Farmington Officials Reverse SMART Vote

got back on the bus Monday night as city officials reversed of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). 

Residents have continued access to existing routes, along with a new service that will take them to a variety of locations in Livonia and Novi, cities that have opted out of the SMART system. 

Through an action allowed under Robert's Rules of Order, City Council members moved to reconsider the resolution. That took the city back to where it was before officials voted to leave SMART and find alternative transportation for local residents.

City Manager Vince Pastue said a number of discussions followed the earlier meeting, and "what came about is some clarification of a proposal presented the day before the (Jan. 17) meeting." SMART had offered a dial-a-ride service that would provide curb-to-curb bus service, but officials wanted to know whether buses would go to destinations outside SMART's service area, such as in Novi. 

At the time, Jim Fetzer, SMART deputy general manager of operations, said the SMART board would have to decide whether to allow service in opt-out cities. Officials were particularly concerned about the shopping center,  and other commercial areas along Haggerty Road in Novi.

Mayor Tom Buck confirmed Monday that the dial-a-ride will travel to the Secretary of State office, University of Phoenix, Madonna College, Schoolcraft College and St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, and , Twelve Oaks, and Providence in Novi. It will also connect residents with SMART's regular bus lines. 

Buck said Pastue had looked at putting together a new service for Farmington. "It would not offer the same range of service, and the cost would be about the same," Buck said. "It would be a pretty significant distraction from other priorities we have as a city." 

Council member Greg Cowley, one of the strongest "opt out" proponents, also noted that the city has "a lot tougher decisions to make going forward." He said SMART's flexibility and ability to provide service, particularly to seniors and people with disabilities, turned his vote around. 

"I think it's the spirit of partnership," he said. 

Fetzer said earlier that it would likely be late March before SMART has the dial-a-ride service up and running. Residents will vote in August on a millage renewal to fund the system.