Monday, January 28, 2008
Meeting Summary
Top regional transit leaders shared their thoughts on progress achieved in 2007 in improving Detroit transit and discussed their plans for continued advancement in 2008 to an overflow crowd at TRU’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2008. Audience members were also encouraged to get involved in TRU efforts and to talk to their elected officials about the importance of transit.
State Representative Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak) was the first speaker. She is the Chair of the Michigan House Subcommittee on Public Transit, which has been accepting testimony from transit providers, riders, advocates and other experts for the past year. She is now developing a report summarizing that testimony and drafting legislation to improve public transit throughout Michigan.
The next speaker was John Hertel, CEO of the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council. He discussed his role in developing an official regional transit plan that will be approved by Detroit and county leaders.
Hayes Jones, the new General Manager of SMART, also spoke about his vision for moving SMART beyond its past limited role and truly providing a high quality regional transit service for everyone. He was very open to questions and suggestions and expressed enthusiasm about working with TRU in improving SMART.
The final panelist was Saundra Nelson, Director of Special Projects for Wayne County’s 
Department of Public Services and all around transit coordinator for Wayne County. She explained the slow but important steps SEMCOG is taking on the Detroit-Airport-Ann Arbor commuter train project and other key transit efforts.
The panelists accepted questions from the audience on topics ranging from current and future airport transit service, to SEMCOG’s dedication to funding transit and the likelihood of city and suburban leaders agreeing on a transit plan.
The final portion of the program was dedicated to opportunities for individuals to get involved in advancing these important projects. DDOT’s Tim Roseboom explained the status of the Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study and their plans to have public meetings to get input on Detroit’s first rapid transit line this spring. TRU leaders explained their projects and opportunities including:
- the Speakers Bureau, making transit presentations to community groups,
- WSU outreach and education efforts,
- Planning TRU’s big spring fundraising and outreach event, and
- Our Riders Voice committee, dedicated to improving area bus service.
Anyone interested in getting involved in these or other TRU efforts are encourage to visit the Get Involved section and the Upcoming Meetings page of our website or to contact TRU Director Megan Owens.
At the meeting two new members were elected to TRU’s Board of Directors. Karen Kendrick-Hands was one of TRU’s founders and is rejoining the Board after a one-year hiatus. Brandon White is joining the Board for the first time, building upon his leadership and revitalization of TRU’s Speakers Bureau. Please congratulate these two leaders for their work and commitment to improving Detroit transit.
Full Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 28 at the Boll Family YMCA’s Marlene Boll Theater
Welcome
Patty Fedewa began the meeting at 6:40 PM.
Board Election
Larry Birchfield made a motion to elect Karen Kendrick Hands and Brandon White to the TRU Board (as recommended by Board). Seconded by Chris Frey. Motion carried unanimously.
Program – Panel Discussion
Megan Owens welcomed the group in attendance at the meeting. The idea of the meeting was to check in on ongoing efforts to promote transit in the metropolitan Detroit area and discuss plans for 2008.
Speakers:
- Rep. Marie Donigan
- John Hertel
- Hayes Jones
- Saundra Nelson
Rep. Marie Donigan, Chair, Michigan House Public Transit Subcommittee:
Represents Royal Oak and Madison Heights in the State Legislature.
Introduced to public transportation in Penn – lived in Philadelphia for years without a car. Spent time during her tenure on the Royal Oak City Commission talking constantly about parking. Noted that it wasn’t a great economic development plan in that parking does not pay taxes. Looked for ways to get people into Royal Oak without parking.
Cited DARTA and other previous studies and efforts to get better public transit in this state. Since in the Legislature, she has held numerous Town Hall meetings to discuss the efforts necessary to bring public transit to the area. Through these meetings, she found that it is something that the people clearly want.
She cited that Public Transit is a state wide issue. There is public transit in every county and ridership is going up across the board, serving a great public need. Needs are across the board from rural areas to urban areas. Public transit is also an economic development tool. We are in a position to learn from other areas given our slow pace. Indicated that we stand to be left behind if we don’t do something.
She has conveyed this to her partners in the House. Worked with Tobocman and Condino to develop a legislative setting to discuss the importance of Public Transit. The hope was if we discuss this effort in Lansing, it may be better received. Public Transit Subcommittee of the Michigan House Committee on Transportation was created. She chairs it. Reps Young (D-Detroit), Leeland (D-Detroit), Knollenberg (R-Troy), Pierce (R-Grand Rapids) are also on the committee.
They have had 12 hearings. Every week, new revelations from different parts of the state surfaced. Mission statement hits on economic development and jobs. Out of the hearings, a real picture of Public Transit has surfaced.
