The SMARTer Network is here!

The SMARTer Network has been developed to reflect what people liked most about the draft scenarios 1 and 2 that were presented during our engagement efforts over the summer and fall of 2024. This new, proposed, SMARTer Network will offer the following:

More connections to the places people need to go most often through a combination of new and modified routes and Flex Zones. ​

More options for improved mobility for ALL with more Flex Zones. This offers improved access and opportunities for people to get where they need to go and better first/last mile connections.

  • 45 bus routes

  • 11 Flex Zones​

  • Provides more transit options to 719,724 more residents

More reliability through more predictable scheduling and more frequent service on the routes you take most often.

  • Clock hand timing

  • Better timed layovers.

  • FAST routes every 20 minutes during weekday peak hours (6a-8p)

  • High ridership routes every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours

  • 38 routes will offer service 7 days a week

Learn More - Watch our Presentation to the Board

More Connections

Offering improved connections ​to places, such as:​

  • Bloomfield

  • Downriver

  • Hamtramck

  • Macomb

  • Mount Clemens

  • Rochester

  • Romulus

  • Sterling Heights

  • Trenton

  • Warren

  • Wixom

More Options

Flex Zones

By providing more options that increase mobility for all with more Flex Zones. This offers improved access and opportunities for people to get where they need to go.

Short trip? Ride Flex!

Live or work too far from a fixed bus route? Ride Flex!

Late Night Flex Pilot

The SMARTer Network includes a proposed pilot Late Night Flex Zone, which would only operate during the hours of 10pm to 2am. This zone encompasses three of the proposed Flex Zones (Dearborn, Downriver, and Romulus) as well as the surrounding areas. Riders would be able to schedule a trip anywhere within this zone during the late-night hours. In addition, riders could use this Late Night Flex as a first- or last-mile connection to the SMART bus routes in the area (125, 162, 261, and 275). To save costs, the local bus routes in this zone would end service when the Late Night Flex Zone takes effect (160, 200, 210, and the 250).

More Reliability

  • Clock-hand timing. Your bus will come at the same time every hour.​

  • Better timed layovers. By building in more time for layovers operators can stay on schedule more often.

  • FAST routes will run every 20 minutes during weekday peak hours (6am-8pm) and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends.

  • High ridership routes will run every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours.

  • All but 7 routes will offer daily service.​
    (increase from 21 today to 38 in the SMARTer Network)

Proposed Routes to be Discontinued

  • 140 Southshore

    • Coverage provided by modified route 160 and/or Dearborn/Downriver Flex Zones

  • 255- Ford Rd Express

    • Covered by route 250 Ford Rd

  • 562- FAST Gratiot Commuter

    • Covered by routes 560 Local and 563 FAST

  • 620 Charlevoix/635-East Jefferson

    • Covered by modified route 610

  • 830-Downriver Park And Ride

    • Covered by modified route 160 and new route 162

Proposed Route Frequencies and Service Hours

SMARTer Mobility Study

SMART launched the SMARTer Mobility Study in early 2023 to evaluate their fixed route/ADA, connector general service, and the current micro transit pilot program to aid in the evaluation and analysis of the services within the region. When complete, the Study will include:

  • Recommendations for service design and improvements for overall system efficiency and operational effectiveness

    • Examination of all possible alternatives to address the existing services, as well as currently known, but unmet service requests that are anticipated in conjunction with new areas of development

    • Comprehensive engagement with legislators, regional and local stakeholders, transit riders, and the communities

Latest News

Existing Conditions Report

The Existing Conditions Report has been published.
> Read the report

Community Engagement Round 1

The first round of community engagement is complete!
> View the Stats

Community Engagement Round 2

The second round of community engagement is complete!.
> View the Stats

The Study

The SMARTer Mobility Study is designed to be a comprehensive plan to guide decision-making for SMART as it relates to changes to their fixed-route service and Connector service. The plan will detail how SMART can achieve and maintain excellence in its system and service while operating as a premier transit system for the greater Detroit region. Addressing the needs and wants of its communities and partners is integral to the process.

Following the planning process, the SMARTer Mobility Plan will be an action-oriented strategy for making major investments and changes to service within SMART's system, and will guide the agency, its planning partners, the public, and regional stakeholders in setting priorities for major transit investments.

What will the study include?

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Study Timeline