(As amended at the League of Women Voters Detroit Metropolitan Area 28th Annual Convention, June 23, 2001)

Supports a Detroit Metropolitan Area Regional Transit System.

1. Includes all governmental units under a single transportation agency. Governmental units should not be able to opt out of this system.

  

2. Goals should be to:

a. Provide transportation services.

b. Revitalize the urban area.

c. Reduce air pollution.

d. Primary attention should be given to:

i. Increasing mobility throughout the area.

ii. Helping the general population to get jobs.

iii. Reducing the use of the private automobile.

 

3. Supports a Transportation Agency governed by an appointed board of 8 to 13 members.

a. Term of office should be 3-4 years, overlapping, part-time and with minimal salaries.

b. Board members should represent both population and governmental units.

c. Appointments should be by a combination of agencies to include SEMCOG and the Governor.

d. The Mayor of Detroit and the County Board of Commissioners could be included in the appointing combination of agencies.

 

4. If there is an elected board:

a. The election should be nonpartisan.

b. Public officials or employees should not be restricted from holding office, but each potential appointee should be carefully evaluated for possible conflict of interest.

 

5. Board members whether elected or appointed, should not serve for an indefinite number of years.

 

6. Supports a minimum level of service provided to all. This should include:

a. Urban and outlying areas.

b. Older people.

c. Persons with disabilities.

d. The greatest level of service should go to heavily populated areas. Job locations should be considered in establishing transportation routes.

e. There should be a mix of linehaul* and specialized bus service to outlying areas for those individuals who are dependent on public transportation for mobility.

f. Curb-to-curb and door-to-door should be available such as paratransit** types of services.

g. Park-and-ride type services should be available to avoid single occupancy vehicles.

h. There should be selected fare reductions for persons with disabilities, older people, the young and students.

 

7. Supports funding for public transportation from a combination of federal, state and local taxes that supports modes of public transportation.

a. Vehicle-related taxes and taxes from other sources, such as general revenue and sales taxes should be included.

b. Extra local demand-responsible transportation should be funded mainly by the community served. A mix of other funding sources may be more appropriate for most types of special service or to meet the needs of certain populations.

c. There should be coordination among various types of special and linehaul* transportation services.

 

8. Supports statewide general purpose transportation fund.

a. Allocation from the fund should be determined by need.

b. State Department of Transportation should give equal attention to all modes of transportation.

c. The director of the Department should have experience in all modes of transportation.

 

* linehaul = bus lines of straight routes ** paratransit = new terminology defining other than ‘linehaul’