit, and @CatchTheRide no longer require riders to wear masks. This is after a federal mandate was overturned on Monday. The four agencies still recommend masks. @nickrmanes for @crainsdetroit: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/detroit-metro-airport-ddot-smart-qline-drop-mask-requirements…

…In February @AuburnHillsMI’s city council opted-out of @smartbusorg. Their SMART service will likely end in 2023. Instead AH voters will be asked to fund weekday-only transportation for seniors, people with disabilities. @ninaignaczak for @PlanetDetroit: https://planetdetroit.org/2022/02/auburn-hills-votes-to-opt-out-of-smart-bus-service/

At the last Board of Directors meeting, the board discussed governor Whitmer’s proposed $134 million increase in transit and rail funding. That’s according to @DetroitTransit: https://twitter.com/DetroitTransit/status/1504539527725162501…

…And according to last meeting’s summary, the board approved RTA’s five-year business plan, with revisions. The plan calls to increase staff and implement their transit master plan. The latter was approved in 2021. Mike Koury for @candgnews: https://www.candgnews.com/news/rta-finalizing-master-plan-on-areas-transit-needs-121526

For today’s meeting, the board will get “state of the system” presentations from the transit providers that RTA oversees.

RTA’s program manager will also give their usual report to the board. Some highlights:
• $24 million left in ARPA funds, RTA’s working with providers to find a use
• Michigan Avenue transit lane (Downtown Detroit through Corktown) in pre-planning stages
…

…
• D2A2: 45 percent more riders in March, monthly average of 1,500 riders
• MyRide2, which connects seniors and people with disabilities to transit, had over 4,600 callers in 2021, its highest yet https://t.co/1vSK8toqDr

That’s all my pre-game notes. See y’all at 02:00 PM!

Find something inaccurate? Email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request”. I’ll add corrections at the end of this thread.

Need image transcriptions? Reply and I’ll transcribe images for you.

The online meeting is now live! This camera quality is a huge bummer, so hopefully the board members identify themselves when speaking. https://t.co/RjPSp6WYQl

Picture quality ebbs and flows. Now I can read what’s on the table covering – they’re meeting at @WCCCDistrict’s Downtown campus. https://t.co/Clg85e7gcd

@WCCCDistrict ⌚️ At 02:07 PM, the board starts the meeting (I think). The audio is honestly dreadful, sounds like we’re hearing from a laptop speaker.

Boardmembers are introducing themselves. https://t.co/nCR2mYeeIO

@WCCCDistrict The board approves today’s agenda. They also approve the summary for their meeting in March.

@WCCCDistrict 📣 At 02:11 PM, the board proceeds to public comment.

@WCCCDistrict Robert, Southgate resident, in-person commenter: Responds to opposition to transit funding in Macomb, laments long commute to work. “I don’t think anyone wants to pay $70 for a Lyft or Uber.…”

@WCCCDistrict …“I really want the RTA to campaign in 2024 for the RTA millage.” Says transit is essential to economic development.

@WCCCDistrict Renard Monczunski, Detroit People’s Platform Transit Justice Team: Highlights RTA’s ARPA funds. Acknowledges Auburn Hills’s opt-out of SMART. “If you don’t have buses in your community, how do you expect us to work your jobs, work in your malls?”…

@WCCCDistrict …“It’s already hard enough for folks in my city to get to jobs.” Says AH must remove the “racism in their hearts” and that they’re the “biggest losers” in this opt-out. “Whatever the RTA does, let’s do it with a unified voice.”

@WCCCDistrict 🧍 The board proceeds to standing committee reports.

Neither the Finance and Budget Committee nor the Executive and Policy Committee met. That leaves the Planning and Service Coordination Committee.

@WCCCDistrict Hoo boy this audio is bad. Something about their transitioning to having board committee business be conducted in the board itself. They passed a vote… I think for the Planning and Service Coordination’s last meeting summary?

@WCCCDistrict 👉 The board proceeds to vote upon financial reports from February and March 2022.

A boardmember (or staffer?) gives some highlights. Something about an item in February, an invoice, and March’s income statement. Again, difficult to hear. https://t.co/jQcny0yV1r

@WCCCDistrict A boardmember moves to approve the financial reports, seconded. Vote passes.

@WCCCDistrict 👉 The board proceeds to vote upon funding swap between the QLine (M1 Rail) and SMART. https://t.co/uhjFSSUNkq

@WCCCDistrict The board needs to finalize transferring a $1.48 million ARPA/pandemic relief grant to @qlinedetroit. They hit a snag – @FTA_DOT recently barred private agencies like QLine from ARPA funds. Instead, @smartbusorg will do a “funding swap” with QLine, per board approval.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Staebler thanks SMART for helping QLine. He moves to approve, seconded. The swap is approved without opposition.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg 👉 The board proceeds to vote upon the 2022 schedule for board and advisory committee meetings. They’re restructuring things – they’ll replace board committee meetings by conducting that business within the board itself. https://t.co/KK9CN79fSz

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Boardmembers approve the 2022 meeting schedule without opposition.

