Introduced
by
To create a new Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) including Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, comprised of the existing City of Detroit transit system and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). The authority would develop, implement, and update a comprehensive regional public transportation service plan. It would eventually have taxing and borrowing authority, subject to a vote of the people. The bill contains provisions which make it difficult to change the current work rules, compensation and benefits of existing transit workers, or to reduce the number of existing employees. Other provisions potentially make it difficult to privatize transit service. Until 2006 only Monroe and Washtenaw counties would be allowed to opt out of the authority.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce
