Detroit's elected leaders have focused a lot of attention on the Woodward Light Rail Project. Still, no rail system in Detroit will work without reliable and adequate bus service to feed it. More than 25% of Detroiters don't own vehicles. It would be a big mistake for the city to neglect bus service while developing light rail.

In fact, the Federal Transit Administration, which would pay for a large share of the Detroit rail project, won't allow it. Nevertheless, the city has so far failed to develop a plan to adequately pay for operating both systems.

Detroit's bus service historically has cost the city's general fund about $60 million a year -- $53 million in the current year. Facing an estimated $155-million deficit, the city is looking to the Department of Transportation to reduce costs. Correcting inefficiencies will, of course, help, but large cuts will inevitably mean reductions in already inadequate service. This month, the city proposed another heavy round of bus service cuts that would eliminate three routes, end 24-hour service and reduce weekend trips throughout the city.

What's more, the city has approved a bond issue for the Woodward rail project to be repaid largely though federal transit grants that would otherwise go toward bus service.

Long-term, the city may be counting on a regional transportation system to relieve it of its general fund subsidy to city transit service. That's a good idea: Transportation should be planned, run and funded regionally. But Detroit hurt itself by opposing legislation last year to create a Regional Transit Authority for southeast Michigan. Nor has Detroit seriously talked with suburban leaders recently about merging the city and suburban transit systems.

Detroit leaders cannot -- at least not now -- assume a regional solution to transit costs. To make that happen, Detroit must start negotiating with its suburban partners to come up with a regional plan that doesn't push bus riders to the back.


http://www.freep.com/article/2011051...5/1068/opinion