Will be issuing a report regarding what they have found. Stated that if we don’t get on this, we will fall behind further than we already are. We formed a partnership with Grand Rapids which is currently working to develop a transit system.
Myths still abound (car companies don’t want it, etc)
Meeting with Democratic Caucus next week to discuss the merits of Transit (alternative fuels, economic development).
Additional work in the Legislature in the coming year, hopefully real changes to make it a reality.
John Hertel – CEO of Regional Transit Coordinating Council:
Timing is everything. In 2006, he was asked to take this job by the big 4 but he thought the task was impossible. The Super Bowl and skyrocketing fuel prices showed that it was possible. Asked again in 2007, and accepted.
Believes that this is necessary. There is a long tradition of those involved. Pleased tonight to talk about progress.
Hired by
- Robert Ficano, Executive of Wayne County;
- Nancy White, Chair of Macomb County Commission;
- Brooks Patterson, Executive of Oakland County; and
- Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of Detroit (aka the Big 4).
Job – develop an official regional transit plan.
In order for RTCC projects to progress, all 4 must agree on the project. John worked to create a plan that can be agreed upon. First step was to create a federal vision document – spring training for the final plan. Had to determine the variety of modes, routes and funding that will eventually be available to use to develop a real plan. All routes, modes and funding had to be justified. A history of mass transit also had to be provided within this vision document.
To move forward to do the federal plan, the vision document had to be presented and approved by the big 4. All 4 approved the vision document!
Various groups have helped. TRU has been very helpful in getting the vision statement developed.
A million dollars in planning money was then attained in developing the actual plan. The plan has to be done in one year by a reputable national firm. The plan must meet Federal Requirements and should consider needs of MDOT. Planning contract put out to bid and was analyzed to make sure the bids were sound. Sealed bids were opened, taken to RTCC. Big 4 had to approve consultants.
Company was TransSystems (located in Chicago and St. Louis and Lansing). They began working with them over the last few weeks.
Specific plan for a true system should be in front of RTCC next Christmas for hopefully another unanimous vote.
Hayes Jones, SMART General Manager:
Last job was spending 9 session days in State Legislature.
Called in April regarding SMART vacancy.
Knew John Hertel from when he was a teacher and John was the student. Track and Basketball coach at Denby High. Was training for the 1964 Olympics.
Discuss the challenge of explaining to his grandkids what he does. Said he drives a bus.
Lots of great opportunities at SMART. Many challenges. One challenges is not enough money. He feels that help may be on the way.
After driving around the 3 counties, reading letters and mail, he finds that there is a real need to public transit. We need to strike the iron while it is hot today. If we don’t do something today we can just forget about it.
There is truly a need for public transportation. The leaders feel this and he sees it.
Pledged to the employees of SMART that the one thing he will not do is to continue to cut service. People now want choices and opportunities. Ridership is the highest in the history of SMART. It is incumbent to educate consumers what public transit is about and how it can be an economic engine in the area. People are saying that we need another way to get around the region. This is an opportunity for SMART. This is a golden opportunity to keep the current riders. Looking at ways to appeal to the lifestyle.
Upcoming improvements:
- There is a new online service coming that will map our routes.
- Security cameras within the busses.
- Online texting, web applications.
- Looking at creative ways to make the service more convenient and to market the service.
- Pleased to work with MDOT and DDOT in a joint effort to start the first HOV lane in the state on Michigan Avenue. MDOT is moving some of the dollars to DDOT and SMART to take the downriver people into the city.
Sandra Nelson- Wayne County, Director of Special Projects
Working on Ann Arbor – Airport – Detroit, initiative of Wayne County Exec. Ficano
Lived in Atlanta and Houston before coming here. Worked for Enron for 8 years in the past (pre-collapse). Worked on Transportation issues. Was involved with the expansion of the MARTA transit system in Atlanta. The expansion is finally starting in Atlanta after 30 years.
Came to Detroit in 2003. Looked around for the Mass Transit system when she came here, and nothing was there. There have been challenges with consensus. Very happy to tell you that there is real consensus and momentum to develop real and comprehensive mass transit in the region.
Detroit to Airport to Ann Arbor System – Current status of plan:
Alternative analysis indicated that the current project did not have the ridership to get federal funding. Worked with MDOT, SEMCOG to develop a demonstration project. A year ago, they got started with Amtrak to build on the Wolverine line. Commuter rail is the ideal plan.
First hurdle was to overcome the railroads’ opposition – didn’t want to allow you to add trains to these tracks. They met with Norfolk Southern who demanded investment to develop a study and work plan to address concerns. An infrastructure capacity study is undergoing. Reviewing currently R/W and looking at current trains and what would be needed to increase capacity to adequately run the commuter rail at an appropriate level of service. This should be completed by the end of march or early april. This will give us a cost to expand the rail to meet the needs of the process.