A boardmember says they need to be flexible with locations due to pandemic restrictions.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg They also say that the WCCCD Downtown campus is a good location for them.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg 📊 The board proceeds to presentations from transit agencies.

AAATA is up first.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Matt Carpenter, CEO of AAATA (also known as TheRide), presents. According to this chart, their ridership since the start of the pandemic is trending upward roughly in-line with the industry average.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Carpenter blames recent service level dips to staffing issues. Says union is onboard with restoring service levels.

D2A2 ridership is growing. Thanks RTA.

Highlights their smartphone payment pilot. https://t.co/mxZvbEkN3y

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg There’s “strong” support for expanding AAATA’s service.

Transit center reconstructions and expansions in the works. A boardmember has a question about Ypsilanti…

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg …Carpenter says AAATA originally only served Ann Arbor, but expanded as “the economies of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti have come closer and closer together.”

Millage upcoming in 2022. AAATA plans to expand overnight services. https://t.co/siuwRhjQ3O

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Carpenter mentions the economic “segregation” between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, separated by US-23.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg Someone mentions the limited service area in Ypsilanti, and limited transportation options for @EasternMichU students.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Carpenter says of their long-range plan, to be funded by the millage: “This is one of two proposals for bringing Ypsilanti service up.”

Boardmember: “I get the sense that Ann Arbor…” garbled. Something about taxes. Carpenter responds but the audio is still garbled.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU For what it’s worth, they’re recording this meeting. But I have no idea where they publish meetings – RTA’s YouTube channel is inactive.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Carpenter talks about how the RTA could help AAATA. Thanks them for support. Mentions they’d like to coordinate BRT planning with RTA!

That’s it for their presentation.

A boardmember says they have faith in their millage passing.… https://t.co/etm249XDmv

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU …Asks how they will anticipate voters who may hesitate at the increased millage.

Carpenter responds: “80,000 people come into [Ann Arbor to] work every day.” Mentions their many park-and-ride lots. Expresses desire to work with the RTA. Garbled audio…

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU …“This is not a small vision or operation.”

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Carpenter: “I think once we get the plan nailed down on our end” AAATA will first turn to RTA for support.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Boardmember: “Have you done any polling or where people might be at?” Carpenter says they’ve done studies and their results are “consistent” with the support they hear in public meetings.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU That boardmember said they asked because Oakland County is having their millage.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Another boardmember: Asks about their strategy for recruiting new hires. Carpenter says they already have an “impressive” strategy, taking advantage of radio ads and other advertisements. They’re also working with their union.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU This boardmember asks about park-and-rides. At this point, the audio becomes so bad that I can’t even hear full words.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Y’all, if it’s just my internet connection, let me know. But I’m tweeting just fine!

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Now a presentation from DDOT. Mikel Oglesby, Detroit’s transit executive director, presents some stats. Says their current issues are standard across the industry. They’re bringing more services in-house. https://t.co/UcXl6XJQWy

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Oglesby talks about their current projects, including their maintenance depot and the State Fair Transit Center.

They have four electric buses in their possession right now! Not in operation, they’ll have an event. https://t.co/kMdhcnZU59

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Mentions their new shelters and fleet replacement plan.

Explains their recent service changes, cuts. https://t.co/fxoYf2n0CB

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Oglesby says that their service issues are normal for the industry during this pandemic. Is happy about their recruitment effort. Talks about increasing community input, mentions that DDOT has their Virtual Community Input Meeting tonight!… https://t.co/aWR47VeSQF

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Explains how they take public input for their ARPA spending.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Boardmember asks if bus operators are part of decisionmaking processes. Oglesby says yes, including in scheduling and spending discussions.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Another boardmember asks if Oglesby could “wave a magic wand”, what projects he would like to fund. Mentions bus stop seating and involving public input. https://t.co/BCekNpUzvQ

