Regional transit plan for Metro Detroit comes to screeching halt

Oakland, Macomb county reps oppose sending bus, rail proposal to voters

DETROIT – Voters may not be able to weigh in on the $4.6 billion public transportation plan as the board of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan couldn’t sway Macomb and Oakland counties to allow the proposal to be on November ballot.

Local 4's Shawn Ley reports the RTA board's decision brings a "screeching halt" to its plans to expand bus and rail service throughout southeastern Michigan. 

 

 

Each county in the plan must vote in favor of placing the proposal on the ballot. Representatives from Oakland and Macomb counties voted no.

This isn’t the plan that we were looking for,” Chuck Moss, Oakland representative said during a public meeting in Detroit. “This is not a regional transit plan; it’s a regional taxation plan. It’s a plan without transportation. No taxation without transportation.”

The board called an emergency meeting to be held in a week. If the issue isn’t resolved in a week, RTA says it will destroy the opportunity for the voters to vote on the proposal and that it will not make the ballot. 

 

Local 4's Shawn Ley reports the RTA board has a week to come up with a compromise to send its regional transit plan to voters: 

 

 

 

More on the RTA's plans: 

RTA Implemntation Timetable: 2017-2026

Breaking down RTA proposal for Macomb County

Interview with RTA leader Michael Ford

Proposed  transit system explained

How RTA plan affects certain communities

Fares are unknowns in RTA plan

RTA transit plan: How much will it cost you?

How RTA plan links Detroit to Ann Arbor