Detroit approves six‑month pilot for free student fares on DDOT buses

The Detroit City Council approved a six‑month pilot on March 31 that will allow students (who show ID and are up to 18 years old) to ride Detroit Department of Transportation buses free of charge while the city evaluates ridership, safety and operational implications.

DDOT Director Russell Kramer described the pilot as an opportunity to reduce barriers to attendance and participation in after‑school activities, to test route and stop improvements and to collaborate with Detroit Public Schools Community District and charter schools on data collection. "The pilot provides a great opportunity for us to learn more about that, hear from the council, and really come back with a package of improvements," Kramer said, explaining that a permanent program would require ordinance changes and a Federal Transit Administration equity analysis. (Russell Kramer.)

Council members asked how DDOT will address student safety on buses and whether adult escorts or additional enforcement might be added on routes with concentrated student ridership. Kramer said targeted adult presence on some routes and coordination with DPD and school partners are options being considered; DDOT will use the pilot to test potential measures and collect data with schools on attendance impacts. (Russell Kramer.)

Pro Tem Young and Member McCampbell supported using the pilot to learn whether free fares reduce truancy and to explore complementary measures such as stop improvements and partnerships with youth programs. The council approved the resolution with no recorded objection in the session transcript excerpt. (Pro Tem Young; Member McCampbell.)

What happens next: The pilot will run through the summer and up to 180 days under the ordinance; DDOT will analyze ridership, work with schools to measure attendance and return with recommendations for any permanent program and required ordinance changes.