2009 Senate Bill 1031

Create “DARTA” transit authority

Introduced in the Senate

Dec. 17, 2009

Introduced by Sen. Samuel B. Thomas (D-4)

To create a new Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) covering Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties, by merging the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) transit system and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), and bound by the current labor agreements of those entities. The authority would have borrowing authority, and could contract with local governments to receive tax revenue, but would not have direct taxing power itself. Monroe and Washtenaw County could withdraw with a vote of the county commission, and Oakland and Macomb counties with a vote of the people.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation