Detroit People Mover to be Fare-free Starting in 2024

**Lowell** · December-17-23, 05:37 PM

Interesting idea. Seemingly it will be subsidized by sponsors. Best ride for viewing downtown Detroit IMO.

Part of the problem is "the current fare system is one of the leading barriers for convenient use. The equipment is all original to the People Mover with no electronic options - accepting only coins, tokens or magnetic-striped passes purchased in advance,” Cramer said in the release. “Maintaining and finding parts for fare gate repairs is a growing challenge as well.” [Cost to fix? $5 Mil]

As for current funding, "The Free Press noted in 2017 that “the City of Detroit, for example, pays $6.5 million every year as an operating subsidy, and Act 51, the state's main transportation funding formula, provides another $5.6 million.”
https://freep-mi.newsmemory.com?selD...Detroit%20Free Press

**Danny** · December-17-23, 07:09 PM

Just like Gilbert's Toy Train.

**401don** · December-17-23, 07:20 PM

Any idea how much they collected in fares last year? Presumably, they could generate more revenue by increasing ads. As we've seen at stadiums/arenas, etc. there seems to be no end to how many ads you can plaster on them. They could put ads on all the poles that go to the ground or better yet on the sound system. "This is the Greektown Station. Why not stop at Five Guys and try our new combo?"

**Jimaz** · December-17-23, 08:12 PM

In Blade Runner, your eyelids are your adblocker.

**ABetterDetroit** · December-17-23, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

In Blade Runner, your eyelids are your adblocker.

“A new life awaits you in the off world colonies. The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure.”

And miss that???

**canuck** · December-18-23, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

In Blade Runner, your eyelids are your adblocker.

Lawl x 100.

**carlscomputers** · December-27-23, 09:11 PM

This is interesting on a related note...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...ains-1.7064674

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...nt/ar-AA1lKQ04

**Gistok** · December-28-23, 09:31 AM

The Detroit People Mover maintenance center at the Grand River Station has a huge facility that can easily house the 5 pair of train cars. It was originally built to house dozens more, when the original expectation was to expand the system. Getting any extra spare parts will also help out.

**Richard** · December-28-23, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by carlscomputers

This is interesting on a related note...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...ains-1.7064674

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...nt/ar-AA1lKQ04

Like the people mover it’s a unique system,if Detroit decided to dismantle the people mover system,who would buy it it?

That would give Detroit 3 completely non-compatible rail systems,the cost of implementing is one thing,but the cost of maintenance for long term stability or the ability of the city to maintain it economically is another.

The TTC created a ‘State of Good Repair’ program for a reason: the fatal 1995 Russell Hill subway accident,” TTCriders said, noting that the TTC “recently cancelled a Request for Proposals to replace subway trains on Line 2 because it could not secure the required funding from provincial and federal governments.”
“The TTC has a State of Good Repair backlog of $6.3 billion over the next ten years. All levels of government must invest in maintaining a safe, reliable system.”

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/scarborou...fety-1.6492922

They are also many years past their service life,so what is the cost for refurbishment per car,they were moving 30,000 riders per day.

They may he cheap to purchase initially but operating costs will tax the city and put a bad image on future lines, unlike the Q Line you would not be able to extend it and being it is a unique system,Like the people mover replacement parts IE operating cost are going to be very expensive long term.

There is a reason Canada is dumping them.

This article makes it appear as though Detroit would be buying them as parts and replacement cars for the people mover as the current ones are no longer supported.

Detroit would fork over $1 million to the TTC per train, with an additional $1 million in shipping costs, compared with investing a projected $2 to $4 million per vehicle to bring Detroit's People Mover trains up to the condition of retired Line 3 trains.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2023/12/...t-new-life-us/

So I guess it comes down to what the city really wants to do long term with the people mover,this is just basically buying time.

But it raises questions because if the cars are 10 years past their useful life span what condition are the parts really in?

Cars were refurbished in 2015.