In the upcoming general election on Nov. 8, voters in Oakland County will consider a proposal for countywide transit that will expand service to key destinations including employment centers, healthcare sites, colleges, and grocery shopping.
The countywide 0.95 mill proposal will replace the millage that supports the SMART bus system that is levied in 24 communities, and it will provide funding to three local transit providers – North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA) and the Older Persons Commission (OPC) in the Rochester area.
Did you know that SMART provides more than 3.7 million rides annually to residents in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties and in the last year, has provided more than 115,000 reservation and app-based rides in Oakland County alone.
In 2021, WOTA, NOTA and OPC provided rides to nearly 90,000 people to healthcare appointments, shopping and other essential destinations.
Public transit users Elizabeth Uren and Art Daniels talk about their experience with WOTA:
“I use public transportation for doctor’s appointments, shopping, just to get out for a while. We take public transportation here to the senior center to volunteer. People who don’t have cars still have to get to dialysis, they have to go to doctor’s appointments, they need to get out of their own space for a while, just to be social and be around people. The basics of life basically are denied if you don’t have some form of transportation.”
-Public Transit User Elizabeth Uren
The Oakland Transit Millage will expand and maintain those existing public transit services and will fund new transportation options to key areas, including major employment centers, health care campuses and local colleges and universities.
It will get vulnerable members of the community, including seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, to and from work, doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping and other essential destinations.
Public transit user Timothy Davis talks about how public transportation allows him to live independently:
“I do have a disability, but I still am allowed to live a full life and live independently; I love my friends and my family. My disability at the moment prevents me from driving, but I don’t let it stop me because I can take public transit. Public transportation allows me to be independent and free, and it’s easy for other folks with disabilities to use as well.”
-Public Transit User Timothy Davis
The .95 rate will cost the owner of a home or business valued at $200,000 (taxable value of $100,000) about $9 a month.
Funds from the millage will be fully transparent, annually audited and will support transit services that specifically benefit Oakland County residents and businesses.
To learn more about the Oakland Transit Millage, go to oakgov.com/oaklandtransit.
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