One App for Everything: RTA Simplifies Rider Experience Through National Partnership with Transit app

November 14, 2025

Transit Royale upgrade lets riders across Southeast Michigan book tickets, track rides, and receive scheduling assistance on demand in one app

Detroit – The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) today announced its new partnership with the Transit app, a significant step forward in enhancing the user experience for people utilizing the transit system in Southeast Michigan. By uniting the region’s transit providers under a single digital platform, RTA is delivering on its mission to improve the transit experience in Southeast Michigan.

RTA Executive Director Ben Skupka announces the launch of a partnership between the RTA and Transit app at the Jason Hargrove Transit Center in Detroit on Nov. 12, 2025.

“This partnership is about putting riders first and making public transit simpler, more reliable, and more connected across Southeast Michigan,” said Ben Stupka, Executive Director of the RTA. “We are pleased to launch this new resource that will benefit all of our providers and their riders. Whether you’re riding DDOT, SMART, TheRide QLINE or the People Mover, there is now one app to coordinate your rides.”

Transit is a public transit navigation app that you can use to plan and pay for trips connecting all major transit providers in Southeast Michigan. The app enables multi-modal trip planning, displays nearby departure times, shows riders transit schedules and directions. Transit can also send riders alerts when important changes impact their favorite lines, keeping them informed in real time.

Enhancing the Rider Experience

The partnership with Transit brings:

Service Alerts: Disruptions displayed in real-time.
Easy Ticketing: Riders can check and pay fares directly in the app.
On-Demand Connections: Integrated links to SMART Flex and TheRide’s FlexRide for flexible trip options.
Multi-Modal Travel: Access to bikes, scooters, and shared mobility alongside buses and rail.

RTA staff walk Southeast Michigan residents through using the Transit app at a press conference at the Jason Hargrove Transit Center on Nov. 12, 2025.

“Our mission has always been to help people get around without their own car,” said Sam Vermette, CEO of Transit. “Every month we help over 8 million people around the world navigate their cities by bus, train, bike, and more, and that wouldn’t be possible without our agency partners. We’re proud to be working hand-in-hand with the RTA and their partners to unlock the best app experience for their riders.”

As a benefit of the strategic partnership with Transit, the RTA will automatically upgrade riders throughout the region to the premium Royale subscription at no cost to riders. With free Royale, Transit users can view more trip options and plans, customize their profile and app, and receive the most up-to-date rider information at their fingertips. This upgraded feature is made possible by a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Through the partnership, riders who utilize DDOT, SMART, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority’s TheRide, the QLINE and the Detroit People Mover will enjoy unlimited departure schedules, advanced trip-planning tools, on-demand ride booking, fare payment integration, and access to real-time service alerts in a single, easy-to-use platform app. This improved system will be free for all residents of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Left to right: Allison Gray, Partnerships for Transit App; Jean Reustman, Administrator, Office of Passenger Transportation at Michigan Department of Transportation; Ben Skupka, Executive Director of the RTA of Southeast Michigan; Robert Cramer, Executive Director of Transit for the City of Detroit; Tiffany J. Gunter, SMART General Manager and CEO; and Dina Reed, Deputy CEO of Finance and Administration for the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority/TheRide

In addition to improved navigation, Transit Royale allows riders to receive communications directly from their agencies through the app, ensuring they receive timely updates on service changes, disruptions, and special events.

For more information, visit https://www.rtamichigan.org/transitapp.