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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Budget Hearing for Detroit Transportation Corporation (People Mover) - March 16, 2026

City Council — Monday, March 16, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, March 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 51:02

Original source
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0:00

Before we begin, Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:03

Good afternoon.

0:04

Good afternoon.

0:04

Councilmember Scott Benson.

0:06

I mentioned I.

0:07

Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

0:08

President.

0:09

Councilmember Denzel McCampbell.

0:11

Councilmember Renata Miller.

0:13

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:16

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Mary Waters.

0:18

Present.

0:19

Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway.

0:22

Council President Pro Tempera Coleman A.

0:24

Young the Second.

0:25

Here, thanks for that Pro Temper on there.

0:27

You're welcome.

0:27

Council President James Tate.

0:30

Mr.

0:30

Chair, you have a corn president.

0:31

Mr.

0:32

President, you have a quorum present.

0:33

Thank you, ma'am.

0:34

I appreciate it.

0:35

We are now back in session.

0:36

Would now like for the Detroit Transportation Corporation to come forward.

0:40

And right after we're going to have the Detroit Detroit Department of Transportation afterwards.

0:48

In addition to this particular budget hearing, let's see.

0:52

We have the people mover as well as the transit police who's going to be joining us as well.

0:59

Madam Clerk, if you can please note that we've been joined by Member Miller.

1:02

Clerk was on.

1:04

Thank you.

1:04

Thank you.

1:08

Good afternoon.

1:11

Good afternoon, Chair.

1:13

How are you today?

1:14

Doing well, doing well, and welcome and congratulations and welcome to your first budget hearing.

1:19

Yes, this is exciting.

1:21

I am like very excited.

1:24

I am.

1:25

Look, we ain't gonna talk about it right now.

1:27

Yes, we are all family.

1:32

Glad to have you back.

1:34

And so uh being this my first through the chair, being this my first budget hearing, I am going to officially greet you all and go through my notes.

1:44

Um, I I just this is this is amazing.

1:48

So, yay.

1:48

Okay.

1:49

So um, good afternoon, honorable city council.

1:52

It is a pretty it is a privilege and a pleasure to be with you today.

1:56

Um, I am Malia Howard, General Manager for the Detroit Transportation Corporation, or as you lovingly know, the Detroit People Mover.

2:03

Uh, to my right is our general manager, Deputy General Manager Ernest Latham.

2:08

To my left is our finance director, Miss Karen Foster.

2:12

The Detroit People Mover plays a vital role in advancing the mayor's bold push to showcase Detroit as an exciting, easily accessible and forward-thinking city as a visible elevated circular system connecting commuters to the downtown neighborhoods, small businesses, entertainment venues, and riverfront attractions.

2:31

The system reflects Detroit's innovative approach to mobility by enabling residents and visitors to seamlessly explore downtown without transportation barriers.

2:41

We are not only strengthening transit, we are strengthening Detroit's economic engine and reinforcing our identity as a modern and opportunity-rich city.

2:53

Slide two.

2:54

Yeah.

2:54

From this slide, you can see the basic overview of the people mover.

2:58

Um, we have been moving the people, as I like to say, since 1987.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Public Transit██████████████████████████████30%
Public Engagement█████████████████17%
Budget████4%
Senior Services███3%
Economic Development██2%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Budget Hearing for Detroit Transportation Corporation (People Mover) - March 16, 2026

The Detroit City Council held a budget hearing for the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC), which operates the Detroit People Mover. General Manager Malia Howard presented the FY27 budget, highlighting increased ridership, system improvements, and expansion plans. Council members questioned the DTC team on free fare, future expansion, maintenance, and community partnerships. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational with follow-up questions to be submitted.

Discussion Items

  • Ridership and Free Fare: Ridership increased 64% from 2023 to 2024 (including NFL draft) and 23% from 2024 to 2025, despite a two-month closure for rail replacement. The free fare policy is intended to remain permanent, supported by increased sponsorship and advertising revenue (goal of $2 million).
  • Fleet and Infrastructure: DTC purchased 16 used train cars from the Toronto Transit Commission to replace aging rolling stock, providing 7–10 years to plan for new vehicles. A $1 million community benefits agreement will upgrade the Water Square station exterior. The Michigan Central Multimodal Facility project ($40 million investment) will connect Amtrak, Greyhound, and other transit, with the goal of restoring passenger rail from Canada.
  • System Study and Expansion: DTC is conducting a system study to improve first/last-mile connections and pedestrian access. Five potential expansion modes were identified: Michigan Central, Grand River (U-M/ casino), Woodward, Eastern Market, and Jefferson East (to the Uniroyal site). Final community meetings are upcoming, with the study concluding in summer 2026.
  • Artwork and Station Naming: The Financial District station will be renamed the Coleman A. Young station, with a bronze artwork commissioned. Artwork maintenance occurs every 5–7 years; the next cycle is due soon.
  • Public Restrooms and Third Space: No public restrooms exist within People Mover platforms; General Manager Howard committed to investigating options with nearby businesses. The People Mover is being used as a community space, with future events planned for the 40th anniversary (July 2027).
  • Maintenance and Technology: Track maintenance includes laser geometry cars and grinding for noise reduction. DTC is updating procurement and financial policies to align with city, state, and federal guidelines.

Key Outcomes

  • Council members expressed support for the People Mover’s free fare and expansion vision, particularly along Jefferson Avenue to serve seniors and reduce congestion.
  • Council will send additional written questions to DTC; the team will provide follow-up information on parking lot partnerships, restroom options, and expansion coordination with the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
  • No budget adjustments or votes were made; the hearing was part of the FY27 budget review process.

Meeting Transcript

Before we begin, Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Councilmember Scott Benson. I mentioned I. Councilmember Letitia Johnson. President. Councilmember Denzel McCampbell. Councilmember Renata Miller. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Councilmember Mary Waters. Present. Councilmember Angela Whitfield Callaway. Council President Pro Tempera Coleman A. Young the Second. Here, thanks for that Pro Temper on there. You're welcome. Council President James Tate. Mr. Chair, you have a corn president. Mr. President, you have a quorum present. Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it. We are now back in session. Would now like for the Detroit Transportation Corporation to come forward. And right after we're going to have the Detroit Detroit Department of Transportation afterwards. In addition to this particular budget hearing, let's see. We have the people mover as well as the transit police who's going to be joining us as well. Madam Clerk, if you can please note that we've been joined by Member Miller. Clerk was on. Thank you. Thank you. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Chair. How are you today? Doing well, doing well, and welcome and congratulations and welcome to your first budget hearing. Yes, this is exciting. I am like very excited. I am. Look, we ain't gonna talk about it right now. Yes, we are all family. Glad to have you back. And so uh being this my first through the chair, being this my first budget hearing, I am going to officially greet you all and go through my notes. Um, I I just this is this is amazing. So, yay. Okay. So um, good afternoon, honorable city council. It is a pretty it is a privilege and a pleasure to be with you today.

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