The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) — in partnership with Michigan Flyer and its parent company, Indian Trails Inc. — is launching an express bus pilot program to connect the city of Detroit with Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).

The new nonstop service — called Detroit Air Xpress (DAX) — will transport passengers between Downtown Detroit and both the McNamara and Evans Terminals of DTW.

“At the RTA, working to close travel gaps in Southeast Michigan is part of our job,” said Ben Stupka, RTA executive director. “People have been asking for an affordable and convenient way to get from Downtown Detroit to the airport. Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program, administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and a $500,000 matching grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation, this service is now a reality.”

The Detroit Air Xpress

Michigan Flyer will operate 16 daily DAX round-trips, 365 days a year, between approximately 3:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., with one-way trips expected to take 30 to 50 minutes, depending on road conditions.

Regular fares are $6 in advance or $8 at the door, and discounts are available for seniors, people with disabilities, students, and frequent riders.

Besides providing Detroiters with direct, reliable, and comfortable transportation to and from the airport, DAX will also bring thousands of out-of-state tourists and visitors into Detroit.

“RTA is providing a much-needed service with Detroit Air Xpress,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “DAX will allow more people to experience the number one ranked mega airport in North America and provide customers flying into DTW quick, nonstop access to the Motor City. It will also benefit many airport employees who rely on public transportation to get to work.”

Providing Options

The RTA’s D2A2 service makes frequent, daily round-trips that connect downtown Ann Arbor with downtown Detroit. So, because DAX will serve both the McNamara and Evans Terminals at the airport, folks from the East Lansing, Brighton, and Ann Arbor regions will have a second way to ride in style to Downtown Detroit and back.

Passengers headed to Detroit might choose D2A2 because it leaves from Ann Arbor and its stop at 1508 Park Ave. in Grand Circus Park is closer to such attractions as the Detroit Opera House, The Fillmore, Fox Theatre, Little Caesar’s Arena, Comerica Park, and Ford Field.

On the other hand, they might choose to board DAX at DTW because its downtown stop is closer to the hotel and financial districts, Rosa Parks Transit Center, DDOT, MoGo bike share, People Mover, and SMART, as well as Campus Martius Park, the Renaissance Center, and Detroit Riverwalk.

The federal and state grants are expected to fund at least one year of the DAX pilot program to help determine demand as well as possible future expansion.