RTA News

By Ben Stupka, RTA Executive Director The theme of “A Quest for Common Ground” calls us to unite for this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference. “A Quest for Common Ground” recognizes the need for our region to work together toward a shared foundation and solution that generates greater prosperity for us all. It also asks the follow-up question: What do we agree on?  The answer is transit. A regionwide and representative survey conducted by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) in 2025 found 87%...

By Kristen Caffray, RTA One of the things I appreciate most about taking transit is the chance it gives you to read a book, catch up on messages, or simply look out the window. And what better time to look out the window than in April, during Earth Month, when everything is in bloom?  Transit connects so many neighborhoods to parks — in Detroit there's Palmer Park, Rouge Park, Belle Isle, the Riverwalk, to name a few, not to mention the dozens of smaller parks tucked between blocks. Especially this time of year, that bus window offers a front-row seat to one of the best shows in the city: spring in bloom.  For Earth Month, I...

This opinion piece was published in The Detroit News on Dec. 25, 2025. It expresses the views of Ben Stupka, Executive Director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, and not the opinions of The Detroit News. By Ben Stupka A recent ride aboard the QLINE streetcar reminded me that transit quietly brings southeast Michigan together. It connects people to work, events, and everyday moments that define life in our region. This year, the Regional Transit Authority asked residents what they think about transit. The response was overwhelming: 87% view improved regional transit as a major benefit, even as most...