Detroit Department of Transportation

Detroit Department of Transportation
Company type	Government agency
Industry	Public transportation
Predecessor	Department of Street Railways
Founded	1922
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Area served	Detroit and adjacent neighborhoods
Key people	G. Michael Staley (interim director)
Products	Bus transit services
Owner	Government of Detroit
Parent	Government of Detroit

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) serves as the main provider of public transportation within Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1922, DDOT operates as a branch of the Government of Detroit, with its director appointed by the city's mayor. Its primary service area includes Detroit and adjacent neighborhoods, while suburban transit needs are addressed by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). In , DDOT reported an annual ridership totaling , with an average weekday ridership of as of .

Department of Street Railways

The origins of DDOT trace back to 1922 when it was established as the Department of Street Railways (DSR) following the municipal takeover of the privately held Detroit United Railway (DUR), which had controlled Detroit’s transit system since 1901. The DSR expanded its offerings by introducing bus service through its Motorbus Division in 1925. At its height in 1941, the department managed 20 streetcar routes operating 910 streetcars. By 1952, only four streetcar lines remained active: Woodward, Gratiot, Michigan, and Jefferson. The final streetcar service ended in April 1956 with the closure of the Woodward line. In 1974, under the Detroit City Charter, DSR was renamed DDOT.

2000s-2020s

From 2009 to 2012, DDOT phased out its last seven limited and express bus routes (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, and 78).

Effective January 1, 2012, DDOT’s management was outsourced to Parsons Brinckerhoff, which subcontracted operational duties to Envisurage, LLC, led by a former CEO from the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority. On March 3, 2012, the agency eliminated its around-the-clock service and made several reductions or eliminations to weekday and weekend routes as part of cost-cutting measures.

In August 2013, control transitioned to MV Transportation under Paul Toliver until September 2014. On January 9, 2014, during MV Transportation’s tenure, Dan Dirks was appointed director by mayor Mike Duggan. MV Transportation’s contract was extended for an additional two years in August 2014.

On January 23, 2016, DDOT brought back 24-hour service on three major routes along with other service modifications.

On September 1, 2018, DDOT introduced "ConnectTen," a branding initiative highlighting its ten highest-ridership routes numbered 1 through 10. These routes featured enhanced frequency and continuous service. To prevent numbering conflicts, existing routes numbered 7, 9, and 10 were renumbered.

2020s

In November 2021, Detroit City Council approved a plan to establish a new State Fair Transit Center within the vacant Dairy Cattle Building—one of the few remaining structures from the State Fairgrounds. The Council declined an earlier proposal that would have demolished this historic building. The original State Fair Transit Center, which dated back to the streetcar era, permanently ceased operations on November 6, 2022 and was subsequently demolished. A temporary transit center opened the following day in the former State Fair parking lot approximately 500 feet north. Construction on the new permanent facility began in May 2023.

This new State Fair Transit Center honors DDOT bus driver Jason Hargrove, who championed improved safety measures during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and passed away from the virus in April 2020. Named the Jason Hargrove Transit Center, it officially commenced operations on May 11, 2024.

Comprehensive "Reimagined" Network Revamp

During the summer of 2022, DDOT initiated DDOT Reimagined, an ambitious initiative aimed at overhauling its route system and enhancing infrastructure to boost dependability, expand coverage, increase operational efficiency, and minimize environmental footprint. The initial stage featured broad community engagement through public meetings, interactive workshops, and pop-up events at prominent bus stops.

By spring 2023, DDOT unveiled a preliminary redesign proposal suggesting that all routes maintain a minimum frequency of every 30 minutes, with high-demand lines running as frequently as every 15 minutes. Six specific routes (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10) were earmarked for service intervals of ten minutes—route 4 targeting a more frequent 7½-minute headway—and upgrades comparable to bus rapid transit standards. These six routes, along with an additional four, would provide continuous 24/7 operations; the remaining routes would operate daily from 4 a.m. until 1 a.m.

To facilitate these changes, three underutilized routes (12, 40, and 46) were proposed for elimination, while four other routes (23 & 39 and 29 & 42) were planned to be merged into two consolidated lines. Numerous routes were subject to rerouting or extensions; notably, route 17 was proposed to extend service into Livonia, Michigan, which is not part of the suburban SMART network. A new route (70) was designed to serve the area near the Detroit International Riverfront, linking Belle Isle with the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Despite some reduction in street-level coverage, DDOT anticipated that 99% of existing riders would remain within walking distance of a route under the redesigned network. Additional outreach efforts included a traveling exhibit visiting major transit hubs to collect rider input.

In August 2023, DDOT Director C. Mikel Oglesby stepped down; subsequently, G. Michael Staley—formerly paratransit manager and regional vice president at Veolia Transport (now Transdev)—was appointed interim director by Mayor Mike Duggan.

