QLine

QLINE
Company type	Public transit
Industry	Transportation
Founded	May 12, 2017; 9 years ago
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Area served	Detroit metropolitan area
Products	Streetcar transit service
Owner	Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan
Website	rideqline.com

The QLINE is a streetcar network operating in Detroit, Michigan, which began service on May 12, 2017. It connects Downtown Detroit with Midtown Detroit and New Center, Detroit, running along the length of Woodward Avenue (M-1). Originally developed by the nonprofit organization M-1 Rail, the system is currently owned and managed by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan. The QLine provides transit access to major commercial districts and transportation centers.

In 2011, officials at the city and state levels altered their transit strategy from light rail to bus rapid transit for the metropolitan region. Following this change, M-1 Rail—a coalition of private and public regional partners—proposed a streetcar line utilizing a segment of the previously planned light rail corridor. This route links the downtown Detroit People Mover with the Amtrak station located in New Center and corresponds with the envisioned Ann Arbor–Detroit Regional Rail system. The naming rights were secured by Rocket Mortgage (formerly Quicken Loans), which branded the service as QLINE in March 2016.

1863–1956

Streetcar operations in Detroit commenced in 1863 using horsecars, which transitioned to electric power starting in 1886. These services were unified under the privately held Detroit United Railway until the city's Department of Street Railways assumed control in 1922. Detroit Mayor Hazen S. Pingree had long championed municipal ownership, during which time companies deferred maintenance expecting takeover, resulting in significant infrastructure expenses when the city purchased the system. The Department introduced bus services beginning in 1925, which gradually led to the discontinuation of the original streetcar network by 1956.

Downtown heritage trolley

A vintage streetcar line measuring 0.7mi and operating on gauge was inaugurated in 1976 along Washington Boulevard. It utilized seven historic tramcars from Lisbon alongside two vehicles sourced from England and Switzerland's Vevey–Montreux–Chillon–Villeneuve tramway, all dating back to the early twentieth century. Constructed at a cost near $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation), this line ran between Grand Circus Park and Philip A. Hart Plaza, adjacent to Cobo Center. In 1980, the route was extended by an additional 0.3mi along Jefferson Avenue. Service ceased operations in 2003. Ridership peaked around 800 passengers daily but declined below 200 following the 1987 introduction of the competing Detroit People Mover.

M-1 Rail Line

In 2006, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) initiated a study focused on enhancing mass transit along Woodward Avenue. Concurrently, area business leaders organized a private consortium aimed at matching public funding to develop a $125 million M-1 Rail Line traversing central Detroit, inspired by systems like the Tacoma Link. After negotiations, private investors partnered with DDOT to advance plans for a streetcar route.

The envisioned alignment stretched from the Rosa Parks Transit Center up to the former State Fairgrounds near 8 Mile Road, featuring 19 stations and deploying ten vehicles configured as two-car trains with seating for approximately 150 passengers each. Trains would operate within an exclusive median right-of-way between 8 Mile and Adams Street before transitioning into mixed traffic downtown.

Estimated costs reached $500 million, supported by a $35 million grant from the Kresge Foundation in 2009 and $25 million from the United States Department of Transportation in 2010. The Detroit City Council approved $125 million in bonds in April 2011. By August that year, following completion of an environmental impact assessment, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) gave its approval.

Nonetheless, federal funding priorities shifted in December 2011 toward implementing a bus rapid transit system serving Detroit and its suburbs after consultations involving Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Mayor Dave Bing, and Governor Rick Snyder. Private backers remained committed to advancing a smaller-scale M-1 Rail line extending to New Center through the nonprofit M-1 Rail Consortium. The abandoned plan had included seven extra stops north of Grand Boulevard—the current northern terminus of today's QLine.

Construction

On January 18, 2013, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a $25 million federal grant for the M-1 Rail streetcar initiative, contingent upon the establishment of a regional transit authority in Detroit.<ref> The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan was created by state legislation in late 2012, enabling LaHood's endorsement.<ref> Final federal environmental approval for the project was granted on April 22, 2013, with construction anticipated to commence that autumn.<ref>

The first phase of construction began with underground utility relocation on December 20, 2013; full-scale building efforts were planned to start by mid-2014.<ref> The construction contract was awarded to Stacy & Witbeck on July 31, 2013.<ref> On July 3, 2014, M-1 Rail revealed plans to demolish and rebuild Woodward Avenue overpasses at I-75 and I-94 to accommodate the streetcar infrastructure.<ref>

The Ilitch family, key investors through Olympia Development, confirmed on July 20, 2014, that a streetcar station would be included at the new Little Caesars Arena in Midtown.<ref> Official construction activities began on July 28, 2014.<ref> The route was designed to extend from downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center, featuring 20 stations serving 12 stops. Most stations were positioned curbside along Woodward Avenue, with center-lane stations located at both termini. Initial service was projected for late 2016.<ref>

Detroit entrepreneur Dan Gilbert supported a curb-running configuration aimed at enhancing property values rather than focusing on speed or reliability.<ref>

An additional $12.2 million federal grant was awarded on September 9, 2014, to finalize project funding.<ref> U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx delivered the keynote address at a rail signing event on September 15, 2014, attended by local officials and business leaders sponsoring station development.<ref> Approximately 60% of the streetcar route operates without overhead electrical wires, relying exclusively on lithium-ion battery power.<ref>

