The mysterious RTA Michigan folks' meddling with SMART and DDOT can only be gleaned by little leaks of information, since nobody wants to openly talk -- especially to the current users of Metro Detroit's bus systems.
Latest dribbles come from this article describing how two busy corridors -- Woodward Av and Gratiot Av -- will receive "better" service through coordination/"cooperation" (purposeful quotes) between DDOT and SMART.
Now, the local Transit Utopianists will surely love this development. The service, branded as REFLEX, immediately made me associate it with the Duran Duran hit single of the same name from the 1980s.
Unintentionally, the RTA has fittingly named this new service, since the song is about masturbation. The Utopianists -- who don't use public transport actively, but like the feel-good vibes that come from their good ideas put into practice, irregardless of eventual outcomes -- have been riding the edge for years, and will finally be able to climax. HOWEVER, the real, regular users of both systems will see it for what it is: a nice diversion, but hardly something you can do all the time.
Additional information:
Woodward Av corridor is served in the suburbs every 15 minutes by SMART's 450/460 services (within the 7 mile "core" area), with branches to Somerset/Troy and Pontiac alternating into every 30 minutes weekdays. On Saturday, 20 minute headways serve the core, while branches get the odd treatment -- Pontiac every hour, Troy 20 minutes, then 40 minutes. Sundays move to 25 minute headways within the core, with straight 50 minute headways to the two branches. DDOT moves customers from the suburban line to Downtown every 10 minutes weekdays and Saturdays, and every 15 minutes Sundays.
Gratiot Av corridor suburban SMART service operates erratically, with 15 minute headways the norm weekdays, sometimes getting as low as 10-12. "Select trips" branching to New Baltimore occurs every hour -- something not addressed by REFLEX. Interestingly, over the past 20 years, population has actually moved north along Gratiot Av in the suburbs, yet neither SMART nor the RTA seem to pay it any mind (maybe since they don't actually use the service, eh?). Saturdays, 30 minute headways, with New Baltimore getting service still every 60. Sundays, a repeat of Saturday. DDOT, once again running from the sububran line to Downtown, operates 10-12 during Peak, 15 midday weekdays; every 15 minutes Saturdays; and 10-15 minute headways Sundays depending on daypart.
As the article states, DDOT will operate REFLEX on Woodward Av, and SMART on Gratiot Av. With REFLEX operating every 45 minutes (as a limited-stop service), nobody has said how Local service will be adapted:
--The entirety of both corridors are not receiving service, so it is not clear how Pontiac-area or northern Gratiot customers receive any benefit or if their Local service will be increased to match what will be available further south.
--DDOT customers within the City of Detroit could be left with less service along two highly used corridors. DDOT is currently running their new artics along both routes weekdays to deal with the crowding. If headways are cut, because of the overlay of REFLEX, these customers will certainly not be happy with sardine can buses.
--DDOT just reinstated 24 hour service along both corridors, and with DDOT operating REFLEX along Woodward Av, current SMART customers would be hoping for an expansion of that service to their areas. Doesn't sound like that idea is on the table, or has even been floated.
There are many additional questions to be answered, which is why I think these "wonderful ideas" aren't getting too much public exposure. As an example, when I attended an RTA public meeting earlier in the month (which was attended by VERY obvious NON-users of both systems -- hence my Transit Utopianist moniker), this REFLEX service was not even discussed or presented in their PowerPoint presentations or pass-outs. (But I got a cool reusable shopping bag with the RTA logo on it -- which elicited a hearty BOO from a DDOT bus operator later in the day when he noticed it.)
Once again, a prime example of people who have good ideas, but don't use the system, thinking they're doing great things. They'll probably ride for the first day photo-ops, then retreat back into their cars, clogging up the streets and freeways they seem so keen on clearing of congestion.
I guess Utopia is in the eye of the beholder. Or in the self gratification.