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Residents in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties voted to approve a new millage and opt into an agreement with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation as a whole instead of on a community-by-community basis. 

Lucas Paschall of Chesterfield Township was among the 65.5% of voters who chose to support the millage for Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) buses in Macomb County.

He would also vote in favor of more public transportation than we currently have. “I’m a huge believer in public transportation,” said the Macomb Community College student who is hoping to become a history teacher.

Regional transit efforts got a big boost Tuesday as voters in Oakland County OK’d a countywide transit millage for the first time and votes in support of millages for transit service passed in Wayne County and led comfortably in Macomb County as counting continued Wednesday.

Oakland County voters approved a proposal aimed at connecting the county’s SMART transportation system and ending the ability of local communities to opt out of it. The 0.95-mill, 10-year property tax proposal won a 57.2% yes vote with just under 97% of precincts reporting.

Supporters of the millage proposal described the effort to unite the county’s Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation system as essential to provide residents with access to jobs, health care and education. 

Residents in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties will decide on transit items when they head to the polls on Tuesday.

Macomb and Wayne County already participate in county-wide transit programs, which millage “yes” votes would continue. But for Oakland County, which does not currently have full access to SMART, it’s a chance for residents to opt in.

Public transportation connects people with jobs, boosts economy

DETROIT (Friday, Nov. 4, 2022) – The Detroit Regional Chamber, the voice for business across Southeast Michigan, today announced its support for public transportation millages in both Oakland and Macomb counties on the Nov. 8 ballot. 

“It’s never been more important to connect people with jobs, and public transit plays a critical role in helping businesses succeed and our residents prosper,” said Brad Williams, the chamber’s vice president of Government Relations. “Public transportation also attracts new businesses and the brightest and best employees to our region. As the leading voice for business across Southeast Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber is proud to support these proposals because they will help make our region more competitive and boost the local and statewide economy.”

Research shows public transportation is a vital component of thriving communities and helps boost the local economy — every $1 invested in public transportation creates $4 in economic output by attracting new businesses and expanding the talent pool for local employers.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) provides an estimated 10 million rides annually. Voting “Yes” on the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage will expand and maintain existing public transit services, including transportation provided by SMART, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, North Oakland Transportation Authority, and Older Persons Commission. Macomb County’s Public Transportation Millage is a renewal of existing services for SMART.

“These proposals also help our most vulnerable residents get where they need to go, whether it’s to work, school, doctors’ appointments, or a trip to Meijer or Walgreens,” Williams said. “They help all residents in Oakland and Macomb counties compete for jobs and participate in the economy by providing affordable, efficient public transportation. This includes tens of thousands of essential workers, seniors, veterans, low-income residents, working parents, and people with disabilities across the region. For these reasons, the Detroit Regional Chamber urges residents to vote ‘Yes’ on the Oakland and Macomb County Public Transportation Millages.”

Funding from both millages will be tracked publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently, with 100% of funds generated staying in their respective counties and subject to annual independent audits to promote fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about these critical public transportation millage proposals, please visit RenewMacombTransit.com and YesOaklandTransit.com.

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About the Detroit Regional Chamber 

Serving the business community for more than 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected chambers of commerce in the country. As the voice for business in the 11-county Southeast Michigan region, the Chamber’s mission is carried out by creating a business-friendly climate and providing value for members. The Chamber leads the most comprehensive education and talent strategy in the state. The Chamber also executes the statewide automotive, mobility, and technology cluster association, MICHauto, and hosts the nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference.  

For more information, please visit detroitchamber.com. 

Public transportation connects people with jobs, boosts economy

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – The Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, representing business leaders and other stakeholders countywide, has endorsed the Macomb County Public Transportation Millage renewal on the Nov. 8 ballot because it helps connect people with jobs and boost the economy. The Chamber Board approved a resolution endorsing the proposal at its most recent meeting.

“At the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, our mission statement is ‘Greater Voice, Greater Connections, Greater Value,’ and the Macomb County Public Transportation Millage renewal checks all of these boxes by helping businesses succeed and connecting people with jobs,” said Kelley Lovati, CEO & President with the chamber. “Public transportation helps attract the best and brightest to our area by providing affordable, efficient transit services. As the leading voice for business in Macomb County, our chamber is proud to support this proposal because it helps boost the local economy during difficult times.”

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) provides an estimated 10 million rides annually. Macomb County’s Public Transportation Millage is a renewal of existing services for SMART.

“The Macomb County Public Transportation Millage renewal also helps our most vulnerable residents lead productive lives by helping them get to work, school, doctors’ appointments and more every day,” Lovati said. “This millage renewal helps thousands of essential workers, seniors, veterans, low-income residents, working parents and people with disabilities across Macomb County compete for jobs and participate in the local economy and beyond. For these reasons, the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce urges people to vote ‘Yes’ to renew the Macomb County Public Transportation Millage.”

Research shows public transportation is a vital component of thriving communities and helps boost the local economy — every $1 invested in public transportation creates $4 in economic output by attracting new businesses and expanding the talent pool for local employers.

Funding from the millage will be tracked publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently, with 100% of funds generated staying in Macomb County and subject to annual independent audits to promote fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about this critical public transportation millage proposal please visit RenewMacombTransit.com.

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About the Macomb County Chamber (www.macombcountychamber.com)

The Macomb County Chamber of Commerce is an organization of people who know the wisdom of coordinating their efforts under effective leadership for advancement of the community and area. It enables members to accomplish collectively what none would or could individually. Our mission statement is “Greater Voice. Greater Connections. Greater Value.”

For more information, contact Kelley Lovati at 584-493-7600 or kelley@macombcountychamber.com

Riders in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties will be able to use the service for free all day

SMART bus will offer free rides on Election Day. Riders will be able to use the services between Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne County beginning at 12 a.m. on Nov. 8.

The rides will be offered across SMART services ADA service, Connector, Fixed Route, and the rideshare service SMART Flex and will cease at 11:59 p.m.

The SMART bus system is planning to offer – for the first time – free transit service to all riders on Election Day.

SMART is the regional public transportation provider for Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

The free service applies to SMART’s Fixed Route, Connector, and ADA Paratransit Service for people with disabilities, as well as the ride share service SMART Flex.

The bus tax on the ballot in Metro Detroit won’t fix what’s wrong with regional transit. It’s a bandage that addresses a gap in service, and could help bridge to the broader solution that’s needed. Still, we do believe Oakland County’s proposal to eliminate the SMART opt-out and join Macomb in bringing all of its communities into that system has merit and could move the region a step closer to consolidation.

So we recommend a yes vote on the transit tax proposals on the ballots in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.