{{Short description|Public transit operator in suburban Metro Detroit, Michigan}} {{redirect|SEMTA}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox Bus transit | name = Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation | logo = Logo Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation.svg | logo_size = 250 | image =SMART 2019 Gillig BRT 3914.jpg | image_size = | image_caption =SMART bus in Farmington Hills | parent = | founded = {{start date|1967}} | headquarters = Buhl Building<br />Downtown Detroit, Michigan | locale =Detroit | service_area = Metro Detroit counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb | service_type = Local bus service, express bus service, paratransit | alliance = RTA | routes = 44 | destinations = | stops = | hubs =Spirit Plaza<br>Jason Hargrove Transit Center<br/>Royal Oak Transit Center<br/>Dearborn Transit Center<br>Macomb Mall | stations = | lounge = | fleet = 262 | ridership = 23,875 (2024)<ref>{{cite web | title=FY 2024 Ridership Summary | website=smartbus.org |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/FY%202024%20Ridership%20Summary_1.pdf| access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref> | fuel_type = Biodiesel<br/>Electric | operator = | leader_type = General Manager | leader = Tiffany Gunter | website = {{official url}} }}
The '''Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation''' ('''SMART''') is the public transit operator serving the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Beginning operations in 1967 as the '''Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority''' ('''SEMTA'''), the agency was reorganized and renamed SMART in 1989. SMART operates 44 bus routes (supplementing the Detroit Department of Transportation), plus paratransit and microtransit services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=System Map |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/System%20Maps/SMARTSystemMap.pdf |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
==History==
=== 1967–1989: SEMTA === {{see also|SEMTA Commuter Rail}} The Michigan Legislature passed the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities Act of 1967, which included the creation of the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA). SEMTA was charged to take over the ownership and operations of the fractured regional transit systems in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, including the city of Detroit.<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History of Regional Transit in Southeast Michigan |url=http://www.smartbus.org/aboutus/overview/Pages/History-of-Transit-in-Southeast-Michigan-Region-.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804011104/http://www.smartbus.org/aboutus/overview/Pages/History-of-Transit-in-Southeast-Michigan-Region-.aspx |archive-date=2012-08-04 |accessdate= |work=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
The new authority acquired several suburban transit bus operations including Lake Shore Coach Lines (1971), Pontiac Municipal Transit Service (1973), Dearborn's Metropolitan Transit (1974), Birmingham's Great Lakes Transit (1974), and Royak Oak's Martin Lines (1975). However, the 1967 transportation act did not provide the regional authority with any means to levy taxes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southeastern Michigan Transportation History Part II: The New Regional Transportation Authority Moves Forward|url=http://detroittransithistory.info/Suburban/SEMTAHistory2.html|work=Detroit Transit History|accessdate=November 11, 2018}}</ref> By 1974, the Detroit Department of Street Railways (DSR) had been reorganized as a city department of Detroit, leaving SEMTA only coordination over the suburban services.<ref name=History/> That same year, SEMTA acquired a commuter train service between downtown Detroit and Pontiac from the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. Due to declining ridership and a lack of funding, the commuter rail service was discontinued in October 1983.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=}}
In 1979, SEMTA approved a regional transit plan, which included improved bus service and new rail transit, but the plan was never implemented due to lack of funds.<ref name=History/> The last commuter rail service was a former Penn Central route, named the ''Michigan Executive,'' that ran from the Michigan Central Depot in Detroit to Jackson. Its final operator was Amtrak, as funded by the State of Michigan. The already pared down Executive service ended in 1984.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022|reason=}}
Beginning in 1983, SEMTA oversaw the construction of the Detroit People Mover, which was conceived as part of a much larger project of light rail lines and a downtown subway. Mismanagement of the project resulted in tens of millions of dollars in cost overruns, causing the federal government to pull out of the project. In 1985, with the half-built project in limbo, the city of Detroit negotiated with SEMTA to take over the project, and it was transferred to the newly created Detroit Transportation Corporation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=1984-11-23 |title=Flaws Slowing People Mover Project |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/23/us/flaws-slowing-people-mover-project.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-07-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== 1989–2009: Reorganization as SMART, opt-out system === thumb|Logo used from 1989 to 2022, still extant on most vehicles With little interest in the suburbs for expanding mass transit and Detroit not interested in joining the system, SEMTA was restructured as SMART in 1989, reducing the authority's service area from seven counties to four and excluding the city of Detroit.