Detroit’s commitment to enhancing its public transportation system took a significant leap forward this week, as Mayor Mike Duggan announced a game-changing pay increase for the city’s bus drivers. This move, announced at the Shoemaker Terminal on Thursday, is more than just a nod to better wages; it’s a cornerstone in the city’s strategy to revamp and revitalize public transportation services in Detroit.
This announcement comes after the long struggle with Detroit’s bus driver shortages and late buses that hits hard for Detroiters who utilizes public transportation. Imagine rushing to catch a bus for an important appointment or to pick up your kids, only to find yourself waiting endlessly. That’s the frustrating reality for many Detroit residents every day. It’s more than an inconvenience; it’s a disruption to livelihoods and routines. This issue isn’t just about time; it’s about how we value those who keep our city moving. Our bus drivers, who face long hours and challenging conditions, are calling for better pay and respect for their essential role in our community. Yet, they’re met with salaries that don’t match the demands of their job. This imbalance isn’t just a transit issue; it’s a question of fairness and dignity in the workplace.
Today, starting immediately, DDOT bus drivers will see their paychecks reflect a notable increase, with starting salaries jumping from $16.15 to $19.15 per hour. This $3 hike per hour is just the tip of the iceberg. Drivers with four or more years under their belt will now earn up to $25.61 per hour, a significant rise from the previous ceiling of $22.61. But Mayor Duggan was clear: this isn’t just about pay raises. “This is a holistic approach to transform how our transit system operates,” Duggan declared, emphasizing the plan’s broader ambitions to enhance safety measures, upgrade bus stops and shelters, and improve overall service reliability and customer experience.
City Council members, including Latisha Johnson, Fred Durhal III, and Coleman Young II, have already thrown their weight behind this initiative, signaling a likely green light from the City Council. But there’s more. Anticipating the expiry of the current collective bargaining agreement in 2025, the Mayor has preemptively reopened the contract to incorporate these wage hikes. Additionally, a bonus structure has been introduced, rewarding exemplary attendance with bonuses ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 annually. In a striking testament to this policy’s impact, 75% of DDOT operators bagged this bonus in the last quarter alone.
This strategic pay increase is part of a larger vision to build a more robust, efficient, and customer-friendly public transport network in Detroit. The plan includes expanding the DDOT fleet from 130 to 190 buses by September, and a significant bolstering of transit police to ensure safety for drivers and passengers alike. With about 400 drivers currently on board and a target to hit 600, Detroit is seemingly steering towards a born-again future where public transportation is not just a service, but a hallmark of city pride.
Mayor Duggan, together with Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) officials, celebrated the induction of 30 new bus drivers, the largest group in recent years, on Friday. This group, having completed extensive classroom and practical training, were awarded their official operator badges in a ceremony that included notables such as DDOT Interim Executive Director G. Michael Staley. The graduation occurred just a day after the announcement of a notable pay increase for DDOT drivers.
“Any day we can welcome more operators to our work force is a good day, especially a group of this size, which we have not seen in years,” said Staley. “This class of operators has dedicated themselves to train for the most difficult job at DDOT. Every operator plays an integral role in providing much-needed transportation to the City of Detroit.”
Mayor Duggan praised the efforts of DDOT leadership and the new operators, stating, “Under the leadership of Director Staley and President Collier, DDOT is turning a major corner this week. We are so proud of these individuals who have chosen to serve our residents in such an important way, and the more we are able to hire, the more new service we can add.” This influx of new drivers is timely, as DDOT prepares to implement enhanced services on several routes. Starting January 22, the 9-Jefferson route will transition into a Bus Rapid Transit pilot, significantly increasing its daytime frequency to every 10 minutes on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. These improvements include the introduction of temporary bus stop islands for smoother traffic flow, consistent ¼-mile bus stop spacing, permanent boarding islands in coordination with the Department of Public Works, upgraded shelters with information displays at key locations, and ‘Connection Corners’ at major transfer intersections.
Furthermore, this expansion in the workforce will enable increased bus frequency on routes like 16-Dexter and 18-Fenkell. Additional peak period runs are also planned for several other routes, with the specific details to be finalized later this month. This decision will be influenced by the quarterly driver “pick,” where operators choose their preferred routes. Routes poised for enhancement include 3-Grand River, 13-Conner, 15-Chicago/Davison, 19-Fort, 7-Seven Mile, 27-Joy, 60-Evergreen, and 67-Cadillac/Harper.
