DETROIT – 
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) was created three years ago to bring funding and greater coordination to southeast Michigan's troubled mass transit system.
In its first significant act Thursday it passed a new cooperative agreement to bring new dollars for SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) service restoration.
The 2011 SMART cuts forced rider Carlos Jones to make three transfers a trip.
"It takes me an extra 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to work," he said.
Currently, SMART runs into the city from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., leaving many riders no choice but to transfer to DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) buses.
The SMART bus stops every mile or so while the DDOT bus stops every few blocks, if it's not too crowded. Riders say DDOT is slower and less reliable.
"I'm put in a dilemma where I just have to call my job, like I did, and let them know that I'll be 15 minutes late," said Ellen Warrior.
The RTA has negotiated a 50/50 split of federal dollars between DDOT and SMART -- a slight increase for DDOT. In return DDOT is kicking in $.5 million a year in state funding; $2 million from SMART; and $1 million over three years from the RTA to expand smart service -- mostly likely along the Woodward Avenue and Gratiot Avenue lines.
"Everybody came together to make sure that we could start. I think this is really a catalyst for moving forward, to be honest with you," said Michael Ford, RTA CEO.
DDOT and SMART planners will work out the final details but it should result in a significant expansion in hours of operation.
"We want to be able to make some improvements and to be able to increase the level of service in this region. I think it's very, very important," said Ford.