DETROIT – Here's a closer look at how the Regional Transit Authority's unveiled transit plan would affect specific communities in metro Detroit:
Click this map to view the full-screen version:
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Wayne County
Canton Township
Canton Township, one of Michigan’s fastest growing communities, is included in the proposed public transit plan. Canton would have a stop on the Commuter Express, with the Canton Express location sitting on the township’s busiest traffic hub -- Ford Road. They would also be connected to the Local Bus route, through Ford Road, which is an extension of SMART. The Ford bus route would flow into Westland, near the Westland Shopping Center.
Dearborn
Dearborn would sit along the Michigan Avenue BRT rail, as well as the Regional Rail under the proposal public transit plan. The city would have direct access to Detroit and to Ann Arbor. Dearborn would also be connected to the Airport Express service from Troy, as well as the Greenfield Cross County Connector service, which runs through Detroit, Southfield and into Troy.
Livonia
Livonia would have a few commuter options under the proposal public transit plan. The city would be connected to the Middlebelt South Local Bus service, which runs from Farmington Hills, through Livonia, and ends in Dearborn Heights. Livonia would also benefit from the Plymouth Road Cross County Connector service, which starts near Madonna University, and ends in Detroit, while running through southern Livonia. The closest Airport Express access point for Livonia residents would be in Novi.
Novi
The city of Novi would have several transportation options through the proposed public transit plan. To start, the city would have direct access to the airport through the Novi Airport Express station (275). Twelve Oaks Mall would be connected to the 12 Mile West Cross County Connector service. Other Connector services from Grand River, and 15 Mile will travel through Novi. Services from Novi would connect residents to Royal Oak, Troy, Farmington, Detroit and Southfield.
Oakland County
Birmingham
Birmingham would be connected to several areas of metro Detroit under the proposal public transit plan. Birmingham’s downtown area would be on the Woodward Bus Rapid Transit rail, which would connect to Detroit, Royal Oak and Pontiac. Birmingham would also be nearby the Troy Airport Express service, as well as Cross County Connector services on 15 Mile and Greenfield. Services near Birmingham would connect residents to Novi, Royal Oak, Troy and Macomb.
Pontiac
Pontiac is the last stop on the Woodward Bus Rapid Transit rail, under the proposal public transit plan. The city would also be connected to the Highland local bus service and Commuter Express routes from M-59 and I-75. Commuter Express routes could take you from Pontiac to Mount Clemens, Utica, and Auburn Hills - and even to Detroit. The M-59 service would take residents from Pontiac to Troy, which could also connect residents to the Airport Express service.
Royal Oak
Royal Oak is a major player in the public transit proposal, with several transportation options. Royal Oak would be connected to the Woodward Bus Rapid Transit rail, which would connect Detroit to Royal Oak, as well as to Birmingham and Pontiac. Royal Oak would also have Cross County Connector service through 12 Mile Road, and Airport Express access through Troy. Cross County Connector service would connect Royal Oak to Oak Park, Southfield, Ferndale, Detroit, Birmingham, Warren, and Roseville, as well as Farmington Hills and Novi.
Southfield
Southfield, an Oakland County business hub, would have several public transit options under a new proposed plan. The city would benefit from the Northville Local Bus service, which runs from Northville to Evergreen and Grand River. They would also be along the 12 Mile East and 9 Mile Cross County Commuter services, which could take residents all the way from Novi to Roseville. The closest Airport Express service would be in Troy.
Troy
Troy would serve as a central area for public transportation under the new proposed plan. Troy would serve as the Oakland County Airport Express service, which runs through Oakland County, and into Romulus.
The city would also benefit from the 15 Mile Commuter service, which would run near Somerset Collection, stretching from Novi to Macomb County. Troy would also be nearby the Woodward BRT service, which would take residents from Troy to Detroit, crossing through Royal Oak and Birmingham, and north into Pontiac. The Greenfield Cross County service would take residents into Oak Park, Southfield, Detroit and Dearborn. Other commuter routes from Troy would run to Ferndale, Hamtramck, Utica and Rochester Hills.
Macomb County
Full story: Breaking down RTA's proposal for Macomb County
Mt. Clemens
Mt. Clemens would become a transit hub for Macomb County under the RTA's plan. The city would get a little of everything, from Bus Rapid Transit along Gratiot Avenue to Detroit, to a rush-hour Commuter Express route along Hall Road and an Airport Express shuttle running to Detroit Metro Airport. The plan would also expand local bus service to Utica and along Groesbeck Avenue to Bel Air Shopping Center and into Detroit.
Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights would get two Cross-County Connector bus lines, one running east-west along 15 Mile Road from Jefferson Avenue all the way to Novi through Troy, and a second running north-south from 23 Mile Road down Van Dyke Avenue all the way to Detroit. The plan also calls for a Commuter Express line along Hall Road and an airport shuttle that would pick up at Hayes and Hall Road.
Warren
Warren sits at the crossroads of two proposed Cross-County Connector bus lines. One runs north-south along Van Dyke up to 23 Mile Road and down to Detroit. The second line would run along 12 Mile Road from St. Clair Shores to the east ending in Southfield to the west. The route runs through Royal Oak. Warren residents could ride Rapid Bus Transit lines along Gratiot or Woodward avenues.
Washtenaw County
Full story: How RTA's transit plan links Ann Arbor to Detroit
Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti will benefit greatly from the major travel hub that is Ann Arbor. In the proposal public transit plan, Ypsilanti would have a local bus route, the Ypsilanti Connector, as well as a stop on the Bus Rapid Transit route. Commuters could get from Ypsilanti to Detroit by taking the regional rail directly to the city. Ypsilanti residents could also get to the airport by taking the Airport Express from Ann Arbor. Residents could get to Dearborn using the Regional Rail service from the Ypsilanti Rail Feeder.