The Detroit Department of Transportation is expanding – again. And the new routes should make travel somewhat easier for city residents.

Starting this Saturday, DDOT customers will see a series of service improvements that represent the final phase of a larger planned service expansion announced by Mayor Mike Duggan last summer.

Since September of last year, the Detroit Department of Transportation has implemented six new 24-hour routes, six brand new routes that help connect Detroit neighborhoods to major job centers and a series of other improvements that have added 1,300 additional weekly trips available to DDOT riders.

On April 22nd, DDOT will launch the 3rd and final phase of this major expansion and add another 200 weekly trips added to the DDOT schedule.

One major new improvement is the addition of the #42 Mid-City Loop route. This brand new route will allow continuous service to Highland Park, the North End, DMC, Wayne State University, New Center, Henry Ford Hospital and Virginia Park while also providing easy connections to other major routes.

Another change DDOT customers will see in April are major improvements to the existing route #49 Vernor which will extend to/from Michigan & Schaefer in Dearborn.

“This latest service expansion is another step forward for DDOT and its efforts to make sure our residents in every neighborhood have access to reliable transportation and opportunity,” said Mayor Duggan. “We still have work to do and will continue to expand service every chance we get.”

There are also minor adjustments to a number of routes providing improved schedule reliability, according to DDOT Director Dan Dirks.

“Some of these changes may seem small, but they directly impact a lot of people. Many of the changes we make are a result of direct input from our passengers,” Dirks said. “We have very passionate and vocal customers and they are helping to make our service better for the 600,000 passengers we carry each week.”

Since Mayor Duggan took office, DDOT has made significant progress, including:
• Meeting schedule for the first time in more than a decade
• First major service expansion in more than a decade
• Hiring more new bus drivers and mechanics
• Purchasing 80 new buses, with 20 more on order
• Establishing a full time transit police force
• Equipping all coached with interior and exterior cameras
• Implementing the DDOT Bus app and Bus Tracker website map to let riders know the real time location and expected arrival time of every DDOT bus

The following list details the April 2017 service changes:

9 – Chalmers
At the south end of the route, the first/last bus stop and timepoint changes to Jefferson & Maryland. A new bus stop is located on Jefferson just west of Maryland. Buses no longer serve the stop on Maryland. Trips and times are unchanged.

14 – Crosstown
On all days, times are adjusted by 2-5 minutes for improved schedule reliability. Service levels are unchanged.

16 – Dexter
Saturday Northbound times are adjusted by 3-5 minutes for improved schedule reliability. Service levels are unchanged.

19 – Fort
Weekday trips via Bassett are discontinued; 89 – Southwest Direct provides improved service on Bassett. All Weekday trips now travel between Downtown and Outer Dr.

Sunday schedule now features later evening service and a 55-minute frequency. A transferless transfer is available to 49 – Vernor on Sunday.

25 – Jefferson
At the east end of the route, the first/last bus stop and timepoint changes to Jefferson & Maryland. A new bus stop is located on Jefferson just west of Maryland. Buses no longer serve the stop on Maryland. Trips and times are unchanged.

34 – Gratiot
Weekday Northbound trip departing Third & Michigan at 8:00pm now travels via the Cass/Times Square side of Rosa Parks Transit Center.

42 – Mid-City Loop NEW ROUTE!
A new neighborhood route with service to Highland Park, the North End, DMC, Wayne State University, New Center, Henry Ford Hospital and Virginia Park. Buses travel a one-way in a clockwise loop via Manchester, Victor, Oakland, E Grand Bl, Beaubien, St Antoine, Canfield, Second, Warren, Anthony Wayne, W Grand Bl, Rosa Parks, Webb and Hamilton. Easy connections are available to many major routes.

Weekday service operates from 5:15am to 8:58pm, at a 30-minute frequency during peak and day times.

Saturday service operates from 7:15am to 6:58pm, at a 60-minute frequency during day times.

Sunday service operates from 8:15am to 5:58pm, at a 60-minute frequency during day times.

49 – Vernor MAJOR CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS!
Route now extends to/from Michigan & Schaefer in Dearborn. New service operates via Salina, Eagle, Miller, Oakman and Michigan.

Weekday peak-hour service north/east of Downtown is discontinued. The new 42 – Mid-City Looproute provides improved, all-day service to the DMC and North End areas.

In lower Corktown, eastbound service is removed from Howard. Buses now use Lafayette in both directions.

Weekday service now operates from 4:35am to 1:18am, at a 25-minute frequency during peak and day times.

Saturday service now operates from 4:59am to 1:43am, at a 25-minute frequency during day times.

Sunday service now operates from 6:03am to 12:15am, at a 55-minute frequency during day times. A transferless transfer is available to 19 – Fort on Sunday.

53 – Woodward
School-oriented “extra” trips are discontinued. Weekday afternoon service now operates at a consistent 8-minute frequency.

80 – Villages Direct
Route changes to serve McClellan between Jefferson and Kercheval. Service on Jefferson west of McClellan is discontinued until further notice.

Weekday Eastbound (afternoon/evening) times include minor adjustments (2-15 minutes); to accommodate a major shift time at Henry Ford Hospital, the last trip now departs W Grand Blvd & Trumbull at 7:47pm.

89 – Southwest Direct
Weekday Southbound (afternoon/evening) times include minor adjustments (3-10 minutes); to accommodate a major shift time at Henry Ford Hospital, an additional trip now departs W Grand Blvd & Trumbull at 7:45pm.

For more information please contact SuVon Treece at 313-670-1687.

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