Wayne County voters could expand transit during 2026 midterms

The new facility, which is situated at Woodward and Eight Mile, will serve as the city’s mainstay for public transportation as it works to expand its bus network and strengthen relationships between the city and the surrounding communities in Southeast Michigan. Jason Hargrove, a former bus driver who passed away after contracting COVID-19, is also honored.

• • 
    Wayne County is moving forward with expanding public transit after the governor signed a bill that ended opt-outs for the 17 communities that currently don’t pay into the system
    
  • 
    Officials will engage all 43 Wayne County cities and townships to best assess their needs. A vote to expand transit would ideally come in 2026
    
  • 
    The expanded access could service seniors to their doctor’s appointment or getting students to class and people to their work
    

• 
  Wayne County is moving forward with expanding public transit after the governor signed a bill that ended opt-outs for the 17 communities that currently don’t pay into the system
  
• 
  Officials will engage all 43 Wayne County cities and townships to best assess their needs. A vote to expand transit would ideally come in 2026
  
• 
  The expanded access could service seniors to their doctor’s appointment or getting students to class and people to their work
  

(FOX 2):Officials are establishing the foundation for transportation expansion in Lansing, which is scheduled to occur over the course of the next two years.

In 2026, if all goes as planned, Wayne County voters will cast ballots for a millage that would formally extend the reach of public transportation to all local inhabitants.

“The law would only change if the voters decide that’s what they want,” Assad Turfe, the deputy county executive, stated. “This bill is just to give the power to the people.”

Overview:

During the 2026 midterm elections, Wayne County officials and transit activists intend to show voters the county’s transit millage. All 43 municipalities would have access to SMART’s bus network if it were approved.

At the moment, 17 villages do not contribute to the system. Since there are no buses that pass through Canton Township or Livonia, a person without a car has no way to go to Detroit.

To engage locals and find out what needs they may have, officials and advocacy organizations like Transit Riders United will visit with each town throughout the course of the upcoming year.

Megan Owens, executive director of TRU, stated, “I believe it will be a two-way conversation.” “Help residents understand what’s possible.”

Local viewpoint:

Are there many elderly people in a community who want to retire there? Or do many young people require assistance traveling to work because they do not own a car?

“We’re getting to know the local needs and then discussing how transit could help address local community needs, whether it’s for seniors or students or employers or if it is people with disabilities or recreation,” said Owens.

According to Wayne County’s Assad Turfe, there is a “generational group of individuals” who do not now own a car and do not want to do so. He claimed that assisting that population would increase the area’s appeal as a place to relocate because they have costs and can be troublesome.

“Without a vehicle, they can’t get to work or school or get to their health care appointment,” he stated.

The conversation will include not only locals but also state legislators, township supervisors, mayors, and business associations, according to Assad.

After Oakland County:

When Oakland County proposed expanding transit throughout the region to voters in 2022, it took similar actions.

Officials looked at the best ways to invest in transit after it was approved. Rural transportation companies that serve parts of Oakland County expanded the number of available routes in lower Oakland County during 2023 and 2024.

Though in reverse order, Wayne County is heading in the same path. Prior to presenting the idea to the public, the ideal locations for transit expansion are being investigated.

“It’s a little bit of an example to build from, but how can we help people understand what options can exist and what populations have the greatest needs, and then putting it together,” Owens said.

Officials will look at even more expansive transit options that might include all of Southeast Michigan once Wayne County is on board.

• This story was based on information from Transportation Riders United, Oakland County, and Wayne County.

This story was based on information from Transportation Riders United, Oakland County, and Wayne County.