The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is continuing to broaden bus service, putting it on a path to one day match other major cities in urban transit.
Mayor Mike Duggan (D) on Thursday announced what he calls the largest expansion of bus service in the city in at least 20 years.
The phased-in expansion, to be done by January, is expected to add approximately 1,500 trips per week for customers, significantly reducing the average waiting time for a bus, according to a press release. The first of two waves of the expanded service begins Saturday. At that time, DDOT will add the first three of six new 24-hour routes, spanning the city. Three more will be added in January, for a total of 9 new, 24-hour routes.
In addition to the 24-hour service expansion, DDOT will be adding five new express routes to help customers connect to the city’s key job centers, helping to cut commute times each way by up to 30 minutes.
This month, DDOT also plans to begin a new Saturday-only nonstop roundtrip service to Detroit’s Eastern Market from every City Council District, DDOT announced.