News

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 drive.

Southeast Michigan knows that transit riders power our lives. I witnessed that firsthand on the QLINE, where families headed downtown to shop, workers commuted to their jobs and patients traveled to appointments — knitting together our community.

Reflecting on a year of progress, I first say thank you to our state legislators and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for their historic investment in transit. In the larger transportation package, the state increased bus operating dollars, accounted for inflation and created a funding source for transformative projects.

This year also marked a continuation of regional collaboration. Detroit welcomed Robert Cramer as Executive Director of Transit, and Tiffany Gunter was promoted to CEO at SMART — two leaders who bring deep expertise and commitment to partnership. Their leadership, along with the longstanding collaboration of TheRide in Ann Arbor and smaller community providers throughout the counties we serve, is strengthening confidence in our system. Together, we are focused on the fundamentals riders care about most: reliability, convenience and coordination.

In November, the RTA partnered with DDOT, SMART, TheRide, MoGo and the Detroit People Mover to launch a unified digital transit experience, the Transit app. Riders can now plan trips, see real-time arrivals and purchase tickets in one place.

In 2025, the RTA awarded more than $11 million to operations for seniors and people with disabilities across our four-county region. This grant funding through our Mobility 4 All (M4A) program doesn’t just touch our cities, but also our townships and rural communities in northern and western Oakland and northern Macomb counties — places where, if you don’t drive, it’s tough to get around.

At the RTA, we’ve driven a national trend home by operating two express bus services with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and reclining seats. Our D2A2 service, connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor, and our Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) service, connecting downtown Detroit and DTW airport, saw 20% increases in ridership in 2025. Both services are still young and growing.

In its first full year under RTA ownership, the QLINE welcomed one million riders on board again this year. Public ownership opens the door to long-term improvements.

Each service provider has settled long-term issues. For decades, Detroiters expressed concerns about paratransit. This year, Detroit used M4A funds from the RTA to launch DDOT Now, an in-house, same-day paratransit service that has been an instant success.

SMART confronted its operator shortage head-on, signing a new union contract and recruiting more than 130 new hires, increasing service to riders across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Their efforts show what focused leadership and collaboration can accomplish.

TheRide is investing in the future of transit in Washtenaw County by engaging riders and residents in building a new Ypsilanti transit center that will be a critical hub for regional mobility.

If you haven’t taken transit in a while, get on board. Park and ride along Woodward, and hop on the QLINE or the People Mover for a date night downtown. Skip the parking hassle at the airport and save some money with DAX. Try a different commute using TheRide, D2A2, SMART or DDOT. When you do, you’ll enjoy the view of a region that’s moving in the right direction.

Ben Stupka is the executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.