<ref name=History/> Mike Duggan, then Wayne County's deputy county executive and vice chair of SMART's board of directors, was named the agency's general manager in February 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1992-02-29 |title=Saving SMART |pages=8A |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-duggan-smart-1992/122978167/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The first millages to fund SMART passed by wide margins in Macomb and Wayne counties in May 1995,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Waldmeir |first=Pete |date=1995-05-28 |title=Big SMART victory was no plot; just a case of voters doing the decent thing |work=The Detroit News |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122960597/smart-victory-1995-detroit-news/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last1=Ourlian |first1=Robert |last2=Seymour |first2=Liz |date=1995-05-29 |title=SMART checking ways to improve routes |pages=10A |work=The Detroit News |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122961390/smart-millage-1995/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> followed by a similar millage in Oakland County the following June.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-06-08 |title=SMART Approval |pages=10A |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-june-8-1995-smart-app/37653291/}}</ref> While the Macomb millage was levied countywide, the millages in Wayne and Oakland were only voted upon by communities whose councils opted to participate. Other communities chose to leave SMART to avoid the new property tax, setting up the "opt-out" system that remained in place for much of SMART's history.<ref name=":15" />
In October 1994, SMART introduced Job Express, a shuttle service (similar to microtransit) which transported workers from SMART hubs to nearby workplaces. The service was offered in three areas, extending one mile each from the Royal Oak Transit Center, Fairlane Town Center, and Macomb Mall.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pullen |first1=Ginger |last2=Thurtell |first2=Joel |date=1994-11-01 |title=Van service gives commuters a lift' |pages=5C |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-smart-job-express-11/122969096/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Initial plans called for up to fifteen such service zones, though only two were added (one spurring from Lakeside Mall, and another serving Somerset Collection), and the Macomb Mall area was expanded to cover much of Groesbeck Highway.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selinger |first=Marc |date=1996-06-18 |title=Macomb to add to bus services |pages=1B |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-smart-macomb-service/77172879/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Livonia opted out of SMART in 2005, as the first, and so far only, community to leave the system since 1995.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Bello |first=Marisol |date=2005-12-30 |title=Detroit is bracing for a lean new year |pages=1A |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110610347/livonia-smart-2005/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Suburban_Mobility_Authority_for_Regional_Transportation |access-date= |website=CPTDB Wiki |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board}}</ref> Walled Lake rejoined the following year.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2006-07-09 |title=Election 2006 |pages=2B |work=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110608691/walled-lake-smart-opt-in-2006/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In order to prevent possible service cuts, SMART raised its fares by $0.50 on December 1, 2009; there was also a $0.50 charge added to regional monthly pass users and DDOT transfers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Notices |url=http://www.smartbus.org/Smart/News+and+Info/Public+Notices/Fare+Increase+and+Transfer+Policy+Change+Effective+December+1+2009.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926093045/http://www.smartbus.org/Smart/News+and+Info/Public+Notices/Fare+Increase+and+Transfer+Policy+Change+Effective+December+1+2009.htm |archive-date=September 26, 2009 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
=== 2011–2017: Service cuts === In October 2011, SMART discontinued 22% of its scheduled service and laid off 123 employees. This was widely attributed to declining property values (following the Great Recession) which led to reduced property tax revenue, and the inability of the authority to reach an agreement with its unions.<ref name="History" />
In January 2012, the Farmington City Council voted 4-1 to opt out of SMART, though they unanimously reversed their decision two weeks later. Meanwhile, neighboring Farmington Hills narrowly voted to remain in the system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-01-31 |title=Farmington City Council Reverses Decision and Stays in SMART |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2012/01/31/farmington-city-council-reverses-decision-and-stays-in-smart/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=WDIV |language=en}}</ref>
Lathrup Village, which had opted out of SMART in 1995, rejoined the system in 2014.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last= |date=2015-03-04 |title=This Suburb Opted In to SMART After 19 Years |url=https://motorcityfreedomriders.org/2015/03/04/this-suburb-opted-in-to-smart-after-19-years/ |access-date= |website=Motor City Freedom Riders |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2018–2022: Expansion, integration, and rebranding === On January 1, 2018, SMART began operating three high frequency, limited-stop FAST bus services, connecting downtown Detroit to suburban communities with frequent service.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Runyan |first=Robin |date=December 28, 2017 |title=Ride to the airport for $2.00 on new SMART bus service |url=https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/12/28/16825374/smart-bus-route-ride-airport |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202163600/https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/12/28/16825374/smart-bus-route-ride-airport |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Curbed Detroit |language=en}}</ref> FAST represented the first major expansion of the system since the 2011 service cuts.
