SMART, Sounding Board

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)

Transportation

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
5:00 p.m. EST

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A monthly forum to hear public comment from riders and stakeholders.

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Live reporting by Ashley Williams

SMART updated bus routes and schedules, and will be relaunching the Adopt-A-Stop program. Employees responded to community members’ concerns about riders with disabilities and bus delays.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue

I am covering today’s @smart_movesus Sounding Board meeting for #DETdocumenters @ 5PM. Follow for LIVE updates! @DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

12:54 PM Jan 8, 2025 CST

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 2/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit ‼️ IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage tonight is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 3/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Information for tonight's meeting can be found here👇 smartbus.org/About/News/sou…

smartbus.org/About/News/sou…

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 4/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit The meeting is starting (and is being recorded)!

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 5/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Paul Johnson, community ombudsman, is kicking off the session by going over the rules for public comment. This session is also being streamed on Facebook.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 6/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit All internal team members have been introduced, and with only 16 people on the call, public comment is off to a slow start.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 7/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC1: Rider since 2022, rider with a disability. Working with SMART on an incident when other riders were accusing her of not having a disabilty. Are there cameras on the bus that alert anyone when unsafe situations may arise?

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 8/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Response from DeShalon Brownlee: Yes, there are approx 15 cameras on the bus, but they are only recording, not able to be accessed at any time. The cameras do not support a live feed.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 9/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC2: Kudos to the team about the new stop in Corktown announced on Jan 6th. Wish there could be one in Dearborn between Greenfield and Evergreen.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 10/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC3: Hearing progress about the Adopt a Stop program, what is the status about getting the program back up and running?

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 11/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Response from Corey Rowe: Didn't have a dedicated staff person on that program, but Rowe will be taking over. The program will be coming back now that there is a staff person.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 12/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC4: Reiterate past comments made at a Sounding Board meeting. Wants to make sure customer facing data is accurate. Dissatisfaction with the way drivers are handling schedules. Complained and was told they can leave up to 10 minutes late.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 13/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Response from Brownlee: That is not the rule. They only have to report it if they are 10 or more minutes behind.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 14/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC4 cont.: Concerned about it being a common occurence. Has had to wait outside in the cold more than once for more than 10 minutes each. Submits complaints when it happens.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 15/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC5: Question for Bernard, new legistators/shift in power, most of funding comes from state, advocates will be pushing for more funding. Anything to advocate for? What conversations are we having with legislators?

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 16/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Response from Johnson: Actively reaching out to new legistlators to educate and form relationships. Not much more to do past that.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 17/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC6: Is SMART open to training on different disabilities? Carries a medical card, but have been asked by riders and even a driver once. Worried about being seen as an aggressive rider, when that's not the case.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 18/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit Response from Sean Stayskal and Brownlee: Contact head of the ADA division to work with her on those trainings.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 19/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit PC7: With the @detautoshow coming up, there should be more in the press advertising the buses/fast buses.

Ashley Williams @williams_ashsue 20/20

@smart_movesus @DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit @detautoshow Quick meeting! The meeting has been adjourned at 5:26 PM. For more, visit . detroit.documenters.org

detroit.documenters.org

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Agency Information

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART)

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Serving since 1967, SMART is Southeast Michigan’s only regional public transportation provider, offering convenient, reliable and safe transportation for Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. SMART’s Fixed-Route and small bus services connect people to employment and educational institutions. SMART is supported by federal and state funding, local contributions through a transit property tax millage from opt-in communities and bus fares.