About DDOT
Transit Operations
The City of Detroit, through the Detroit Street Railways (D.S.R.), began operating public transportation services during the early 1920's. During this period, service consisted of street railway cars and eventually bus services. In 1937, to increase the flexibility of transit services within the City, bus service was substituted for streetcars. Eventually, streetcar service was phased out in 1956. On November 19, 1962, trolley coach operation was discontinued. However, on September 20, 1976, four newly restored trolley cars from Lisbon, Portugal returned to operate on Detroit's Washington Boulevard as a transportation attraction. In later years, more trolleys were added to the fleet, giving a total of nine trolley cars. The downtown trolley service along with the trolleys were retired in 2003.
Today, under the restructured 1974 Detroit city charter, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), is the major bus transit carrier is Southeastern Michigan as well as the largest transit carrier in the entire State of Michigan. DDOT is responsible for operating transportation equipment (including scheduling of service, performing necessary maintenance and repairs to buses and service vehicles), and maintaining, repairing and replacing all DDOT properties, including buildings, structures, systems and bus shelters.
System Overview
Bus Transit
The Department of Transportation's active fleet consists of 472 full-size and small buses including 25 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) Rubber Wheeled Trolleys. During fiscal year 2002, DDOT's annual passenger count totaled 39,769,169 and the annual passenger miles covered were 176,859,829. DDOT serves the City of Detroit and over 20 suburban communities along 52 fixed-route bus lines. DDOT carries approximately 80 percent of the region's bus passengers.
MetroLift
On January 25, 1997, Detroit Metro Lift ADA Complementary Paratransit Service was introduced. Metro Lift serves all trip purposes, origins and destinations for ADA certified passengers in the DDOT service area and within 3/4 mile of an operating fixed route. As of April 2003, Detroit Metro Lift operates 47 lift equipped paratransit vehicles and provides service to more than 650 passengers per day providing over 900 trips per day.
More information about MetroLift >>
