Beginning next spring, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan, plans for airport shuttle bus service to and from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, as well as the city of Detroit, to be launched. According to the Detroit Free Press, the program is expected to be similar to one in operation in Ann Arbor.. The program in Ann Arbor launched in 2012 with 58,000 passenger bus trips in the first year, and last year that number rose to 71,000. This was launched by the current CEO of RTA, Michael Ford.
It's still unknown how much the bus rides would cost on the RTA Shuttle, but the Ann Arbor AirRide service chargers people $12 per trip. The service makes 13 stops per day and stops at both the McNamara and North terminals of the Metro Airport. The new service is expected to run similarly to this and have around the same prices. The cost to operate the service is also unknown. The CEO, Michael Ford, said that it could cost anywhere between $5 million and $10 million per year. No money has been set aside yet, but Ford says that funding grants are possible, and that eventually fares would pay for it. The buses have been designed to have 42 seats, WiFi connectivity, luggage racks, as well as being able to accommodate wheelchairs.The new buses would be well equipped for the modern traveler in terms of comfort, practicality, and technology.
Bus tops would be limited to one or two locations in each area to allow for a faster trip — a key problem with current bus service to the Detroit Metro Airport. Ford said the agency will be "strategic" in how it selects the stops, focusing on places with high population density and parking.
If you have been injured on a city bus, school bus, or any other type of bus or shuttle, contact an lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our accident lawyers handle all types of personal injury cases, including those who were injured on public transportation buses. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation..