• DDOT installing more than 200 new benches and 200 new shelters through 2027 
• Project now halfway completed with installation of final benches of 2026 
• Investment highlights DDOT’s commitment to expanded service and customer experience 

Detroit residents who rely on the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) for years have asked for more benches and shelters at high volume bus stops across the city. Today, Mayor Mary Sheffield and Executive Director of Transit Robert Cramer made it clear that help is on the way.

The city recently completed installation of more than 100 new bus stop shelters across the city with another 100 planned for next year. Today crews installed the last of nearly 80 new bus stop benches along City streets, with another 120 planned for later this fall and into 2027.  

This brings to more than 400 the number of bus stops that are receiving either new or upgraded shelters or added benches.  

"DDOT has been undertaking major improvements to keep more buses on the road and improve service with the addition of 49 new buses and funding in place for the purchase of another 80, as well as the opening of a new $165 million Coolidge Terminal,” said Mayor Sheffield. “While buses are arriving in a timelier manner, it is a major priority to make this customer-focused investment at hundreds of bus stops across the city to help improve the experience of waiting for your bus to arrive.” 

Mayor Mary Sheffield smiles as transit advocate Michael Cunningham speaks about how the addition of more benches and shelters at DDOT bus stops have improved his rider experience and that of other bus riders.  

Shelters are being funded with a combination of Federal and State Grants and City GF funds, while the 200 benches are paid for entirely through the city’s general fund. The benches and shelter being installed fall into the following categories:  

• "AD Shelter Project" - this is the nearly complete project to place 110 shelters that each includes an advertising panel as part of a partnership with Brooklyn Outdoor; the City pays for the shelter, site design, and concrete - then BKO installs, sells advertising, and cleans/repairs/ maintains the bus stops.    
• "100 Shelter Project" - this is the next wave of shelters.  We have the site approvals for this project, and the next public step will be awarding a contract to purchase the shelters, likely late fall.  The City already has installation and concrete installation contracts in place. 
• "Bench Project" - this project is to add 200 benches at bus stops that score high in DDOT’s evaluation process but lack the space for a full shelter buildout and are locations that have not had any shelter or official DDOT bench in the past.  Installation is now complete with the 80 locations that are along City-owned roads. The City has approval for locations on MDOT roads that will be completed and installed in the next two months. Additional benches along Wayne County Roads in Detroit are expected to take place in 2027, and the program may be expanded beyond the initial 200 sites as funding allows. 

“With over 5,000 DDOT stops in and around the City, every additional shelter or bench makes a difference many Detroiters experience every day,” said Robert Cramer.  “Efforts to improve the appearance and amenities of bus stops along corridors throughout the City benefit current and perspective transit customers and positively impacts businesses and neighborhoods.”

Several of the new shelters were installed along E. Jefferson as part of a pilot project to install 21 elevated bus boarding platforms along that corridor aimed at enhancing safety, efficiency, and the overall rider experience. The platforms, placed at high volume bus stops, allow passengers to board and de-board more quickly and safely, improving both travel times and safety for riders, as well as reduce time needed for buses to pull in and out of traffic.

All this work supports DDOT Reimagined, the agency’s long-term vision for a better public transit system, focused on comfort, safety, accessibility, and speed. Enhancements like new benches and shelters are prioritized based on ridership, sidewalk space, and coordination with other city improvement efforts.

DDOT’s goal is for 75% of passenger boardings to occur at sheltered stops as funding permits, with continued improvements being rolled out citywide.

Transit advocates who have lobbied for years for added shelters and benches expressed their gratitude to the City and DDOT for answering their request.

Advertisement shelters installed (107)

Advertisement shelters pending (3)

Standard Shelters  pending (100)

       Total Shelters:  210

New Benches  installed (76)

New Benches  pending (124)

       Total Benches:  200 

Click here to watch the press conference.