Southeast Michigan county, business, and community leaders seem to agree; the region needs a transit authority to attract businesses and young talent.
Testimony at a House transportation committee hearing overwhelmingly supported bills to create an authority.
John Hertel is the general manager of the SMART transit system. He said this is the first time in four decades he’s seen this level of agreement between the city of Detroit and its suburbs.
"I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s wonderful to see. But while it’s there, we need to strike and move forward. This kind of thing obviously doesn’t come along very often," said Hertel.
Hertel said he’s not yet confident the Legislature will pass the plan.
Robert Daddow spoke on behalf of Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. He’s confident the bills will pass.
"The governor has pressed this for some period of time, has been actively working in the coordination between the units – Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw - in trying to get an agreement together. And we’re very, very close, if not right there, right now," said Daddow.
State officials have tried many times to establish a regional transit authority in southeast Michigan.
Some supporters are skeptical it can get out of the legislature. Others worry about possible legal challenges if it does pass.