In May 2019, SMART and DDOT unified their fare structures and introduced Dart, a common fare payment system, with regional passes and mobile ticketing.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2019-04-17 |title=DDOT, SMART to launch unified payment system to cut hassle for Detroit bus riders |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2019/04/17/ddot-smart-bus-transfer-fees/3496478002/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2019-09-09 |title=Detroit launches Dart app for mobile transit payments and passes, powered by Passport |url=https://michiganchronicle.com/2019/09/09/detroit-launches-dart-app-for-mobile-transit-payments-and-passes-powered-by-passport/ |access-date= |website=Michigan Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> The QLINE joined Dart the following October.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2019-08-20 |title=QLINE to join DDOT, SMART unified payment system beginning in October |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2019/08/20/qline-ddot-smart-dart-payment-system/2054360001/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2021, SMART began offering Flex, a microtransit service, operated by Via Transportation under contract. Flex was initially offered in three small zones within SMART's service area, with one covering Dearborn and most of Taylor alongside portions of surrounding communities, another serving portions of Troy and surrounding cities, and the third serving communities along M-59 in Macomb County. Two more zones were added in August 2021 and May 2022, covering Auburn Hills and Pontiac, and Farmington and Farmington Hills, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-12-21 |title=SMART Flex Service Has On Demand Transit in Pontiac, Auburn Hills, and Troy |url=https://oaklandcounty115.com/2021/12/21/smart-flex-service-has-on-demand-transit-in-pontiac-auburn-hills-and-troy/ |access-date= |website=Oakland County Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2022, the Auburn Hills City Council voted 5-2 to opt out of SMART.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laitner |first=Bill |date=2022-02-22 |title=Auburn Hills council votes to drop SMART bus service |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/02/22/auburn-hills-drops-smart-buses/6888211001/ |access-date= |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowe |first=Corey |title=Auburn Hills Transit: Call to Action |url=https://rochesterriders.org/auburn-hills/ |access-date= |website=Rochester Riders |language=en-US}}</ref> The city's exit was blocked by a judge in May, however, and Auburn Hills remained a member until the opt-out system's abolition in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2022-05-18 |title=Auburn Hills wants to leave SMART bus system — but judge's ruling becomes major hurdle |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/05/18/auburn-hills-smart-bus-millage/9810236002/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref> Macomb Township's board of trustees similarly passed a resolution in March expressing interest in opting out of SMART services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tuttle |first=Nicole |date=2022-03-12 |title=Macomb Township seeks to opt out of SMART |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/03/12/macomb-township-seeks-to-opt-out-of-smart |access-date= |website=The Macomb Daily |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2022–present: Rebranding and Oakland County expansion === 2022 saw a renewed push for a countywide expansion of SMART in Oakland County, ahead of the scheduled millage renewal that August. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners proposed replacing the existing SMART millage with a new ten-year .95 millage, levied on all homes in the county, not just in existing member communities.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2022-08-10 |title=Oakland County commissioners OK countywide transit millage for ballot |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/08/10/oakland-county-voters-transit-millage/10291800002/ |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett}}</ref> Approved by voters in November 2022,<ref name=":11" /> the millage abolished opt-out system in Oakland County, allowing for the expansion of SMART services to the far reaches of Metro Detroit.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=McNichol |first=Peg |date=2022-08-12 |title=Oakland County voters will decide countywide transit millage |url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2022/08/12/voters-will-decide-countywide-transit-millage |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Oakland Press |language=en-US}}</ref> Work is underway for new routes to begin operations in 2023.<ref name=":16" /> [[File:SMART - Turn Oakland County Green 2023 Earth Day March & Fair.jpg|thumb|SMART Proterra ZX5 on display at an Earth Day event, 2023]] SMART unveiled a new logo and branding in August 2022, coinciding with a new advertising campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=Board of Directors Meeting - August 25, 2022 |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Portals/0/August%2025%20Board%20Book.pdf |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref> The following month, SMART introduced their first electric bus, one of four Proterra ZX5 units purchased by the agency with a Federal Transit Administration grant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLenon |first=Alex |date=2022-09-27 |title=SMART acquires its first electric buses |url=https://wdet.org/2022/09/27/smart-acquires-its-first-electric-buses/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=WDET |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
In February 2023, the original Dart payment app was discontinued, as its creator, Passport, exited the transit payments market. Mobile Dart passes were moved to the Token Transit app.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2023-02-22 |title=DDOT, SMART bus riders to use new app for digital passes |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/02/22/ddot-smart-token-transit-digital-bus-passes/69933751007/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Millage and opt-out system == Since 1995, SMART has been funded in large part by a millage,<ref name=":15" /> renewed by voters in member communities in midterm election years through 2022. The millage has historically been approved by wide margins in every member community in Oakland and Wayne counties, though less so in Macomb County, passing there by a narrow margin of 39 votes in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Christina |date=2018-08-17 |title=It's official: SMART millage passes in Macomb Co. by a whole 39 votes |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2018/08/17/smart-millage-passes-macomb-county-39-votes/1022021002/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref> The millage was extended from four to five years in Wayne and Macomb counties, and to ten years in Oakland County, beginning in 2022.
