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Transit group gives Detroit bus system a failing grade

Darren A. Nichols/ The Detroit News

Detroit — A Detroit-based transportation advocacy group has given the city's bus service a failing grade for service.

Transportation Riders United tracked bus routes for a five-day period last month at about five or six locations. The group says there was about a 50-50
chance of people getting their bus on time.

That's "no better than flipping a coin," group members say. And at one route -- along Woodward on Oct. 21 - buses didn't show up for seven out of 12 runs,
or about 58 percent of the time.

"That's a failing grade. That's an F," Ruth Johnson, an organizer and assistant director, told the Detroit City Council. "People can't get to work (or)
school on time."

The group, which used 20 volunteers to monitor buses from Oct. 17-21, recommends repairing buses, improving hiring practices and prioritizing on-time performance.
It also seeks more transparency for on-time service and working toward a long-term regional system.

"Ultimately, Detroit must seek a new and different way of providing transit to its citizens. Few other major cities run their own bus service as a city
department," a report the group released stated.

Added Executive Director Megan Owens: "Mechanics need to fix the buses, when the buses need to be fixed, not when it's most convenient for them."

Amy Hubbard, a city resident who lives in Corktown, said she gave up her car to ride city buses. She normally likes to ride buses, but the current crisis
makes it unbearable now.

"When buses don't show up, are overcrowded, or are driven by someone stressed out or upset, it isn't so much fun," Hubbard said.

The city bus crisis came a head Nov. 4 when about 100 drivers refused to cover routes because they were upset over a physical assault on a driver.

For months, riders have complained of being late for work, school, medical appointments or shopping because of tardy buses. The problem has become so bad
Bing in mid-October gave the transportation department's 173 mechanics 30 days to make repairs to buses or he will outsource the work.

dnichols at detnews.com