Last Thursday, a group of advocates from Transportation Riders United (TRU) and the Sierra Club gathered (along with a number of other groups: ATU Local 26, Detroit People's Platform, Detroit Jews for Justice, Detroit Disability Power, Detroit DSA, and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition) at Detroit's Rosa Parks Transit Center, united by their mission: to urge the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to increase driver pay. While at first glance, bus drivers' salaries might not appear to be a pressing climate issue, Chuck Altman a volunteer from the Sierra Club and frequent bus rider highlighted the important connections.
"The more people who use public transportation, the better for our environment," he emphasized. "But people can't rely on transit when routes are canceled due to driver shortages. To make sustainable transportation more accessible, our transit agencies need to be fully staffed, which in turn requires well-compensated drivers, especially considering the impact of inflation on salaries."
"People desire to use public transportation for environmental reasons," he emphasized. "But they can't rely on it when service issues are common. To make sustainable transportation more accessible, we need more buses and better service, which in turn requires well-compensated drivers, especially considering the impact of inflation on salaries."
Transportation plays a crucial role in addressing the climate challenge. According to the EPA, transportation-related carbon emissions account for about a third of all emissions, surpassing those from coal and gas in 2017. Furthermore, Governor Whitmer's Healthy Climate Plan underlines the importance of multiple strategies for achieving transportation decarbonization goals, including expanding access to safe public transit.
Investing in Detroit's public transit system, of course, goes beyond climate considerations; it is a lifeline for thousands of residents, including parents, workers, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and students who cannot afford cars.
Yet, the city's transit riders face an ongoing crisis due to a severe shortage of bus drivers impacting both DDOT and SMART. This shortage has led to significant reductions in bus services, leaving passengers stranded and schedules disrupted. Each agency is grappling with a critical shortage of approximately 100 bus operators, causing service levels to plummet to two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels, making Detroit one of the hardest-hit cities.
The root cause of the bus driver shortage can largely be attributed to uncompetitive pay offered by DDOT and SMART. DDOT provides one of the lowest starting wages for operators nationwide, starting at only $15 per hour, while SMART's pay is only slightly better but still significantly lower than many other transit agencies.
There is hope, however, as TRU organizer Joel Batterman points out: "Last month, the Michigan Legislature responded to our advocacy by passing a budget that substantially increased funding for public transit across the state. Both SMART and DDOT will receive millions more dollars. But this will mean nothing if they don't address the current crisis by raising their rock-bottom wages for operators."
To achieve victory, it is essential for elected officials, including the SMART board of directors, Detroit City Council, and the Mayor, to prioritize this issue. Failing to address the salary underinvestment may cause Metro Detroit to lag behind for another generation in making much-needed improvements to its transportation system.
Amidst one of the hottest summers on record, climate advocates and transportation activists are cautiously optimistic that DDOT and SMART will finally address their concerns and take prompt action. For those eager to participate in these efforts, it's essential to note that SMART's board of directors is largely appointed by the three main county executives, with Hillary Chambers serving as the chair, a deputy county executive under County Executive Dave Coulter. To get involved, reach out to your county executive and voice your advocacy.
You can find ways to do so through our partners at TRU, who are actively engaged in this cause.