SMART is notable among US transit systems for the ability of individual communities to "opt out" of the system. Opted-out communities are not subject to the taxes levied by the SMART millage, but as a result do not receive SMART's services. Some of these communities are members of smaller transit agencies providing paratransit services for seniors and disabled residents, but lack scheduled fixed-route bus service.
17 communities in Wayne County currently opt out of SMART service, of which all but one (Livonia) opted out with the first millage in 1995.<ref name=":1" /> Detroit is one such community, as its own DDOT provides fixed-route bus service to the city, though it is served by SMART's FAST limited-stop routes, as well as other routes during peak hours.
Communities in Macomb County and Oakland County are not able to opt out of SMART, as their millages have been levied countywide since 1995 and 2023, respectively. Four Oakland County communities opted out in 1995 but later rejoined: Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield (both 1996), Walled Lake (2006),<ref name=":3" /> and Lathrup Village (2014).<ref name=":4" /> The 34 remaining opted-out Oakland County communities were added to the system in 2023.<ref name=":12" />
=== 2022 changes & Oakland County expansion === In 2022, the SMART millage in Macomb and Wayne counties was extended to five years, and moved to the November general election ballot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2022-08-11 |title=Wayne County board OKs SMART millage for ballot in opt-in communities |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2022/08/11/wayne-county-board-smart-millage-ballot-question/10303578002/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=2022-07-14 |title=Macomb County voters will get to decide fate of SMART transit millage |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2022/07/14/macomb-county-voters-smart-millage/10064110002/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref> Both were approved by wide margins.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last1=Hall|first1=Christina|last2=Lawrence|first2=Eric D.|date=2022-11-09|title=Oakland County all in on transit as millage passes; Macomb, Wayne voters also show support|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/09/oakland-county-regional-transit-millage/69627039007/|access-date=2022-12-04|website=Detroit Free Press|publisher=Gannett|language=}}</ref>
In Oakland County, the SMART millage was replaced with a ten-year countywide public transit millage, which abolished the opt-out system in Oakland County, and funds three smaller paratransit providers (the North Oakland Transportation Authority, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, and Older Persons' Commission) alongside SMART.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /> The county's Board of Commissioners approved the new millage proposal on August 10, 2022 in a bipartisan vote, with two Republicans joining all 13 Democrats on the board.<ref name=":9" /> The proposal appeared on the November 2022 general election ballot in all Oakland County communities, and passed with 57% of the vote.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=2022-11-09|title=Oakland County voters pass millage to expand public transportation|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/democracy-2022/oakland-county-voters-pass-millage-to-expand-public-transportation|access-date=|website=WXYZ|language=en}}</ref> As a result, SMART's service area expanded to all of Oakland County on January 3, 2023, though new services in portions of the county (Novi, Bloomfield Hills, and Wixom) did not begin operation until September 2023, with initialization of further services in 2024.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=Yazbeck |first=Thomas |date=2023-02-10 |title=New SMART Bus Routes Coming in 2023! |url=https://www.detroittransit.org/new-smart-routes-2023/ |access-date= |website=Transportation Riders United |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Wayne County member communities === {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Allen Park * Dearborn * Dearborn Heights * Ecorse * Garden City * Grosse Pointe * Grosse Pointe Farms * Grosse Pointe Park * Grosse Pointe Shores * Grosse Pointe Woods * Hamtramck * Harper Woods * Highland Park * Inkster * Lincoln Park * Melvindale * Redford * River Rouge * Riverview * Romulus * Southgate * Taylor * Trenton * Wayne * Westland * Wyandotte {{div col end}}
== Services == === Fixed-route buses === SMART is the primary public transit operator serving Detroit's suburbs, and fixed-route bus services comprise the majority of its service. 44 routes of various types operate across SMART's three-county service area.
