Novi Celebrates Historic Bus Accessibility as Wayne County Takes Steps to Enhance Public Transit Options

Novi Takes a Giant Leap for Public Transit!

In a major win for residents, Novi has made history by becoming accessible by bus for the first time ever! Thanks to a decision back in 2022 that approved a millage meant to expand bus routes throughout Oakland County, riders can now hop on a bus and head straight to the popular Twelve Oaks Mall.

Exciting Changes on the Horizon

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! This month, lawmakers in Wayne County are gearing up to push forward with a plan to broaden public transport options, making life a little easier for everyone in the area. The first step in this process is set for November, when they will be voting on amending state law that governs the body overseeing transportation.

Currently, there’s a bit of a hiccup with how funding for public transit is set up. Only 43 cities and townships exist within the county, and a surprising 17 of those don’t contribute to public transit costs. This has created some frustrating gaps in transportation for residents. For instance, someone in Dearborn, who pays into the transit funding, can’t simply catch a bus down to Canton Township, where they don’t pay for transit. Talk about confusing!

Lawmakers Seeking a Change

Rep. Alabas Farhat has a plan up his sleeve to tackle this issue. He mentioned that he’s currently working on building consensus around a bill that would amend the outdated public transit law from 1986, effectively allowing Wayne County to catch up with its neighbors, Oakland and Macomb County, which don’t allow communities to opt-out of supporting public transport.

County Executive Warren Evans couldn’t agree more, calling the current law a “dinosaur of the past.” He noted that updating this law is critical to growth in Wayne County. Evans went on to say, “It’s kind of ridiculous. We spend tons of money on workforce development and health services, and then we prevent people from getting to those very things.”

Benefits for Everyone

By removing the option for cities to opt-out, the quality of transit services would likely see significant improvements. It would open up new opportunities for job seekers, seniors, and individuals with disabilities—basically, anyone who needs a bit of help getting from point A to point B. Increasing access to public transit can truly enhance the overall quality of life for all residents in Wayne County.

Navigating Regional Transit Framework

With this update, there’s also a promise for discussions among various agencies such as the Detroit Department of Transportation, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), and SMART to create a coordinated approach for public transport across Southeast Michigan. The ultimate goal is to develop a robust regional transit framework that everyone can depend on, making wobbly bus routes a thing of the past!

Once everything is solidified, a proposal will be placed on the county ballot during an upcoming election, allowing residents to have their say about expanding public transit options. With reliable funding, there’s hope that even larger transit networks could be on the horizon, invigorating local economies and communities alike.

A Bright Future for Transit

This initiative is definitely taking public transportation in Wayne County in the right direction. So, hold on tight, folks! With these changes underway, the future of getting around in southeast Michigan is looking brighter than ever!