Making Suburban Transit Work

In Metro Detroit, it's not enough to talk about transit plans. There are tons of ideas out there. It's about action.

I sat down with SMART General Manager and CEO Tiffany J. Gunter to dig into what it really takes to run a 2,000‑square‑mile suburban transit system that people can rely on.

We get into the essential stuff: on‑time performance, keeping buses maintained and in service, and why Tiffany started by "going back to basics" while also upgrading shelters, adding Wi‑Fi, and insisting on more dignity for riders.

We also also talk about the culture shift of running transit in a region dominated by the car, the 30% rise in ridership SMART is seeing, and how free student rides and better communication are building a new generation of riders who don't see the bus as "for someone else."

You'll hear how Oakland County's all‑in vote opened the door for SMART's first new routes since the 1990s, why microtransit in places like Pontiac and Dearborn is exploding, and what's at stake as Wayne County voters consider going all‑in this August.

Tiffany also explains why she rides the buses herself, why collaboration with DDOT and the Transit app matters, and where autonomous vehicles actually fit — as a last‑mile tool, not a silver bullet like many may think.

If you care about where Metro Detroit's economy and talent go next, this one's worth the ride.

As always, feedback welcome at dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail at 313-789-3211. 

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