Detroit's mayoral candidates weigh in on improving transit
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Seven mayoral candidates during Wednesday's transit-focused election forum. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios
Candidates for mayor committed to boosting funding for public transit in a Wednesday-night forum hosted by nonprofit Transportation Riders United.
The big picture: Metro Detroit invests about a third of what many other metros spend on public transit, according to a recent report from the nonprofit, and bus options and reliability have long fallen short of need.
- Leaders have said improving transit is a priority, but significant change in the car-centric Motor City still feels far off for many riders and advocates.
Top issues at the forum included how to fund improved bus service, raising driver pay to improve quality of service, ensuring access for riders with disabilities, and keeping pedestrians and cyclists safe.
State of play: Advocates' top goal is to get the city to double its transit budget, which was $190 million in 2024, by 2030.
- The present candidates committed to increasing, and in some cases doubling, the department's funding. But it remains unclear where that money would come from, and what candidates' exact plans are.
Takeaways from each candidate who participated:
City Council member Fred Durhal III, on regionality: "What I envision for transit here in the city of Detroit is expansive regional transit and fast transit. Rail. Fast rail. And I don't have to wait for those conversations to start because I've already started talking to [local county executives] on how we come together in a collaborative effort and build on regional transit."
Businessman Jonathan Barlow, on getting state and federal funding: "I come from advocacy. So if you put me in office, not only do you have the strongest advocate to conduct regional or state relationships … I'm the only one, and you can check the records, who has rode the bus and can get to the White House."
Former police chief James Craig, on pedestrian safety: "We have to educate those who are pedestrians, we have to educate bicyclists, but the truth of the matter is, we have a lot of reckless driving. … It has to be a robust enforcement of all traffic laws … we have to educate, but we have to enforce as well."
Former City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, on creating a shift: "I will be the mayor that changes the culture around public transit in the city of Detroit. We have to stop treating public transit as if it's an afterthought that is only for people who cannot afford a car."
Businessman Joel Haashiim, on urban planning: "We need to redesign our city. We need to produce more one-way streets. That will cut down on pedestrians and bike riders being injured."
Attorney Todd Perkins, on improving the bus system: "We have to make this intentional, we have to make this a priority …. This is a human issue that is going to be required for the purposes of growing this community and making it effective and usable for all."
Return mayoral candidate and retired cosmetologist DaNetta Simpson, on funding: "We have been lacking funding in the city of Detroit. That's why we've been left out for so long. And with us being left out, it's time for us to rise and shine on all levels."
The other two candidates, City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr., didn't participate in the forum.
Go deeper: Watch the full forum