==== FAST ==== [[File:SMART 2020 New Flyer XD60 4010.jpg|thumb|FAST Woodward bus in Berkley]] '''Frequent Affordable Safe Transit''' ('''FAST''') is SMART's flagship service; its limited-stop bus routes serve as the main arteries of the network, connecting the suburbs with downtown Detroit. Four FAST routes currently operate along three major Metro Detroit avenues - Gratiot, Michigan, and Woodward - with service every 20 minutes on weekdays (excluding along Michigan), and stops roughly every mile for most of their lengths.<ref name=":5" /> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" ! rowspan="2" |Route Name ! rowspan="2" |# ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Termini ! rowspan="2" |Length ! colspan="3" |Headway (minutes) ! rowspan="2" |Notes |- !Mon-Fri !Sat !Sun |- |style="background:#004DB0; color:black;" |'''''FAST Michigan''''' |'''261''' | rowspan="4" |Spirit Plaza |Detroit Metro Airport |{{convert|22.1|mi|km}} |30 |60 |60 | |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#F73018; color:black;" |'''''FAST Woodward''''' |'''461''' |Troy Civic Center |{{convert|24|mi|km}} |40 |60 |60–110 | rowspan="2" |Concurrent from Birmingham south, with service every 20 minutes combined; local stops in Pontiac on 462 |- |'''462''' |Great Lakes Crossing Outlets/Auburn Mile |{{convert|32.5|mi|km}} |40 |60 |120 |- | style="background:#8AD000; color:black;" |'''''FAST Gratiot''''' |'''561''' |Gratiot + 23 Mile |{{convert|27|mi|km}} |20 |30 |60 | |}'''Local routes'''
SMART's 33 local routes serve as the main public transit connection between Detroit's suburbs.<ref name=":0" /> Each is classified as either a high-ridership "main corridor" route, a long-distance "crosstown" route, or a "community" route focused on serving denser areas. Almost all connect to FAST, enabling connections to downtown Detroit. Most local routes run hourly, though a few are more frequent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schedules by Route |url=http://www.smartbus.org/Schedules/Route-Schedules |access-date=2022-12-03 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" ! rowspan="2" |# ! rowspan="2" |Route Name ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Termini ! rowspan="2" |Length ! colspan="3" |Headway (minutes) ! rowspan="2" |Notes |- !Mon-Fri !Sat !Sun |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''125''' |''Fort Street/Eureka Road'' |W Jefferson Avenue & Coolidge Highway (River Rouge) |Detroit Metro Airport |{{convert|22.1|mi|km}} |30 |60 |60 | |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''140''' |''Southshore'' | rowspan="2" |Dearborn Transit Center |Southgate Meijer |{{convert|16.8|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Interlined with 250 |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''160''' |''Downriver'' |West Road & Grange Road (Trenton) |{{convert|26.4|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' | |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''200''' | rowspan="2" |''Michigan Avenue Local'' |rowspan="2"|Fairlane Town Center |Michigan Avenue & John Hix Road (Wayne) |{{convert|11.4|mi|km}} |90 |120 |120 | rowspan="2" |Concurrent from Wayne Road east Select late-night trips start and end at Michigan + Schaefer |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''210''' | rowspan="2" |Westland Meijer |{{convert|16.8|mi|km}} |90 |120 |120 |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''250''' |''Ford Road'' |Dearborn Transit Center |{{convert|14.4|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Interlined with 140 |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''275''' |''Telegraph -'' ''Taylor/Tel-Twelve'' |12 Mile Road & Telegraph Road (Southfield) |Eureka Road & Pardee Road (Taylor) |{{convert|27.4|mi|km}} |40–60 |60 |'''-''' |Overlaps with 375 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''280''' |''Western Wayne Crosstown'' | rowspan="2" |Old Redford Meijer (Northwest Detroit) |Detroit Metro Airport Evans Terminal |{{convert|23|mi|km}} |60 |75 |75 |Only services Evans Terminal at Metro Airport |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''305''' |''Grand River'' | rowspan="2" |Wixom Meijer |{{convert|16.1|mi|km}} |60 |60 |60 | |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''350''' |''Wixom'' |Haggerty Road & Crumb Road (Commerce Township) |{{convert|8.4|mi|km}} |50 |50 |50 | |- | style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;" |'''375''' |''Telegraph -'' ''Old Redford/Pontiac'' |Old Redford Meijer (Northwest Detroit) |Amazon Pontiac |{{convert|24.4|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' |Overlaps with 