Lawmakers say transit focus is greater than ever

• The body hasn't held a formal meeting yet but Morgan tells Axios 36 legislators have signed on to join the transit caucus, including one Republican, Rep. Dave Prestin.

What they're saying: "Transit has been something we've been trying to work on for decades," Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) told Axios after the governor's State of the State address last week. "I've never seen so much focus on it."

• "There's a high amount of enthusiasm," freshman Dearborn Rep. Alabas Farhat tells Axios. "How can we make macro investments in transit as a state? I think it's a priority for the majority — we've talked about it, and now that we have the ability to influence change, we're finally doing something."

Catch up quick: Billionaire Dan Gilbert has talked about the region's need for improved transit as a way to bring new residents, while Mayor Mike Duggan's recent comments exploring the possibilities of a People Mover expansion surprised the transit community.

• The lack of public transit is often one of the biggest reasons young Michiganders say they have left the state.

Meanwhile, Transportation Riders United hosted its annual State of Transit event Tuesday night, where Morgan and others floated ideas about how to fund transit projects at the state level.