We Create the Future of Transit
Our mission is to create new and better ways to move and connect people in Southeast Michigan. The Regional Transit Master Plan (RTMP) is a vital guide for the agency, providing a realistic roadmap and unified vision for transit progress in Southeast Michigan. The RTA releases annual updates to the RTMP to build its strategic agenda and coordinate long-range planning activities.
Community Conversations
Get on Board! The RTMP is a community effort comprised of several stages of robust feedback and input. The RTMP draws on independently gathered and community-sourced data, public questionnaires and feedback, and input from the RTA’s advisory committees, transit providers, communities in the region, and riders and residents. We always release a draft master plan before finalizing to allow room for feedback.
You can help the RTA improve regional transit by signing up for the Transit Talk newsletter, following us on social media (@rtamichigan), attending public meetings, or applying to join RTA’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). Most importantly, you can support the RTA by riding public transit and talking to your friends, families, and colleagues about how important transit is to you and to the region.
رؤيتنا
We envision Southeast Michigan with sufficient, stable funding to improve public transit options. This will advance equity by increasing accessibility; satisfy the integrated mobility needs of Southeast Michigan communities; and promote livable, healthy, and sustainable growth.
- Increase Frequency, Reliability, and Hours on Fixed-Route Services: Develop a core network of transit routes with frequencies of at least every 15 to 30 minutes for 18 hours every day of the week and increase the number of 24-hour bus and rail routes. Implement improvements that increase reliability and on-time performance, such as dedicated lanes, traffic queue jumps, streamlined boarding, and transit signal priority (TSP).
- Build On and Coordinate Demand-Response Services: Improve mobility for people who rely on demand-response transit services by
offering same-day services, increasing hours of operation, expanding eligibility
to more people, and streamlining transfers between services. - Grow Mobility Access to Local Communities & Regional Destinations: Ensure transit service that is tailored to local needs is available in every community in Southeast Michigan. This can include demand response and microtransit services in lower-density areas, new or extended fixed-route services in higher-density areas, and express services that serve major regional destinations and provide access to other regions.
- Invest In and Implement a Rapid Transit Network: Plan, design, fund, and operationalize rapid transit services along regionally significant corridors that support TOD, and work with local communities to develop mobility-oriented development (MOD) plans that encourage equitable economic growth.
- Advance Accessibility, Comfort, and Well-being at Transit Stops: Ensure transit stops meet ADA standards and have amenities and security features to help all riders feel healthy and comfortable waiting for their vehicle. This can include improving sidewalks and curb ramps and providing seating, shelters, lighting, real-time signage, and greenscaping.
- Upgrade Multimodal Connections To and Between Services: Increase access to and from public transit by improving pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure at and near transit stops, promoting complete street designs, enhancing park-and-ride services, and increasing the availability of microtransit and micromobility options.
- Regionalize Trip Planning and Fare Payment Services: Implement a regional multimodal fare collection system that simplifies payment and transfers between services and modes, and streamlines fare policies across providers, creating a seamless navigation experience. Deploy a trip planning platform that helps riders plan and schedule trips, and that is integrated with the regional fare system.
- Modernize and Maintain Infrastructure in a State of Good Repair: Maintain transit infrastructure, including buses and trains, passenger and maintenance facilities, and service vehicles, in a state of good repair to ensure continuous and safe operations. When replacing infrastructure, integrate innovative technologies and best practices that improve operational efficacy and environmental impacts.
- Enhance Ride Quality and Promote On-Board Safety: Enhance the rider experience by addressing real and perceived safety and cleanliness concerns through marketing campaigns, staff training upgraded onboard technologies, and a transit ambassadors’ program that is focused on customer service, community outreach, rider support, and a sense of security.
- Recruit, Develop, and Retain a Thriving Workforce: Engage, support, and sustain a diverse and talented workforce to continue reliable operations of current service and the ability to expand services in the future. Ensuring competitive compensation and benefits packages, providing training on new technologies and career advancement, and updating recruitment practices will attract new employees while helping current employees grow and thrive.
Southeast Michigan On The Move
RTA, our partners, and the Southeast Michigan community are working together to accomplish goals set in the Regional Transit Master Plan. Some of our region’s recent accomplishments include:
- Increased driver recruitment with campaigns and additional funding.
- Created a single payment method for SMART and DDOT service.
- Launched the MyRide2 trip navigation service.
- Developed new services including D2A2 (Detroit to Ann Arbor) and Detroit Air Xpress.
Economic Success
The RTA is positioning Southeast Michigan for economic success through critical transit groundwork. The bedrock of our success tomorrow depends on increased funding and aligned regional policy today. With these resources, together we can:
- Improve existing services
- Expand transit coverage
- Innovate resilient transportation options
- Attract jobs
- Lower living costs
RTMP History
The original RTMP, approved August 2016, was a 20-year plan with a $4.6 billion recommended investment. The ballot proposal was narrowly defeated. The RTA has continued to draft RTMPs based on evolving input and trends. An outpouring of feedback between May and September 2021 included 4,370 people in virtual open houses, targeted listening sessions, and online surveys. After ADVANCE 2021, RTA completed a strategic analysis of major regional transit corridors and their competitiveness for FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program in 2022.
In 2023, RTA simplified its goals and reevaluated the RTMP following the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 priorities from 2023 remain unchanged.
Arabic 
English 
Spanish 
Chinese