Amtrak is completing a farebox study to analyze the ridership and operating cost that will develop a deficit amount that has to be funded by local, state and federal pools.
Environmental Impact Assessment has to be completed to get the project up and moving without red tape from the government. The concern is that we probably won’t have to do a full blown study, just a portion.
We are currently looking at the stop locations. The main area of concern is the airport terminal. There are 5 stops:
- Detroit (New Center)
- Dearborn
- Airport
- Ypsilanti
- Ann Arbor
Hard costs available by the end of the second quarter.
Noted that things are coming together, regional consensus, gas prices and economy.
Question and Answer
– What are you doing to change SEMCOG’s stance on Transit?
Hayes Jones: SEMCOG represents all of SE Michigan. Executive board is made up of all communities of SE Michigan. SEMCOG cannot make the decision itself, it is made by the elected officials. It is incumbent for the residents to communicate pro transit views to their electeds.
Detroit Councilwoman JoAnn Watson interrupted the question and refuted Mr. Jones’ statement.
Donnigan: Statewide issue. Planning authorities prioritize the funds and projects. Funding formula in this state does not work for the current needs. This needs to be modified before we make progress.
– Airport transit connections
Merriman Rd connection is being considered for AA-Detroit train. SMART has a bus line that runs this way. Specific shuttle is being considered. Lester Robinson (WCAA) looking at expanding the tram system to connect the terminals and run a line up to the Merrimen.
SMART is considering luggage concerns on current buses. Specific busses for specific runs can be difficult. Timeliness is being considered.
– Detroit to Ann Arbor: Timeliness issues of the AMTRAK trains.
Important element in making transit a reliable option is reliability. Wolverine is not as reliable as it should be.
Capacity study should address a lot of these issues within the corridor to establish a high quality level.
– SMART has been seen as a last resort social service. What is being done to promote easier, more efficient service?
Jones: we have exhausted our efforts to address the captive riders. We see a greater opportunity among choice riders. We are developing a strategic plan to address these riders but to also respect our bread and butter.
Attaining choice riders will assist in growth. Major changes are foreseen as part of the strategic plan.
– Are there any plans for focus groups for SMART?
Jones: Strategic plan will involve all of the stakeholders. We want to know how our users feel about SMART.
John Hertel: Will not try to merge DDOT and SMART. Unified Structure plan with one set of administrator and one set of employees. Recommendation is that there will be no opt-outs allowed.
Everything that has been said, improvements, marketing efforts all require money. Let’s be real. Around the country in the 29 other major metro areas with true regional transit system, in these areas, they have paid to create the kind of systems that we MUST have in this region. Dozens of great reasons to have a system, one negative, the money. We don’t have a local match at this point in time. As a region, we will have to do what Denver has done for instance, create a regional sales tax. This qualifies them for millions of dollars because of local matches.
For every dollar invested, 8.5 dollars are invested privately.
– Grand Rapids is leading the way currently.
Grand Rapids has approval of BRT in their region because they have developed a system ($30M).
– Harmony between the big 4: What is the likelihood of consensus?
Hertel: 133 subdivisions of municipalities. Proof is in the pudding that the three major votes have been all unanimously yes. They have been working hard to reach consensus. We have to make specific decisions about modes routes and funding. They recognize benefits.
– What can the voting public do to address these efforts?
Jones: Hard for lead of SMART to go out and lobby for the needs of SMART. Has to be behind his board and cannot lobby elected. His vision is that every citizen has the opportunity to mode of choice. We have a number of communities with opt out in WayCo and OakCo. Macomb is the only county with a county wide millege to SMART. If you live in WayCo or OakCo, talk to your counterparts and let your electeds know.
True regional transit requires all communities to opt in. His vision is that all communities participate.
Hertel: Efficacy – Millege in Macomb initially passed 51 to 49. Next time, 60, last 70%. We are willing to tax ourselves because this is worthwhile.
Donigan – “We are all one big team.” People will pay more money for better transit, probably not roads.
Working on legislation to create an authority to execute Hertel’s plan.
Activities and Opportunities
Tim Roseboom
Presented on DTOGS study. DDOT was asked about 16 months ago to pursue an alternative analysis for new starts funding. A year ago, we looked at modes, routes locations. LRT and BRT reviewed. Narrowed options to three. Will propose first route in next few months.
Will have public meetings to discuss first Detroit rapid transit route.
TRU leaders
Opportunities for involvement include:
- Speakers Bureau (Brandon leading)
- Riders Voice Committee
- Help promote transit at Wayne State (Jen)
- Help plan next big fundraising event (Larry)
- Help brainstorm media, messaging outreach
Check TRU website for meeting details. Everyone is encouraged to get involved.
Meeting adjourned