The League supports a Detroit Metropolitan Area Regional Transit System.

• Includes all governmental units under a single transportation agency.
• Governmental units should not be able to opt out of this system.
•  Goals should be to:
• Provide transportation services.
• Revitalize the urban area.
• Reduce air pollution.
• Primary attention should be given to:
• Increasing mobility throughout the area.
• Helping the general population to get jobs.
• Reducing the use of the private automobile.

The League supports a Transportation Agency governed by an appointed board of 8 to 13 members.

• Term of office should be 3-4 years, overlapping, part-time and with minimal salaries.
• Board members should represent both population and governmental units.
• Appointments should be by a combination of agencies to include SEMCOG and the Governor.
• The Mayor of Detroit and the County Board of Commissioners could be included in the appointing combination of agencies.
• If there is an elected board:
• The election should be nonpartisan.
• Public officials or employees should not be restricted from holding office, but each  potential appointee should be carefully evaluated for possible conflict of interest.
• Board members whether elected or appointed, should not be for an indefinite number of years.

 The League supports a minimum level of service provided to all.

• This should include:
• Urban and outlying areas.
• The elderly.
• The handicapped.
• The greatest level of service should go to heavily populated areas.  Job locations should be considered in establishing transportation routes.
• 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.
• Curb-to-curb and door-to-door should be available such as paratransit**  types of  services.
• Park-and-ride type services should be available to avoid single occupancy vehicles.
• There should be selected fare reductions for the handicapped, elderly, the young and students.

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

•  Vehicle-related taxes and taxes from other sources, such as general revenue and sales taxes should be included.
• 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.
• There should be coordination among various types of special and linehaul* transportation services.

 The League supports statewide general purpose transportation fund.

•  Allocation from the fund should be determined by need.
• State Department of Transportation should give equal attention to all modes of     transportation. 
• 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’