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Another another boardmember asks something. Oglesby points to on-time performance as DDOT’s biggest challenge at the moment.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Someone asks about employee retention. Oglesby said they’re short 80 bus operators. Says the city is involved in recruitment, DDOT is speeding up the training period for new hires.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Someone else asks what metrics DDOT will use to measure electric bus performance. Oglesby says they’ll compare them to conventional buses, not measure by service-miles. Electric buses will start on “simpler” routes.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Another question on price differential between electric and conventional buses. Oglesby says $300,000-$400,000. “We want the upper echelon” of buses, bus features.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Question about operator training specific to electric buses. Oglesby says it won’t happen yet. They also don’t plan to lay off mechanics – “we need mechanics” for electric buses.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Someone named Ben asks about the operator shortage. Oglesby says they’re “begging” those with seniority to stay. “We’re looking at all options” to solve the shortage.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Now onto a presentation from the Detroit People Mover. Talking about their cleaning practices in stations, staffing shortages. Explains their reopening plan, starting with all but four stations. https://t.co/eac75FwvjH

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Acknowledges that DPM has an aging fleet, but facilities and the guideway are in good shape. Plans to replace surveillance cameras. https://t.co/0qqHqUFETp

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Says RTA can help with more grants, further collaboration. https://t.co/j6NFPTQInY

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Now onto a presentation from QLine, also known as M1 Rail. Last year, they moved operations in-house after service challenges, desire to control training and hiring. Says since reopening, they’re improving on headways.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Ridership is increasing alongside headway improvements. Says the dip in January was due to the cold weather. They’re at 60 percent of pre-pandemic levels, not just because of events. Refers to a Detroit Free Press photo showing a packed streetcar.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Talking about QLine’s indefinite free fare extension. Mentions other free streetcars around the country.

Says riders wanted real-time information – QLine “simplified our backend systems”, “reconfigured” their station monitors, and the Transit mobile app shows real-time info.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Talks about another issue – “due to the way our system was designed” – self-towing. They worked with state legislature to gain the ability to tow vehicles on their own. They sent a memo to the Detroit Police Department. They won’t collect towing fees. Set to start in May.…

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU …“This will be a big tool in our toolkit.”

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Recounts event coordination with NCAA Wrestling Championships in March, Detroit Tigers opening day few weeks ago. https://t.co/qDH3HF0PZ6

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU QLine now has a “business perks” programs to encourage riders to support local businesses.

Discusses their “first-ever transit lane in Detroit”, which can be used by both streetcars and buses.… https://t.co/J8fmdIddRU

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU …Says it sends a message to riders that transit can be faster. Looking to expand transit lanes and signal prioritization.

Their signal prioritization will extend green lights by a few seconds when streetcars approach. Installation starts next week.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Wants RTA support with transit lanes, signal priority, “tactical improvements” to clear snow and discourage parking on the tracks, growing service to increase reliability. https://t.co/qMgKc85RSD

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Question: How much do track blockages delay streetcars as of current?

It depends on availability of police towing vehicles. Again highlights their plans for tactical interventions, like bollards and signage.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Question: What can RTA do to make service faster?

Most of their solutions are already low-cost, within their means. They’re working with city departments.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Now onto SMART’s presentation… or maybe not. Boardmembers ask them to come back next month, so they have more time.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU 📊 The board proceeds to hear the program manager’s report. The written report: https://t.co/C0JCOEIIho

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU The program manager adds that, for hiring, they’re first “looking in the circles that we have” to find job candidates that are most familiar with the region.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Setting up their LinkedIn presence has taken some effort, time.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Tri-annual review coming up in a few months, per a “super fun” federal compliance audit.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU For the aforementioned Michigan Avenue transit lane plan, they say it’s going “really well” working with DDOT and getting the grant.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Question about D2A2, asking to compare ridership to pre-pandemic projections. They didn’t make any such projections. Program director says they roughly estimate that D2A2 would hit 500-1,000 riders in a day. …

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU …Question-asker insists that it would be great if they had that projection to better measure performance.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Question about the increased ridership: Program director points to returning University of Michigan students, Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter students, and NCAA Wrestling Championship attendees as potential causes.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Program director’s last item: $2 million CMAC grant, to be directed to transit hubs, stops, bikeability, walkability improvements.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU Boardmember says the next board meeting on May 19 will start at 01:00 PM – website will have to be updated.

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU ⏱ At 04:29 PM, the board adjourns the meeting!

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU That’s my live coverage of @RTAmichigan’s Board of Directors meeting. Thank you for following along!

Check out @DetDocumenters to find more about your local government and how to become a Documenter yourself: https://detroit.documenters.org/

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU @RTAmichigan @DetDocumenters The next RTA Board of Directors meeting is Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 01:00 PM (not 02:00 PM, as the boardmember said): https://rtamichigan.org/2022-meetings/

@WCCCDistrict @qlinedetroit @FTA_DOT @smartbusorg @EasternMichU @RTAmichigan @DetDocumenters Detroit Documenters will offer more notes and archived materials from this meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-directors-3738/