Robust Transit System, Prop 1 ‘Yes’ Vote Critical to Commerce
March 2, 2015Addressing the current transit problems in metro Detroit, Michael Ford, CEO of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, discussed the challenges and successes of his agency in making the case to multiple audiences – businesses, individual citizens and lawmakers – for the need for a robust regional transit system and its critical role in connecting the region.
Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United (TRU), stressed the need for transit to be inclusive of all people, a theme that resonated throughout the Detroit Policy Conference in various sessions. Former Royal Oak mayor, and current partner at Plunkett Cooney, Dennis Cowan, highlighted the importance of businesses recognizing that transit is critical to a thriving workforce. The panel highlighted May 5 as an important deadline – when citizens will vote to fix Michigan’s roads and bridges via Proposal 1.