By February 15, 2015, construction had started on the $6.9 million Penske Tech Center in New Center, intended as the headquarters, operations hub, and maintenance facility; this building was completed in May 2016.<ref>

In August 2015, officials announced a postponement of the opening until mid-2017 due to compliance with new federal safety regulations, slower progress during winter months, and delays in rolling stock delivery.<ref> The line was officially branded as QLine in March 2016 after Quicken Loans acquired naming rights; however, the nonprofit organization M-1 Rail continued oversight.<ref>

The first streetcar arrived in September 2016,<ref> with initial testing conducted on December 13; early trials involved towing rather than powered operation.<ref> Transdev secured a five-year contract to manage operations.<ref>

Opening

The QLine commenced public service on May 12, 2017. It was initially free during the opening weekend, with the complimentary period extended multiple times through Labor Day 2017. During its first week of operation, ridership reached approximately 50,000 passengers, peaking at around 8,300 on weekends and averaging about 5,120 on weekdays. After fare collection began on September 5, 2017, daily ridership declined to roughly 3,000 riders per day; however, about 40% of passengers paid fares—surpassing the national average of 32.5% for comparable transit systems.

COVID-19 Service Suspension and Resumption

Due to a significant decline in ridership during the COVID-19 crisis, QLine halted operations on March 28, 2020. The service was reinstated in September 2021 with fare collection suspended, funded by contributions from Penske Corporation and The Kresge Foundation. In November 2021, QLine transitioned from its previous operator, Transdev, to self-management. Subsequently, in 2022, the Michigan Legislature authorized a $5 million annual subsidy for 17 years, ratified by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, guaranteeing complimentary rides until 2039.

Rolling Stock

According to Crain's Detroit Business, the total investment in the line reached $137 million, which encompassed six streetcar units. The procurement specifications mandated low-floor vehicles featuring air conditioning, wheelchair accessibility, and dual operator controls to eliminate the need for turning around.

On November 4, 2014, M-1 awarded a $30 million contract to the Czech firm Inekon for six streetcars. However, after this agreement collapsed, M-1 Rail engaged Brookville Equipment Corporation from Pennsylvania with a $32 million contract. This acquisition comprised six articulated streetcars with three sections each, outfitted with 750-volt rechargeable lithium-ion batteries enabling off-wire operation on segments lacking overhead wiring.

The initial Brookville vehicle arrived in September 2016, with the remaining two delivered by March 2017. To honor Detroit’s historic numbering sequence, these new streetcars were assigned numbers 287-292, continuing from the last car of the former system numbered 286.

Route

The QLine operates along Woodward Avenue, extending from downtown Detroit through Midtown and terminating at New Center. Beginning at Congress Street within the median strip, the tracks shift to curbside positioning for most of the route; however, certain downtown portions run along the center travel lane. At Amsterdam Street, the line reverts to the median and proceeds to its northern endpoint at Grand Boulevard. Non-revenue tracks stretch two blocks to the M-1 Rail Penske Tech Center, which serves as both QLine’s headquarters and maintenance facility. In September 2021, the southbound curb lane between Temple Street and West Fisher Service Drive was converted into a dedicated transit lane for QLine vehicles as well as DDOT and SMART buses to enhance service frequency.

Station List

Stop	Neighborhood(s)	Connections
Congress Street	Downtown, Financial District	Detroit People Mover; DDOT routes 3, 5, 6, 9, 40, 52, & 67; SMART routes 261 FAST Michigan, 461/462 FAST Woodward, 563 FAST Gratiot, plus routes 255, 530, 620, 635, 805, 830, & 851; Transit Windsor Tunnel Bus
Campus Martius	Downtown
Grand Circus	Downtown, Grand Circus Park	Detroit People Mover; SMART routes 261 FAST Michigan & 461/462 FAST Woodward
Montcalm Street	Downtown, Foxtown
Sproat Street / Adelaide Street	Midtown, Brush Park, Cass Park	SMART routes 461/462 FAST Woodward
Martin Luther King Boulevard / Mack Avenue	Midtown, Brush Park, Cass Corridor	DDOT routes 31 Mack & 42 Mid-City Loop; SMART routes 461/462 FAST Woodward
Canfield Street	Midtown, Medical Center
Warren Avenue	Midtown, Cultural Center, Wayne State University	DDOT route 8 Warren; SMART routes 461/462 FAST Woodward & 562 FAST Gratiot
Ferry Street	Midtown, Cultural Center, East Ferry
Amsterdam Street	New Center
Baltimore Street	New Center	Amtrak; SMART routes 461/462 FAST Woodward & 851
Grand Boulevard	New Center	SMART route 851

Headways and service frequency

The QLine runs a total of four streetcars at once, providing service intervals of 15 minutes or less. Operations occur daily starting at 8 a.m., continuing until midnight from Monday through Saturday, and until 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Fare structure

Currently, passengers can ride the QLine without charge, thanks to financial support from the State of Michigan. When it launched in September 2017, the fare was set at $1.50. This increased to $2 in October 2019, coinciding with the QLine’s integration into the Dart payment platform shared by the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) and the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT).

Vehicle towing

M-1 Rail possesses a towing permit and is legally empowered by state regulations to remove vehicles obstructing its streetcar tracks, relocating them to designated City of Detroit impound facilities. Towing services began in June 2022 after M-1 Rail received a donated tow truck from a Florida-based company.

External links