275 from 7 Mile to 12 Mile |- | style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;" |'''405''' |''Northwestern Highway'' |Jason Hargrove Transit Center |Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital |{{convert|21.4|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' | |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''415''' |''Greenfield'' | rowspan="2" |Northland | rowspan="2" |Royal Oak Meijer |{{convert|8.7|mi|km}} |70 |70 |45 | rowspan="2" |Interlined on weekdays and Saturdays |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''420''' |''Southfield'' |{{convert|9.1|mi|km}} |70 |70 |'''-''' |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''430''' |''Main Street'' |Royal Oak Transit Center |Adams Marketplace (Rochester Hills) |{{convert|17.8|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Select trips at peak hours divert to Royal Oak High School |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''450''' |''Woodward Local - Pontiac'' | rowspan="5" |Jason Hargrove Transit Center |Downtown Pontiac |{{convert|16.9|mi|km}} |60 |60 |120 | rowspan="2" |Concurrent from southern terminus to 10 Mile, and from 11 Mile to Maple; 460 diverts from Woodward to service downtown Royal Oak |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''460''' |''Woodward Local - Somerset'' |Somerset Collection (Troy) |{{convert|11.8|mi|km}} |60 |60 |120 |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''492''' |''Rochester'' |Oakland University (Auburn Hills) |{{convert|28.1|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' | |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''494''' |''Dequindre'' |Auburn Road & Rochester Road (Rochester Hills) |{{convert|18.3|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' | |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''495''' |''John R'' |Oakland Mall (Troy) |{{convert|8.7|mi|km}} |30 |45 |45 | |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''510''' | rowspan="2" |''Van Dyke'' | rowspan="3" |Bel Air Shopping Center (Detroit) |Lakeside Circle (Sterling Heights) |{{convert|15.8|mi|km}} | rowspan="2" |20–30 | rowspan="2" |30 | rowspan="2" |60 | rowspan="2" |Trips alternate between northern termini |- |Shelby Township Walmart |{{convert|19.2|mi|km}} |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''525''' |''Groesbeck'' |Clinton Township Meijer |{{convert|18.3|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' | |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''550''' |''Garfield'' |Macomb Mall (Roseville) |Lakeside Circle (Sterling Heights) |{{convert|12|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Interlined with 615 |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''560''' |''Gratiot Local'' |Gratiot Avenue & 8 Mile Road (Detroit) |23 Mile Road & Altman Road (New Baltimore) |{{convert|21.1|mi|km}} |20 |30 |60 |Most runs end at Gratiot & 23 Mile; one trip per hour continues to New Baltimore |- |style="background:#4C3099; color:black;"|'''610''' |''Kercheval-Harper'' |Jefferson Avenue & Alter Road (Grosse Pointe Park) |North River Road Park & Ride (Mt. Clemens) |{{convert|21.1|mi|km}} |60 |60 |65 |Sunday trips divert to Vernier Road |- |style="background:#A3278C; color:black;"|'''615''' |''Jefferson'' | rowspan="3" |Moross Road & Mack Avenue (Detroit) |Macomb Mall (Roseville) |{{convert|11|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Interlined with 550 |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''710''' |''9 Mile Crosstown'' |9 Mile Road & Telegraph Road (Southfield) |{{convert|20.7|mi|km}} |30 |60 |45 |First eastbound trip daily starts at 9 Mile + Woodward No Sunday service west of Lodge Freeway (truncated to 10 Mile + Evergreen) |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''730''' |''10 Mile Crosstown'' |10 Mile Rd & Telegraph Road (Southfield) |{{convert|28.9|mi|km}} |60 |60 |'''-''' |First two trips daily start, and last two end, at Royal Oak Transit Center |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''740''' |''12 Mile Crosstown'' |13 Mile Road & Little Mack Avenue (Roseville) |Wixom Meijer |{{convert|41.9|mi|km}} |60 |60 |60 |Select trips start and end in Royal Oak No Sunday service west of Woodward Avenue (truncated to Detroit Zoo) |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''759''' |''Highland Road'' |Oakland University (Auburn Hills) |M-59 & Bogie Lake Road (White Lake) |{{convert|19.7|mi|km}} |50 |50 |'''-''' | |- | style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;" |'''760''' |''13 Mile/14 Mile Crosstown'' |13 Mile Road & Little Mack Avenue |12 Mile Road & Telegraph Road (Southfield) |{{convert|26.4|mi|km}} |60 |'''-''' |'''-''' |Last westbound trip daily ends at Oakland Mall |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''780''' |''15 Mile Crosstown'' |15 Mile Road & Harper Avenue (Clinton Township) |Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge Campus (Farmington Hills) |{{convert|34.4|mi|km}} |50 |60 |'''-''' |Last 3 westbound trips daily end at Somerset Collection |- |style="background:#00A3C2; color:black;"|'''790''' |''Pontiac Crosstown'' |Columbia Avenue & Baldwin Avenue (Pontiac) |Adams Marketplace (Rochester Hills) |{{convert|17|mi|km}} |60 |60 |60 |Most weekday trips divert to serve Oakland County Courthouse & Service Center |- |} '''Commuter routes'''
In addition to FAST and local routes, SMART operates seven commuter express routes between Downtown Detroit and the suburbs during weekday rush hours. They run toward Detroit in the morning, and toward the suburbs in the afternoon; all seven follow roughly the same path through Downtown Detroit, serving Spirit Plaza and the Rosa Parks Transit Center.<ref name=":0" />
Routes 255, 530, 620, and 635 run primarily on local roads, twice daily, while routes in the 800-series run primarily on freeways, three times daily. {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" !# !Route Name !Suburban terminus !Length !Daily trips !Notes |- |'''255''' |''Ford Road Express'' |Westland Police Department |{{convert|20.1|mi|km}} |2 |Signed only as "Express" on headsign |- |'''530''' |''Schoenherr'' |Lakeside Circle (Sterling Heights) |{{convert|23.4|mi|km}} |2 | |- |'''620''' |''Charlevoix'' |Macomb Mall (Roseville) |{{convert|20.4|mi|km}} |2 | |- |'''635''' |''Jefferson Express'' |Crocker Boulevard & Metro Parkway (Harrison Township) |{{convert|23.4|mi|km}} |2 | |- |'''805''' |''Grand River Park & Ride'' |Beck Road Park & Ride (Novi) |{{convert|35|mi|km}} |3 |Concurrent with 305 from downtown Farmington to Novi Road |- |'''830''' |''Downriver Park & Ride'' |West Road & Grange Road (Trenton) |{{convert|22.8|mi|km}} |3 |Concurrent with 160 from Dix/I-75 to Dix/Northline, and from Trenton/Eureka to southern terminus |- |'''851''' |''West Bloomfield-Farmington Hills Park & Ride'' |Orchard Lake Road & Lone Pine Road (West Bloomfield) |{{convert|33.6|mi|km}} |3 |Breaks from freeway route to serve intermediate stops in Midtown Detroit and Southfield |}
==== Fares ==== SMART and DDOT share a unified fare structure, known as Dart, with most of their passes accepted by both agencies.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> A four-hour pass (the equivalent of a single bus ride) costs US$2 for most riders, with a reduced fare of 50¢ for riders aged 6–18 or over 64, as well as disabled riders. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available, either as physical tickets, or digital passes through the Token Transit app.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fares |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Fares |access-date=2022-10-02 |website= |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
==== Current bus fleet ==== Fixed routes are operated with a fleet of 262 buses, consisting mostly of biodiesel-powered 40-foot Gillig BRT units, as well as some articulated New Flyer Xcelsior and battery-electric Proterra ZX5 buses. Three terminals, one in each county of the service area, store and maintain the fleet.<ref name=":2" />
=== Dial-a-ride and paratransit ===
==== Connector ==== thumb|Connector minibusConnector is a dial-a-ride service available across the SMART service area, which requires a reservation made by telephone at least one day in advance. It is available to residents of all ages, provided they live more than 1/3 of a mile away from a fixed route, though the distance requirement is waived for seniors (65 or older) and disabled riders.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Using Connector Service |url=https://www.smartbus.org/Services/Connector/Using-Connector-Service |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=www.smartbus.org}}</ref>
Connector services are operated using a fleet of propane-powered Champion Challenger minibuses.<ref name=":2" /> [[File:SMART Community Transit (Farmington Hills) 2012 Champion Challenger 32106.jpg|thumb|Community Transit minibus operated by the City of Farmington Hills]]
==== Community Transit ==== Community Transit is a similar paratransit service, available only to seniors and disabled riders. Unlike Connector, which is operated directly by SMART, Community Transit is operated by the municipal governments of member communities, as well as some nonprofit organizations.
