Detroit People Mover's Zero Cost Ride Pilot Program for 2024

People Mover in Detroit.Photo byWDIV

In a bid to bolster ridership and convenience, the Detroit People Mover is set to roll out a transformative change in 2024. The Detroit Transportation Corporation’s Board of Directors gave the green light to a groundbreaking Zero Fare pilot program, slated to kick off on January 2, 2024.

Under this innovative initiative, riding the People Mover will be completely free, marking a significant shift from the current fare system that has long been considered a hindrance to convenient travel. The program seeks to surge ridership by a substantial 50% or more by leveraging sponsorships to cover the expenses that riders typically bear at the stations.

Robert Cramer, General Manager of DTC, emphasized the challenges posed by the outdated fare collection infrastructure, which relies solely on coins, tokens, or pre-purchased magnetic-striped passes. The aging equipment’s maintenance and repair, compounded by the difficulty in sourcing parts, have increasingly strained the system.

Replacing the current fare collection setup would require an estimated $5 million investment, a cost that the Zero Fare pilot program aims to circumvent. This groundbreaking initiative is not only poised to save on infrastructure costs but is anticipated to grant residents, workers, and visitors easier access to downtown events and connecting transit trips, especially with major happenings like the NFL Draft on the horizon.

Despite the People Mover's ridership nearly doubling from the previous year, it remains at 42% of pre-pandemic levels. The DTC is committed to providing regular updates on the program's progress, with plans to review its continuation or modification during the July 2024 Board of Directors meeting for a potential extension into 2025.

This move signals a bold step towards making public transportation more accessible, convenient, and community-oriented in Detroit, aligning with the city's aspirations to enhance urban mobility and foster greater engagement with its various events and services. The success of this initiative could herald a transformative shift in how public transportation is perceived and utilized within the city, potentially influencing similar reforms in the future.