New Bus Service Links Downtown Detroit And Troy

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) announced plans last week to add bus service on lines connecting Troy and Pontiac to downtown and midtown Detroit. The new routes announced also include direct service to Detroit Metropolitan Airport from downtown, according to SMART. There will be a new FAST route along Woodward, so SMART will stop offering the 475 Troy limited service. SMART says that 465 buses linking Troy to Auburn Hills will remain unchanged.

The plan fulfills part of the city’s promise in its pitch to land a second Amazon HQ. The pitch offers to improve bus service to several Detroit suburbs and the airport. SMART says that between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., FAST buses will make stops along Woodward and Gratiot routes every 15 minutes. On the Michigan route, they say buses will stop every 30 minutes.

The new service began Jan. 1, with lines activating on Woodward, Michigan and Gratiot routes. FAST's Michigan route will also link downtown Detroit with McNamara and North terminals at the airport. SMART says the ride from downtown to Detroit Metropolitan airport will take roughly an hour. The service is free through Jan. 15. Afterwards, FAST buses will cost $2 each way, and 25 cents for transfers.

Read full coverage of this story in the Crain’s Detroit Business.

Patch file photo.