• 53 new buses for DDOT now on the way with announcement of $50M federal grant
• Federal grants to purchase 76 new buses had previously been awarded to Detroit in the last two years, bringing the total purchase of new buses to 129. That equates to 44% of entire DDOT fleet being replaced from 2025 – 2027
• Ongoing problems with bus maintenance were also addressed in the last week when DDOT mechanics ratified a new contract with raising their top-end wages by $6 an hour to a wage competitive with the rest of the market
• Many of the new buses and mechanics will operate out of the new $160M state-of-the-art Coolidge Terminal which is nearing completion and will open by April 2026
• Driver hiring has picked up dramatically since the new contract with $5 an hour wage increases was approved earlier this month

Mayor Mike Duggan today joined with Detroit Department of Transportation leadership and employees, City Council members and transit advocates to deliver some long-awaited news: funding for a dramatically improved DDOT is now in place.

“What DDOT has needed is funding for a complete overhaul: new buses, new terminal, and much better pay for drivers and mechanics.  In just the last month, the last pieces fell into place with the help of Governor Whitmer and President Trump,” Mayor Duggan said. Standing inside the $160 million Coolidge Terminal, which will open this spring, the Mayor described how major federal and state funding announcements in the last few weeks have made the complete rebuild of DDOT possible: 

• 53 New Buses from Trump administration grant: The Federal Transit Authority announced Thursday Detroit had been awarded a $50 million FTA grant to purchase 53 new buses, one of its largest grants ever. Those buses will be in addition to 76 buses awarded over the last two year in Biden administration grants, bringing Detroit’s total new bus purchases to 129, or 44% of the entire fleet.
• DDOT mechanics, represented by AFSCME Local 312, last week ratified a new contract raising the top mechanic wage from $26 an hour to $34.50 an hour. DDOT mechanics will now be paid a wage competitive with the rest of the market, allowing DDOT to address the chronic backlog in bus repairs. Funding for the mechanics’ raises came from Governor Whitmer’s successful package of the state transportation package last month.
• DDOT drivers last month also received a $6 an hour pay increase as a result of the new state transportation packages. DDOT driver vacancies are rapidly being filled, including by many former drivers returning to DDOT because of the higher pay.  
• The new fleet will be housed in large part in the Coolidge Terminal, built on the site of old terminal that had been destroyed in a fire in 2011. It was funded largely through federal grants under the Biden administration.

“The complete rebuild of Detroit was a $250 million 5-year project,” Duggan said.  “But with last week’s announcements, DDOT’s future is the brightest it has been in decades.”

“This is a turning point for Detroit transit. By investing in new buses, a modern terminal, and fair wages for our drivers and mechanics, we are building a DDOT system that our city can depend on for decades to come,” said Mayor‑elect Mary Sheffield.

“This is a good day for DDOT riders, transit advocates and DDOT employees.” said AFSCME Local 312 President Muneer Islam. "The new mechanics contract, along with the new Coolidge terminal, will do a lot to inspire and motivate our maintenance employees of DDOT,"

Executive Director of Transit Robert Cramer said the 129 new buses will be what DDOT riders notice the most.  “Our riders are well aware of the struggles of our aging fleet.  With last week’s federal grant award, DDOT will soon have the most modern bus fleet in the United States.”

Cramer was also proud to show off the new Coolidge Terminal, nearing completion.  The terminal features new climate-controlled bus storage, state-of-the-art maintenance and operations facilities, as well as a new administration building with an indoor-outdoor employee lounge and kitchen, and a workout room with lockers and showers.  The Coolidge Terminal Complex includes three buildings:

• A 121,192 square foot climate-controlled storage building that will house up to 120 buses during overnight hours or when they are not in service or undergoing maintenance. A section of the building also includes bays for vehicles to be washed regularly to help prevent maintenance issues.
• A 54,293 square foot maintenance building, where buses will have routine maintenance and routine repairs conducted.
• A 16,922 square foot administration building with offices and several new amenities for employees, including an exercise room, kitchen with an indoor/outdoor lounge, lockers and showers.
• The project was designed to include strategically positioned and prepared areas for expansion of all three buildings to accommodate more capacity in the future.

Mayor Mike Duggan greets AFSCME Local 314 President Muneer Isman, who represents DDOT Mechanics, on their new contract that pays them a wage competitive with all other transit agencies in the region.  The increase in pay means DDOT will be able to attract more highly trained mechanics. 

Mayor Duggan, Mayor-elect Sheffield, DDOT Director Robert Cramer join with DDOT mechanics and transit advocates at today's announcement. 
 

Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield speaks to DDOT staff and transit advocates about the major advances at DDOT and pledges to support further improvements after she takes office.