DDOT announces new service expansions effective today

2025
  • 13 routes to see more frequent buses 
  • 17 routes to see expanded service hours on weekends 
  • First of several improvements slated for this year, including arrival of 45 new buses 

 

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) is pleased to announce a series of service expansions as part of the transit agency ongoing efforts to increase its level of service and improve schedule reliability.  Since this time a year ago, DDOT has increased the average number of buses on the road each day by 14 and increased their TEO (transit equipment operator) force by 54 drivers, allowing for the service expansions, all of which take effect today.  The following changes represent a 5% overall increase in DDOT service.  

Weekday Frequency Improvements 

2-Michigan, 5-Van Dyke/Lafayette, 31-Mack  

  • Improve daytime peak frequency to 20 minutes (up from 30 minutes) 

 3-Grand River, 7-Seven Mile, 10-Greenfield  

  • Improve midday base to every 15 minutes (up from 20 minutes) 

 17-Eight Mile 

  • Improve midday base service to every 20 minutes. (up from 30 minutes) 

 18-Fenkell 

  • Improve daytime frequency to every 40 minutes on weekdays. (up from 45-50 minutes) 

 

Weekend Frequency Improvements 

1-Vernor, 5-Van Dyke/Lafayette  

  • 45- minute daytime frequency on Sundays. (up from 60 minutes) 

 3-Grand River, 6-Gratiot, 7-Seven Mile  

  • Improve Saturday daytime service to every 20 minutes (up from 30 minutes) 

 8-Warren 

  • 30 - minute daytime frequency on Saturdays (up from 45 minutes) 
  • 45 - minute daytime frequency on Sundays. (up from 60 minutes) 

 29-Linwood 

  • 50 – minute daytime seven days/week (up from 60 minutes) 

 23-Hamilton/John R 

  • 45 – minute peak weekday service (up from 60 minutes) 

 

Saturday and Sunday span improvements  

Most will run from 7a to 9p. Previous hours had started later and ended earlier.  (Every route is different) 

  • 12-Conant 
  • 13-Conner 
  • 15-Chicago/Davidson 
  • 18-Fenkell 
  • 23-Hamilton 
  • 27-Joy 
  • 29-Linwood 
  • 30-Livernois 
  • 38-Plymouth 
  • 39-Puritan 
  • 41-Schaefer 
  • 42-Mid-City Loop 
  • 43-Schoolcraft 
  • 52-Chene 
  • 54-Wyoming 
  • 67-Cadillac/Harper 
  • 68-Chalmers 

 

"Our April service expansions represent the latest efforts DDOT has made to improve service for transit riders," said Executive Director of Transit, Robert Cramer. "Offering more frequent and longer service spans both during the week and on the weekends allow us to better serve riders and give them more opportunity to get them were they need to go."   

More Improvements on the way 

The service expansion is just one of several major improvements expected this year from DDOT. Between June and December, DDOT will receive 45 new coaches it has on order, which will greatly improve reliability and allow for further service improvements.  Four fully electric buses also on order and may arrive this year, as well.  

Mayor Duggan also requested and received from City Council an additional $20 million for the 2025-26 DDOT budget, which will begin July 1 and will be used to hire more bus drivers, mechanics and order more new coaches.   

The $20M increase in DDOT's budget allows DDOT to continue increasing service by 1%-5% each quarter through the fiscal year.  The budget also includes funding for additional maintenance and bus stop staff, supporting increased bus cleanings, increased repair and replacement of shelters and other bus stop amenities.  The addition of new mechanics also will allow for a strong maintenance department poised to increase DDOT’s capacity for preventive and repair maintenance, especially on a fleet that will be nearly 25% hybrid buses.  

City Council also added another $2.7M, much of which will be used to install new shelters and benches at more bus stops across the city.