The finalized Reimagined plan was released in February 2024, preserving most draft proposals but integrating community feedback: route 2 was incorporated into the ten-minute frequency group; route 12 was retained rather than discontinued; and the planned extension of route 17 into Livonia was withdrawn. Further public consultation is scheduled throughout spring 2024 to assist in refining rollout details.

Fixed-route bus operations

The primary transit service offered by DDOT consists of fixed-route bus lines predominantly serving Detroit along with its enclaves Hamtramck and Highland Park. Several routes extend into adjacent suburbs such as Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Harper Woods, Livonia, Redford, River Rouge, Southfield, and the Grosse Pointe area. Service along 8 Mile Road reaches into southern portions of Eastpointe, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, Warren, and Eastpointe.

Typical operating hours span from approximately 5 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday; Sunday service begins around 7 a.m., concluding between 8 and 9 p.m. Routes numbered 3 through 8, as well as routes 10, 16, and 17 provide round-the-clock service.

Active routes

All route endpoints are located within Detroit unless otherwise specified.

= ConnectTen designation

= Peak hour frequency every 30 minutes

= Peak hour frequency every hour

#	Route Name	Starting Point	Ending Point	Distance	Weekday Frequency (min)	Saturday Frequency (min)	Sunday Frequency (min)
1	Vernor	Rosa Parks Transit Center	Michigan Avenue & Schaefer Road, Dearborn	9.2 mi (14.8 km)	30	30	45
2	Michigan	Rosa Parks Transit Center	Fairlane Town Center, Dearborn	10.5 mi (16.9 km)	20-30	60	60
3	Grand River	Jefferson Avenue & Beaubien Street	Grand River Avenue & Seven Mile Road	15 mi (24 km)	10	15	15
4	Woodward	Rosa Parks Transit Center	Jason Hargrove Transit Center	10 mi (16 km)	12	20	20
5	Van Dyke/Lafayette	Rosa Parks Transit Center	Bel Air Center	15 mi (24 km)	20-30	30	45
6	Gratiot	'3rd Street & Michigan Avenue'	'Gratiot Avenue & Eight Mile Road'	11.9 mi (19.2 km)	15	20	30

Paratransit

Beyond its fixed-route bus operations, DDOT provides MetroLift, a demand-responsive paratransit service managed by four private vendors: Moe Transportation, Big Star Transit, Checker Cab Company, and Delray United Action Council.

Detroit Downtown Trolley

Initiated in 1976 as part of the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, the Detroit Downtown Trolley operated along a one-mile L-shaped path connecting Grand Circus Park to the vicinity of the Renaissance Center, traveling via Washington Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue. This heritage trolley fleet primarily consisted of narrow-gauge streetcars sourced from Lisbon, Portugal. Although it held historical charm, the limited commercial activity downtown resulted in low ridership, which dwindled to approximately 3,000 passengers annually by the late 1990s. The service was discontinued in June 2003.

Fares

Since 2019, DDOT has collaborated with SMART and the QLine to implement a unified fare payment platform known as Dart. Riders can purchase passes digitally through the Token Transit app or obtain physical tickets at SMART ticket offices located in downtown Detroit and Royal Oak, the Rosa Parks Transit Center, SMART’s online store, and selected retail outlets. Additionally, cash payments for 4-hour and 24-hour passes are accepted directly on board buses.

Standard Fares

Category	Single Ride	24-Hour Pass
Regular	$2	$5
Student	$0.50	$2
Senior/Disabled^
Medicare Cardholder^^
Children under 44 inches (110 cm) accompanied by an adult (up to 3)	Free

^Discounts apply to seniors aged 65 and older or disabled individuals who present either a DDOT Special Fares ID or state-issued identification indicating visual impairment.

^^Medicare cardholders are eligible for fares matching those for children (ages 6–17), seniors (65+), and disabled riders.

Current fleet

DDOT fleet as of June 2023

Fleet Series

Year

Manufacturer

Model

Length

Seating Capacity

Propulsion

Engine

Transmission

Remarks

1201–1242

2012

Gillig

Low Floor

40 ft

39 seats

Diesel

Cummins ISL9

Allison B500R

1243–1246

2012

Hybrid

Allison H 40 EP hybrid system

1400–1430

2013

New Flyer

XD40

41 ft

40 seats

Diesel

Allison B400R

1500–1508

2014

1509–1518

2015

XDE40

Hybrid

Allison H 40 EP hybrid system

1519–1538

2015

XD40

Diesel

Allison B400R

1539–1548

2016

XD60

60.8 ft

60 seats

Diesel

Allison B500R

1700–1728

2017

XD40

41 ft

40 seats

Diesel

Cummins L9

Allison B400R

1800–1829

2018

1900–1924

2019

1960–1964

2019

XD60

60.8 ft

60 seats

Diesel

Allison B500R

2000–2025

2020

XD40

41 ft

40 seats

Diesel

Allison B400R

2100e–2103e

2021

Proterra

ZX5

40 ft

40 seats

Battery Electric

Proterra ProDrive

-

'2200–2237'

