Advance 2021

A community vision for the future of transit in Southeast Michigan
 

The RTA is working in partnership with the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA), the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Detroit Transportation Corp. (DTC)/The People Mover, M1 Rail/QLine and Suburban Mobility Regional Transportation Authority (SMART) on updating the 20-year Regional Master Transit Plan in 2021. The plan will include transit and mobility advancements in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

The Advance 2021 initiative calls for public engagement to help shape the future of mass transit in Southeast Michigan for the next five, 10 and 20 years. The initiative will result in an updated Regional Master Transit Plan that will incorporate an overall vision for our transit system, including new services and technologies, to create a transit network that adapts with changing times.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role our transit system plays in keeping Southeast Michigan moving. Our transit operators have been on the front lines safely transporting essential employees to and from work; these are the medical and service industry workers we have relied on for everyday needs throughout the pandemic. As Southeast Michigan moves toward recovery from COVID-19 and its economic impacts, it is our collective responsibility to plan and build a more comprehensive and connected transit network that lifts and serves all people in our region for generations to come. The RTA envisions a region with sufficient and stable funding to support improved public transit options that will advance equity by increasing accessibility, satisfy the integrated mobility needs of Southeast Michigan communities and promote livable, healthy and sustainable growth.

We need a comprehensive plan to realize that vision.

Share your thoughts with us! There are many ways to engage: 

• Attend a virtual open house

• Take the survey 

• Email: Advance2021@publicinput.com

• Phone: 512-580-8850 ext. 2673 

• Text RTA to 73224 

Join the Conversation!

The RTA is hosting a series of virtual open houses and participating in community listening sessions as a key part of the effort to update the Regional Master Transit Plan (RMTP) over the next five years and beyond.

Specifically, the RTA has planned at least two open houses in each county (Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, and Macomb) as well as the city of Detroit through September 2021. The RTA is sponsoring and hosting these open houses.

In addition, RTA is joining listening sessions sponsored and hosted by individual groups. These conversations are smaller and more targeted to specific groups such as the faith-based community, seniors, businesses (large and small), unions, disability community members, etc.

The goal of the Advance 2021 conversations is to:

• Help the RTA hear from our customers, riders and residents about how they feel about our transit systems.

• Provide the public with an opportunity to share their view on how the RTA can improve.

• Learn from the residents of Southeast Michigan what they would like to see as it relates to regional transit and the RTA moving forward.

YOU’RE INVITED: See the schedule of virtual open houses.

Interested in hosting a Community Listening Session? Contact us today!