Suburban Mobility Authority For Regional Transportation history

On August 27, 1863 service began on Woodward Avenue, on September 12, 1863 service began on Gratiot Avenue and on November 25, 1863 service began on Michigan Avenue.

1892 – On August 22, 1892 the Detroit Citizens Street Railway succeeds the Detroit City Railway and begins to offer electric powered streetcar service along Jefferson Avenue.

1895 - Due to the improved power electric streetcar service expands into the suburbs.

The population of the tri-county region is 426,829 1901 – The DUR (Detroit United Railway) is formed by a Cleveland syndicate from six Detroit area interurban operations.

1919 – The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission prepares the first Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) recommending a multi-modal system.

1920 – Mayor James Couzens vetoes a bond issue to build a subway system and the override failed by one vote, keeping the city from developing a subway system.

1921 – On February 1, 1921 the city began operation of the Municipal Operation, or the “M.O.” with 2 lines totaling 13 miles.

1925 – The first buses start operating in the city.

1931 – The Grand Trunk Western Railroad begins commuter service between Detroit and Pontiac, making the trip in 45 minutes.

1934 – The DSR was operating 1,600 street cars on 19 routes.

1940 – The Population of Detroit is 1,623,452 and the land area remains at 139 square miles.

1945 – The DSR was operating with 908 street cars on 19 different routes.

1950 – The population of Detroit is 1,849, 568 and the land area remains at 139 square miles.

1951 – A major transit strike lasting 2 months severely damages ridership.

1958 – The Detroit Rapid Transit Commission publishes a plan that calls for a regional monorail system.

1960 – The population of Detroit drops to 1,670,144 and the land area remains at 139 square miles.

1964 – The DSR General Manager Lucas Miel proposed a merger of the DSR with a proposed tri-county transit agency, “Rapid Transit Authority.” The merger would allow the DSR to receive tax subsidies and expand its service into the suburbs.

Beginning operations in 1967 as the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA), it operates 44 linehaul and three park-and-ride bus routes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.

1970 – The population of Detroit drops to 1,514,063 and the land area remains at 139 square miles.

By 1974, the Detroit Department of Street Railways (DSR) had been reorganized as a city department of Detroit, leaving SEMTA only coordination over the suburban services.

1976 – President Gerald Ford offers the southeast Michigan $600 Million to build a rail transit system.

In 1979, SEMTA approved a regional transit plan, which included improved bus service and new rail transit, but the plan was never implemented due to lack of funds.

Due to declining ridership and a lack of funding, the commuter rail service was discontinued in October 1983.

1984 – SEMTA terminates the Detroit – Ann Arbor commuter service.

In 1985, with the half-built project in limbo, the city of Detroit negotiated with SEMTA to take over the project, and it was transferred to the newly created Detroit Transportation Corporation.

1987 – The “People Mover” downtown transit line was built at a cost of $67 Million per mile.

With little interest in the suburbs for expanding mass transit and Detroit not interested in joining the system, SEMTA was restructured as SMART in 1989, reducing the authorities service area from seven counties to three and excluding the city of Detroit.

Shortly after entering office in January of 1994, Detroit's new mayor, Dennis W. Archer, attempted to fulfill one of his campaign promises of merging the DDOT (city) and SMART (suburban) bus operations.

1995 – A local .33 property tax millage is placed on the ballot and successfully passes in all of Macomb County and portions of Wayne and Oakland to support operations of SMART.

1996 – SMART and DDOT establish a common regional bus pass but further attempts to merge services fail.

1997 – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) publishes a report recommending the restart of commuter rail service between Detroit and several regional communities at a capitol cost of $2 million per mile.

1998 – DDOT terminates its suburban service.

1999 – MDOT announces a plan to extend I-375 toward the river, eliminating downtown rail access.

2001 – SEMCOG adopts a Regional Transit Vision for the 7-county region.

2002 – SMART millage is increased from .33 mils to .59 mils and successfully passes in all three counties.

2003 – In November of 2003 a lawsuit was filed by AFSCME, Michigan Council 25, charging that the RTCC did not have the authority to enter into such an agreement.

2005 – SEMCOG announces that they will conduct a study to evaluate the opportunity to develop an Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter line that would include a stop at/by Metropolitan Airport, consolidating two previous studies.

2006 – In June of 2006 the RTCC hired a CEO (John Hertel) to direct the planning and development of a Mass Transit program in Southeastern Michigan.

2007 – A group of private business people and the Kresge Foundation form M1-Rail for the purpose of developing and operating a modern street car service on Woodward Avenue between Jefferson and Grand Boulevard as the first phase of a regional rapid transit system.

2008 – In December of 2008 the RTCC board (Mayor of Detroit, Wayne County Executive, Oakland County Executive and Chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners) approved a tri-county multi-modal Comprehensive Regional Transit Service Plan prepared by Detroit Regional Mass Transit.

On December 1, 2009, SMART raised its fares by $0.50.

2010 – The M1-Rail and DTOGS projects appear to merge into the Woodward Light Rail project.

In October 2011, the authority cut 22% of its service and laid off 123 employees due to declining property values which fund the system through its millage, and the inability of the authority to reach an agreement with its unions.

In December of 2012 Public Act 387 was passed by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Snyder forming the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for Southeastern Michigan.

During 2013 the Regional Transit Authority for Southeast Michigan formed a 10-member board of directors, a 50-member Citizens Advisory Council and a Transit Service Providers Advisory Committee with members from the four public transit service providers.

Wilsonville City Council unanimously approved and adopted the SMART 2017 Transit Master Plan.