SMART to spend $35 million on 80 new buses

Purchase comes as a result of last year’s election, where 66% of voters approved a tax increase to help the agency upgrade 135 vehicles through a four-year operating issue boost.

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September 3, 2015

SMART to spend $35 million on 80 new buses — Courtesy SMART

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DETROIT — The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit, announced that it will spend $34.6 million on 80 new 40-foot buses built by Gillig Corp., Daily Detroit reported.

The purchase comes as a result of last year’s election, where 66% of voters approved a tax increase to help SMART upgrade 135 vehicles through a four-year operating issue boost, the report said.

Because SMART previously had to get permission to use operational funding for vehicle maintenance, the tax has afforded them the freedom to work around that constraint allowing them to make the upgrades they need without the red tape, according to Daily Detroit. For the full story, click here.

Topics:funding GILLIG Michigan regional transit authority SMART Management Bus

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