Detroit’s First Word: Industry Leaders on Expanding Wayne County Transit  

• The expansion of Wayne County transit starts with educating communities on its importance and learning what residents want to experience on public transit. 
• With increased local-based support and funding in ridership, the county can receive more federal government funding to support transit objectives.  
• Transit is the key to unlocking opportunities and creating a healthy environment for residents of the Detroit Region.  

View the full session recording below.

The first step toward a more educated community regarding transit is changing the conversation about public transportation and why it matters. In the last 12 months, Turfe said he has visited all 43 communities in Wayne County – starting with the opt-out communities – to address what residents want in a transit system.

SMART has found that it is extremely difficult to operate around opt-out counties, with Gunter referring to the concept as “swiss cheese.” However, with her help and the county’s overall support, SMART and the county have been able to excite residents and engage them in discussing how they can leverage public transportation to foster a healthy environment for residents to grow.

Decreasing the number of opt-out communities will provide opportunities for more ridership and allow the county to leverage more federal government funding for our transit system.

Gunter said that supporting these leaders’ plans to establish transit routes in every Wayne County community can help transit secure the funding needed to improve the rider experience for all, such as installing Wi-Fi on all buses by February 2026 and offering tap-to-board bus passes on smartphones.

“When we have that locally based funding, and it’s strong and it’s consistent across the board, then we go to the state – they match more dollars for us to provide more service,” said Gunter.

To further the progress SMART and Wayne County Executive’s Office have begun, campaigning for increased public transit will begin in early Spring 2026, and business leaders are encouraged to do their part. Educating versus advocating for the opportunities that can be unlocked with the expansion of the Detroit Region’s transit system.

Turfe explains that “it all starts with transit….Transit is the key to unlocking so many opportunities in this region.”

Shoaf concludes with a call-to-action, reminding leaders to take part in changing the conversation around public transit expansion, voting in August, and educating their peers.