Farmington Likely to Get Off the SMART Bus

While a decision has not yet been made, officials made clear in a study session discussion Monday that they are ready to get off the SMART bus. 

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), which serves Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, to service in Farmington and Farmington Hills. of the system in January, and after Monday night's discussion, city manager Vince Pastue said that's the direction local officials appear to be heading.

Effective Dec. 12, SMART eliminated Orchard Lake Route 385, which ran from Orchard Lake Road and 12 Mile through Farmington to  on Eight Mile Rd., including service to  campus. That left Farmington with only two routes, which provide service essentially along the same line – on Grand River from the western border of the city to Beech-Daly in Redford Township.

Officials agreed, given the city's $200,000 annual contribution for the service through a .59 mill levy, that taxpayers are not getting enough bang for their bucks. 

"Essentially, it almost seems like, in some sense, SMART has made that decision for us," council member Kristin Kuiken said. 

Officials discussed possible alternatives for transit that would serve people who do use the bus system. Pastue said it would be "impractical" for the city to run its own transit system without some kind of arrangement with, "at a minimum", Farmington Hills. Livonia and Novi, also "opt out" communities, were also suggested as potential partners. 

Seniors, others need connectors

Council member Bill Galvin expressed concern that the city not become an "isolated island" and pointed out that seniors, people with disabilities and others "have lifestyles that revolve around that connection schedule. It could be very disruptive." 

Mayor Tom Buck noted residents voted 2-1 almost two years ago to authorize the SMART millage and said Farmington could work out a system that includes popular destinations like medical facilities and shopping centers.

"I don't think anyone here is saying 'no' to mass transit," he said.

"We want to invent a better wheel," council member JoAnne McShane added. 

Officials directed Pastue to come back to their first meeting in January with additional information about the potential for connections with other cities, as well as more detailed data about Farmington's use of the senior transportation system shared with Farmington Hills. Council member Greg Cowley also wanted a look at results of a survey the conducted about employee bus ridership among local businesses. 

"I don't think we're at a decision point," Galvin said, adding the city doesn't know enough about what Farmington Hills is doing. "If we opted out and they opted in, I see that as a problem."

"I don't think it's going to be a problem," McShane countered. "I think the alternatives will come. I think we can find ways to connect with other services." Buck and Cowley also agreed there was no need to wait on the larger city's decision, which likely won't come until late January. 

"I'm really not sensing a lot of 'opt in' energy in the discussion," Buck concluded.