140 Southshore

Still managed to cancel the extended Tunnel Bus service that was planned yesterday for the Lions playoff game, while literally every other transit system across the river extended their services.

Here's #4005 wearing the wrap on the 125 on December 29, 2023:

The following SMART service expansions have been announced at today's TRU Transit Talk in Dearborn (effective dates may change): January 2024: new services to New Baltimore and downtown Romulus (potential revivals of the 567 and 202 respectively?) April 2024: introduction of route 492 and reroute and extension of route 790 Summer 2024: introduction of route 759

September 11 service changes have officially been announced. 261 FAST Michigan: new stops added at Merriman/Van Born and at Michigan/Beech-Daly 280 Western Wayne Crosstown: time adjustments on all days, and headways changed from 60 to 75 minutes on weekends 305 Grand River: extended to Wixom, rerouted to use Grand River between Telegraph and 7 Mile 450 Woodward Local-Pontiac: new stop added at Woodward/Long Lake 462 FAST Woodward-Auburn Hills: new stop added at Woodward/Long Lake 525 Groesbeck: rerouted to use Gratiot instead of Beaconsfield between Masonic and 14 Mile 740 12 Mile: extended to Wixom on all days except Sunday 805 Grand River Park & Ride: extended to the Beck/12 Mile MDOT park & ride lot via Grand River, Novi Road, and 12 Mile This will be the first time SMART has served Novi and Bloomfield Hills since 1995, and the first time ever SMART has served Wixom.

Just announced during the BoD meeting -- Novi expansion and new Bloomfield Hills stops begin service on September 11. 68 new bus stops total will be added in Bloomfield Hills, Novi and Wixom.

7240 was spotted heading east on I-69 east of Lansing, Michigan a few minutes ago. (not my photo)

The original photographer has requested me to delete the following: https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/File:Detroit_Department_of_Transportation_2301-a.jpg https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/File:Detroit_Department_of_Transportation_2308-a.jpg https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/File:Detroit_Department_of_Transportation_2101e-a.jpg https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/File:Suburban_Mobility_Authority_for_Regional_Transportation_3831-a.jpg https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/File:Suburban_Mobility_Authority_for_Regional_Transportation_3727-b.jpg

Actually this is not true, as there are still a handful of Gilbert D40LFs in service. 1001 and 1011 did see service this month, but I think they might be retired now.

DDOT operator Donovan Rogers confirmed the existence of those two units when he and I were discussing the latest round of '22s in a Discord server.

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Detroit_Department_of_Transportation_2200-2227 should be renamed to Detroit Department of Transportation 2200-2239 to reflect the silent addition of 12 new buses to that order.

12 new XD40s have been silently delivered and most have entered service today. Fleet numbers are 2228-2237. It's being reported by WXYZ 7 Action News and CBS News Detroit, though those articles sound like these 10 buses were coming later.

Great catch!

SMART could see its biggest expansion in decades as Oakland County voters have approved a countywide millage for the first time. Millage renewals also passed in Macomb County and in opt-in Wayne County suburbs. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/09/oakland-county-regional-transit-millage/69627039007/

The Tunnel Bus may resume service as soon as next month. https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/windsor-detroit-tunnel-bus-service-expected-to-resume-if-border-restrictions-lift-1.6077532

Ahead of a potential freight railroad strike, Amtrak has suspended service on all long-distance routes, and it's possible all routes outside the Northeast Corridor will be impacted. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/amtrak-cancels-all-long-distance-service-nationwide-over-looming-rail-strike/3865423/

The meeting is taking place right now and in addition to the proposed logo, they also proposed a new website URL (smartmovesus.org) and new liveries to go with it: In the end, however, the logo change has been dropped. Additionally, new TV ads have been completed and will hit the airwaves next week.

Page 18 of the book for this month's board of directors meeting reveals that SMART is proposing a logo change to the following: I personally think the current logo is fine as it is.

If the Tunnel Bus does get a number under these guidelines, hopefully it shouldn't be numbered 610, 615, 620, and 635, as these numbers are already in use by SMART routes across the river (and thus create conversations like "I'm gonna take the 615 to the 31 to the 615").

Looks like two Detroit People Mover stations were renamed after its recent reopening from a COVID-related closure: https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Detroit_Transportation_Corporation_Convention_Center_Station to Detroit Transportation Corporation Huntington Place Station https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Detroit_Transportation_Corporation_Joe_Louis_Arena_Station to Detroit Transportation Corporation West Riverfront Station

A judge in Oakland County has ruled that Auburn Hills must stay in SMART, throwing a wrench in the city's plans to opt out. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2022/05/18/auburn-hills-smart-bus-millage/9810236002/

Despite public opposition, Auburn Hills has officially resolved to opt out of SMART.

Auburn Hills may be opting out of SMART, replacing it with a seniors- and people-with-disabilities-only system, despite overwhelming approval for SMART among the city's residents, with 74% voting for renewal in 2018. An opt-out would also sever the Flint MTA connection that exists at Great Lakes Crossing. https://wdet.org/2022/02/18/auburn-hills-to-vote-on-whether-to-opt-out-of-smart/

The Tunnel Bus fare will double once it resumes service. https://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/news/tunnel-bus-fare-doubling-when-service-resumes-1.16570202

As of November 15th, DDOT has modified service due to driver shortages. The 11, 26 and 47 have been suspended, along with parts of the 38 and 43. Other routes are operating on reduced schedules.

4001 was one of several SMART artics that were in service today. Since last month, a few more SMART artics have gone into service, including 4016-4019, which can be seen on Macomb routes. Interior photos of these artics: