PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Detroit and suburbs win federal funds for bus improvements

The city of Detroit and the tri-county Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) announced it would be receiving $30 million in federal grant money for improvements to bus routes in the city and surrounding suburbs. More specifically, the money will help buy additional buses, install security cameras and make other needed upgrades.

Local officials hope that improvements to public transportation will spur much-needed growth in the area. Success here could also mean future support for other regional transit projects such as the proposed M-1 streetcar system.

Both parties are expected to reveal how the money is to be distributed and when it will be available sometime this week.

At present, SMART operates 234 fixed route buses on 43 routes for a total of 11 million rides annually.