The Solution for Detroit Lies in Mass Transit

Jaynes 1

Emily Jaynes

Professor Silva

English 1020

20 November 2008

The Solution for Detroit Lies in Mass Transit

Most major cities around the United States have effective, frequently utilized modes of public transportation, usually in the form of subways or trains. New York City has its subway system, Boston has the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA, or just T), and Chicago has its elevated train line known as the L. Detroit, however, never developed such a system of public transit, largely because Detroit has long been the world capital of automobile production since the invention of the car. As such, the people of Detroit are immersed in an automotive society where it is only appropriate to buy personal vehicles. But there are thousands of citizens unable to afford their own automobiles that still deserve to be able to travel throughout the city without having to walk everywhere. There are countless benefits to public transportation, and by becoming an active member of Transportation Riders United (TRU), public transit in metro-

Detroit can become a reality.

Celeste Headlee, reporting for NPR news, explains that Detroit used to have one of the largest streetcar lines in the country. This system stopped running in the 1950s and Detroit has not had any effective means of mass transit since that time (Headlee). The Transportation Riders

United website lists a plethora of reasons why Detroit needs to invest in mass transit. First, transit would help reshape Detroit neighborhoods into “vibrant urban communities” by making Jaynes 2 them walkable, accessible, “24-hour neighborhoods” that appeal to young workers as well as older businesspeople and retirees (Transportation Riders United). TRU also cites the positive impact public transportation has had on Dallas, Texas, another heavily automotive city, since they began building mass transit in 1996. Over three million dollars were invested by private developers to build stations across the train line, property values along the line increased by upwards of fifty percent, stores near stations experienced a thirty three percent increase in sales in one year, and over 30,000 jobs were created with the development of the system

(Transportation Riders United). It is undeniable that Detroit could benefit tremendously from these kinds of results.

Furthermore, public transit promotes a cleaner and healthier environment. Transit trains produce “half as much global-warming inducing carbon dioxide per mile compared to automobile use” (Transportation Riders United). Public transportation would reduce our reliance on cars and as such fatal car accidents, traffic congestion and air pollution from motor vehicles would decrease significantly. Twenty five percent of the population is unable to drive whether due to their age or physical capabilities, but transit would allow them increased mobility as well as decreasing their dependence on others. Farmlands could be preserved with improved public transit because train lines would encourage urban, inner-city development, rather than suburban expansion that could impact the already dwindling farmlands. Finally, a more pedestrian- friendly Detroit would be created, encouraging physical activity through walking.

Considering the current state of the economy, the economic advantages of public transportation are highly important. Based on several studies, Transportation Riders United estimates that every dollar that is spent towards improving transit will bring approximately six dollars back into the economy. Beyond that, installing public train lines throughout the city Jaynes 3 would create thousands of desperately needed jobs. These new jobs would increase income in the area, and therefore increase income tax revenue for the government as well, which would help ease Michigan’s financial sufferings. After Dallas implemented its rail system, over 3.3 billion dollars was invested in redeveloping places in the city near train lines. Public transportation would bring people into the city for shopping and dining, which would increase store profits and stimulate Detroit’s overall economy. Property values for homes near rail stations would be boosted, like in Chicago where the value of homes situated near train lines increased by twenty percent, or Dallas where home values went up nearly forty percent. Lastly, transit saves commuters a lot of money on gas, and many of the tax dollars that might have gone to repair roads can be spared for other more important projects (Transportation Riders United).

The main aim of Transportation Riders United is to improve the transit systems in the

Metro-Detroit area. According to their website, their purposes include educating the public and the government about the necessity of reliable public transit, encourage discussion relating to public transit, improve transportation as well as discourage highway expansion (Transportation

Riders United). In the Metro Times’ recent “Best of Detroit 2008” poll, readers decided that mass transit was the “best idea to improve Detroit” (Metro Times Readers). This proves that there is already plenty of public interest in the issue, now it is necessary for these concerned citizens to take action. Transportation Riders United provides plenty of opportunities for society to get involved. Interested parties can join TRU and receive a quarterly newsletter detailing progress being made by the organization. Meetings are held frequently all across the metro area to discuss major transit topics. TRU also accepts donations and since they are a non-profit organization, these donations are often tax-deductible. Even by riding the bus instead of driving a car you are supporting public transportation. Jaynes 4

Improved mass transit could bring so many benefits to the city of Detroit and its environs, but in order to make this dream a reality, action must be taken. By joining and supporting

Transit Riders United, we can work to gain better systems of transportation in the city, which would help in turn to allow Detroit to reach its full potential as a prosperous American city. Jaynes 5

Works Cited

Headlee, Celeste. "Mass Transit May Return To Detroit." Day to Day. National Public Radio. 21

July 2008.

Metro Times Readers. "Community Chest - People's Poll." Metro Times 15 Oct. 2008.

Transportation Riders United. 2006. Transportation Riders United. 17 Nov. 2008