SMART Provides Reliable Transportation and More to Southeast Michigan

Serving the community since 1967, Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is southeast Michigan’s public transportation provider, proudly serving Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties with reliable, accessible and affordable transit options.

Every day, SMART connects people to essential destinations like workplaces, colleges and universities, malls, healthcare facilities, and more – supporting the region’s economy, fostering community and enhancing the quality of life for all.

SMART is supported by federal and state funding, local contributions through a transit property tax millage from opt-in communities and bus fares.

The mission of SMART is to connect people, strengthen community and drive economic growth by delivering safe and reliable mobility services.

"At SMART our mission goes beyond buses and routes – it’s about people,” said Tiffany Gunter, deputy general manager and COO. “Every ride we provide connects someone to a job, a doctor’s appointment, a classroom or a loved one. Public transit is a lifeline, and we take pride in ensuring that everyone in southeast Michigan has access to reliable, affordable and safe transportation. We are the connective tissue for economic growth in the region. We continue to evolve, we’re committed to listening to our communities, innovating our services and creating a transit system that works for everyone – no matter where in southeast Michigan they live or need to go.”

SMART buses operate on 45 fixed routes across three counties, connecting suburban areas to major destinations and ensuring seamless travel for daily commuters and occasional riders alike.

They offer greater accessibility within their service areas with their connector service (paratransit), which is a curb-to-curb, advance reservation service designed for seniors and people with disabilities.

As a testament to its mission of strengthening the community, SMART offers a community transit service which, in partnership with local municipalities and nonprofit organizations, provides transportation solutions tailored to specific community needs, enhancing mobility for all residents.

SMART Flex is an additional on-demand microtransit service offered that operates in designated zones, allowing riders to book rides via a smartphone app or by phone, offering flexibility and convenience for shorter trips, similar to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.

SMART is known for its convenient, safe, reliable and economical transportation.


Convenience

- SMART bus routes provide access to more than 67,000 businesses and 850,000 jobs.
- Approximately two million people live within a quarter mile radius of a SMART bus route.
- Over 9 million people use SMART to travel to work, school, doctor’s offices and shopping centers each year.


Safety

- SMART drivers receive nearly 280 hours of training and drive 21,000 miles accident free on average.
- SMART buses receive preventative maintenance every 3000 miles and are equipped with smart technology.


Reliable

- Seventy-one percent of fixed route riders use SMART to get to work each day.
- SMART buses are on time 86 percent of the time.
- Nearly 56 percent of new fixed route riders prefer using SMART to their own vehicle.


Economical

- A 31-day SMART pass costs less than two fill ups at the gas pump.
- SMART redistributes approximately $7.8 million each year to 137 community programs through its specialized services, municipal and community credits programs.
- SMART offers transit programs and tax incentives for businesses and their employees.


“SMART provides greater access to jobs, creates regional economic development opportunities and better connectivity for our customers," said Dwight A. Ferrell, general manager of SMART.

For more information about SMART or to buy passes, visit www.smartbus.org.