The Detroit People Mover is adding something new to the mix this holiday season, and it goes beyond trains circling downtown. Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC), which operates the system, has opened its first online retail store and is marking the launch with a limited-time offer: a free Detroit People Mover T-shirt available through December 8, with buyers only covering shipping.
The move comes after a year of expanded accessibility efforts for the system. Since February 2024, the People Mover has been free to ride — a decision that changed how residents, workers, and visitors move around the central business district. The elevated rail has long served as a connector between major destinations, from the RenCen to Grand Circus Park, but eliminating fares made it more accessible for Detroiters who rely on public transit to navigate the city’s core. Ridership has steadily grown since the fare-free announcement, supported by new service hours and station improvements.
The online store is the system’s next step in strengthening its presence with riders and Detroit residents who have embraced the People Mover as part of everyday life. The site, PeopleMoverStore.com, offers a range of branded items from shirts, sweatshirts, hats, drinkware, bags, and office accessories all manufactured through Detroit-based supplier MyLocker.
The Corktown company uses print-on-demand technology, meaning items are made to order and produced in Detroit.
The partnership keeps the operation local. MyLocker employs Detroiters and supplies custom merchandise for schools, leagues, and organizations across the country. For DTC, the collaboration also means customers can personalize items with several People Mover logos, select colors, and choose where graphics are placed on apparel.
The free T-shirt is the launch’s main draw.
To claim it, users select the Gildan G500 cotton tee from the store, choose a color and one of the available Detroit People Mover designs, and add it to their cart. At checkout, the price automatically adjusts to zero. No additional purchase is required, and the offer is limited to one per order. Shipping costs still apply.
The promotion gives Detroiters a chance to wear the system they’ve been riding for more than three decades. The People Mover opened in 1987 and has become part of the visual and cultural landscape of downtown Detroit. The elevated track has carried workers to office towers, families to events, and visitors to attractions along its near 2-mile loop. For many residents, the rail line remains a reminder of a period when the city explored new approaches to transit, automation, and downtown mobility.
As Detroit continues discussing long-term transit needs, from bus frequency to regional rail, the People Mover has held steady as a small but consistent part of the city’s transportation network. Making rides free extended that stability. Offering free shirts adds another way for residents to show support for a system they use, recognize, or remember.
The promotion runs through December 8. Orders are typically produced within two to five business days, with shipping available worldwide.
