Chamber Spotlight: The SMART Way to Go

SMART [KL1] launched a brand new service in March 2021, SMART Flex, taking riders from curb to curb.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation was created in 1967 as SEMTA. In 1989 SEMTA was renamed SMART, and today it serves 76 communities in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.


Affordable rides

Last year SMART FLEX ran in Dearborn, Troy/Clawson, Auburn Hills/Pontiac, Hall Road and Farmington/Farmington Hills areas.

Request a ride seven days a week. Riders download the SMART Flex app at Ride SMART Flex, and a driver picks them up and drops them off at their destinations. The fee is from $2 to $8. More communities are expected to be added in 2024.

“The goal is to expand in more areas,” said Bernard Parker III, vice president of external affairs. “SMART Flex rides stand as a testament to our commitment to accessible and affordable transportation. This service, akin to ridesharing but with a cap on cost, is a game-changer for our community.”

Meanwhile, the SMART Fixed Route program is the easiest, most affordable way to connect to destinations throughout Macomb County, portions of Oakland and Wayne County. Drivers pick up passengers at designated bus stops and times at major corridors, crosstown, limited stop and express routes.

Additionally, the SMART FAST program offers a limited-stop service that connects passengers to the suburbs and downtown quickly and easily. With this high-frequency program, buses travel along three of Detroit’s busiest corridors – Gratiot, Woodward, and Michigan avenues, giving access to jobs, retail, restaurants, stadiums, Detroit's Metro Airport, and entertainment venues.

Another option is to transfer from SMART FAST to SMART Flex within Dearborn, Troy/Clawson, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, and portions of Hall Road. Passengers review options on the SMART website at smartmovesus.org.

In all, SMART has given access to 67,000 businesses and 60,000 jobs, Parker said, adding that more than 20,000 people are served daily. SMART, a governmental entity, is funded by state, federal and local contributions.

"SMART is pivotal in driving economic growth and transforming our region,” said Dwight Ferrell, general manager. “I've seen how a robust public transportation system, like SMART, attracts businesses and jobs, enhancing the region's vibrancy. Our commitment to providing exceptional service has made SMART an integral part of the community's progress, reflecting the positive evolution of transit in serving and connecting our people.”

SMART also operates four eco-friendly electric vehicles that operate on a zero-emissions platform and provide reduced air and noise pollution. These vehicles are also cheaper to operate.

“This latest step toward carbon-free mobility means that every time you choose SMART, you are investing in a better ride, a better community, a better future,” the company website said. “It also reinforces our commitment to provide an economic advantage and environmentally safe transit to the 76 communities we serve.”


Other offers

Customers with disabilities are given special services. Reduced rates are also provided to those who are at least 65, six to 18 years old, or a person with a disability.

"At SMART, we believe in building connections that extend beyond transit,” Parker said. “Our focus on customer service and community engagement reflects our dedication to not just being a transit provider but a partner in the region's development.”

For more information about FLEX, visit support-smart@ ridewithvia.com or call (734) 212-8429.