'2022'

'New Flyer'

'XD40'

'41 ft'

'40 seats'

'Diesel'

'Cummins L9'

'Allison B400R'

-

'2300–2309'

'2023'

-

'2500-2544'

'2025'

'XDE40'

'Hybrid'

'Allison eGen Flex H 40 hybrid system'

}

Retired fleet

1995|||Nova Bus]||| RTS06]|||40 ft|||43 seats|||Diesel|||DetroitDieselSeries50 |||3200–3232|||33|||2008 1996|||GoshenCoach]|||MB19FD|||30 ft|||19 seats|||Diesel||| CumminsB5.9 |||3300–3328|||29|||2001 1996|||Nova Bus]||| RTS06]|||40 ft|||43 seats|||Diesel|||DetroitDieselSeries50 |||3500–3599|||100|||2012 1997|||Nova Bus]||| RTS06]|||40 ft|||43 seats|||Diesel|||DetroitDieselSeries50 |||3250–3282|||33|||2012 1996–97|||Nova Bus]||| RTS06]|||40 ft|||43 seats|||Diesel|||DetroitDieselSeries50 |||3600–3617|||18|||2012 1997 | Nova Bus] | RTS06] |40 ft |39 seats |Diesel |DetroitDieselSeries50 | '3290–3299 |10 |2010 1998 | Chance Bus Corp | CNG-28 |28 ft |27 seats |CNG | Cummins B5.9G | '4000–4013 |14 |2004 2000 | Chance Bus Corp | CNG-28 |28 ft |27 seats |CNG |Cummins B5.9G | '4014–4024 |11 |2004 2001 | Nova Bus | RTS06 |40 ft |43 seats |Diesel | DetroitDieselSeries50EGR | '3700–3799 |100 |2015 2002 | Nova Bus | RTS06 |40 ft |43 seats |Diesel | DetroitDieselSeries50EGR | '3800–3859 |60 |2015 2003 | New Flyer | D40LF |40 ft |39 seats |Diesel | DetroitDieselSeries50EGR | '3900–3959 60 2019 2004 New Flyer D40LF 40 ft 39 seats Diesel DetroitDieselSeries50EGR 3975–3989 15 2016–17 2005 New Flyer D40LF 40 ft 39 seats Diesel CumminsISL 4100–4220 121 2020 2010 New Flyer D40LF 40 ft 39 seats Diesel CumminsISL9 1001–1050 50 2022–23

Year	Manufacturer	Model	Length	Seating Capacity	Fuel Type	Engine	Series Number	Units	Retirement Year
1975	GM Coach	New Look	40 ft	36 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-71	3001	1	1986
1975	GM Coach	New Look	30 ft	33 seats	Diesel	GMC D-478 Toro-Flow II	3002-3006	5	1986
1975	GM Coach	New Look	40 ft	48 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-71	1001–1148	148	1996
1975	AM General Corp.	Metropolitan Series	40 ft	49 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-71	1201–1251	51	1986
1978	GM Coach	RTS-II	40 ft	47 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-71N	1300–1369	70	1993
1978	GM Coach	RTS-II	40 ft	43 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-71N	1370L-1410L	41	1997
1979	GM Coach	RTS-II	40 ft	46 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-71N	1501L-1605L	105	1999
1979	GM Coach	RTS-II	35 ft	36 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-71N	1701L-1717L	17	1997
1980	GM Coach	RTS-II	40 ft	41–46 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-71N	1801L-1874L	74	1999
1981	Bus Industries of America Inc.	Orion II	21.9 ft	26 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel Allison "Fuel Pincher"	001-002	2	1997
1985	GM Coach	New Look	40 ft	48 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-71	2521-2534	14	1986
1987	GM of Canada	GMC Classic	40 ft	47–49 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-71N	1900–1999	100	2002
1989	Motor Coach Industries	MCI Classic	40 ft	51 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 8V-92TA	2000–2084	85	2003
1989	Neoplan USA	AN460	60 ft	65 seats	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA	8900-8913	14	2002
1992	New Flyer	D40HF]	40 ft	45 seats	Diesel	DetroitDiesel8V-92	3000–3120	121	2005

Labor relations

The bus drivers employed by DDOT are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, while the maintenance technicians are affiliated with AFSCME Local 312.

External links

Transportation Riders United

Department of Street Railways

2000s-2020s

2020s

Comprehensive "Reimagined" Network Revamp

Fixed-route bus operations

Active routes

Paratransit

Detroit Downtown Trolley

Fares

Standard Fares

Current fleet

Retired fleet

Labor relations

See also

External links