The hiring of more drivers, which includes a starting wage jump of $2 an hour, is part of an effort to provide reliable, timely public transit service.
DETROIT — Training will begin this month for candidates to fill more than 100 bus driver positions with the Detroit Department of Transportation, The Detroit News reported.
The hiring of more drivers, which includes a starting wage jump of $2 an hour, is part of an effort to provide reliable, timely public transit service.
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Fred Westbrook Jr., president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 26, said the rise in pay may attract some applicants, but the rate will have to increase even more to keep them. The union is seeking higher pay for bus drivers — which tops out at $16.25 — to match pay in suburban transit operations, such as $19 to start for SMART bus drivers and $23 for bus drivers in Ann Arbor. For the full story, click here.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.