A proposed express bus route between downtown Detroit and Detroit Metro Airport that would operate 16 roundtrips each day is expected to start offering rides in March.The service would run from about 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and cost up to $15 per trip, although reduced fares in some cases could drop that substantially for those eligible, according to information supplied by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.

The RTA provided the latest details during public hearings this week on the proposed route, which the Free Press first reported on in February. Public comment is being accepted through Jan. 17 via phone at 313-402-1020, email at info@rtamichigan.org or regular mail at RTA, 1001 Woodward Ave., Suite 1400, Detroit, MI 48226.RTA officials envision a soft launch of the service ahead of the NCAA March Madness men’s basketball Midwest Regional games scheduled for March 29-31 at Little Caesars Arena, with a formal opening ahead of the NFL Draft scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit.

The route would travel primarily along Interstate 94 and offer airport stops at both the McNamara and Evans [[North) terminals and in downtown Detroit at a location in the area of Washington Boulevard and State Street. Those who spoke during an online public hearing Wednesday were generally enthusiastic about the project but some also expressed concern about the cost, noting that it’s more than the $2 fare charged for SMART’s Michigan Avenue FAST bus to the airport from Detroit. The FAST bus is a limited-stop route but would take about twice as long as the new RTA express route, which is expected to make the trip in half an hour, according to Julia Roberts, RTA planning and innovation director.
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