Community Transit is operated with a fleet of Champion and ElDorado minibuses, and Ford E-Series and Transit vans, painted white with red-and-orange stripes.<ref name=":2" />
=== Microtransit === [[File:SMART Flex Chrysler Pacifica.jpg|thumb|Flex Chrysler Pacifica]]Flex is an on-demand microtransit service, operated under contract by Via Transportation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2021 |title=SMART launches SMART Flex, Detroit's first on-demand transit service with Via |url=https://ridewithvia.com/news/smart-launches-smart-flex-detroits-first-on-demand-transit-service-with-via |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Via Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marini |first=Miriam |date=March 24, 2021 |title=SMART's new van service will help riders with shorter trips |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/24/smart-flex-vans-wayne-oakland-macomb/6982429002/ |access-date=May 28, 2022 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref> The service operates similar to ridesharing; a passenger books a ride via telephone or through the Flex smartphone app, and a marked minivan picks them up and takes them to their destination.<ref name=":10" /> Flex was launched in March 2021, and currently operates in five designated zones across the service area, covering all or part of 20 communities. Flex vehicles are driven by independent contractors, referred to by Via as "driver partners."<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Detroit First Day |url=https://drivewithvia.com/push/detroit-first-day/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Drive With Via |language=en-US}}</ref> The fleet used for Flex, owned by Avis Budget Group,<ref name=":14" /> consists mostly of Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna minivans. Each vehicle seats three to five Flex passengers, and some are equipped to transport wheelchairs.
Flex fares are distance-based, ranging from $2 to $8, and paid through the Flex app with a major credit or debit card. Dart passes are also accepted on Flex.
=== Special event services === [[File:DDOT Temporary State Fair Transit Center - 52548158886.jpg|thumb|SMART bus with flame graphics (right) at the temporary State Fair Transit Center in 2022]] SMART operates shuttle buses during the Woodward Dream Cruise, which is held annually in August along Woodward Avenue in Oakland County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The SMART Way to the Woodward Dream Cruise |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/News/the-smart-way-to-the-woodward-dream-cruise |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=SMART}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2014 |title=SMART Bus is Hot! |url=https://www.smartbus.org/about/news/smart-bus-is-hot |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=SMART}}</ref>
== Governance == [[File:March to Save Our Service (20).jpg|thumb|Entrance to SMART headquarters in Suite 600 of the Buhl Building]] SMART is headquartered in the Buhl Building in downtown Detroit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/Contact |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref> It is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors, consisting of two members each from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties, and one from Monroe County, appointed by their respective county executives.<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |title=Vision for Mobility |publisher=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation |year=2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/Our-Organization/Board-of-Directors |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
=== Board of Directors members === '''Wayne County''' * Assad Turfe, Deputy County Executive * Curtis Ivery, Chancellor, Wayne County Community College District '''Oakland County''' * Diana McBroom, Director of Risk Management * Eli Cooper, Transit Manager ''(vice chair)'' '''Macomb County''' * John Paul Rea, Deputy County Executive ''(chair)'' * Sheila Cote, Director, Office of Senior Services '''Monroe County''' * Royce Maniko, former Chief Finance Officer
== Labor relations == The majority of SMART's workforce is unionized. Fixed-route bus drivers are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1564,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |title=Pay, scheduling causes widespread SMART, DDOT driver shortage, missed routes |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/02/18/pay-scheduling-causes-big-bus-driver-shortage-for-ddot-smart/69907830007/ |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=Detroit Free Press |publisher=Gannett |language=en-US}}</ref> Connector drivers by Teamsters Local 247, mechanics by UAW Local 771,<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAW Local 771 |url=https://www.unionfacts.com/local/contracts/18018/UAW/771/Transportation_and_Warehousing |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Union Facts |language=en}}</ref> and dispatchers and supervisors by AFSCME Local 1786.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SMART Facts & History |url=https://www.smartbus.org/About/Our-Organization/SMART-Facts |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation}}</ref>
The independent contractors employed by Via Transportation for SMART Flex, as well as SMART's salaried administrative staff, are not unionized.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Michigan|Transportation}} {{Commons category}} * {{official website}} * [http://www.detroittransit.org/ Transportation Riders United]
{{Metro Detroit}} {{Detroit}} {{Michigan public transit}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Suburban Mobility Authority For Regional Transportation}} Category:Intermodal transportation authorities in Michigan Category:Metro Detroit Category:Transit agencies in the United States Category:Bus transportation in Michigan Category:Paratransit services in the United States Category:Public transportation in Michigan Category:Transportation in Detroit Category:Transportation in Oakland County, Michigan Category:Transportation in Wayne County, Michigan Category:Transportation in Macomb County, Michigan Category:Economy of Detroit Category:Economy of Metro Detroit Category:Government agencies established in 1967 Category:1967 establishments in Michigan