How Much Is The People Mover In Detroit?
The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is a 2.94-mile (4.73 km) automated elevated people mover system in Detroit, Michigan (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_People_Mover). Operating since 1987, the system consists of 13 stations along a concrete single-track loop in the downtown Detroit area. The Detroit People Mover was initially designed as part of a planned citywide light rail transit system, but due to lack of funding, the larger project was scrapped and only the downtown loop was built. The People Mover operates on automated guideways and uses a fleet of 12 automated, driverless trains to transport passengers between stations. Over the decades, the People Mover has become an iconic part of Detroit’s downtown landscape and continues to provide convenient transportation for residents, workers and visitors.
Operations
The Detroit People Mover operates from 6:30am to midnight Monday through Thursday, 6:30am to 2am on Fridays, 9am to 2am on Saturdays, and from noon to midnight on Sundays (https://www.thepeoplemover.com/riding-info/schedule). The automated light rail system runs 365 days a year.
There are a total of 13 stations along the 2.9 mile elevated single-track loop in downtown Detroit. Trains arrive every 5-15 minutes, depending on the time of day. The complete loop takes approximately 15 minutes from start to finish (https://visitdetroit.com/directory/detroit-people-mover-detroit-transportation-corp/).
The Detroit People Mover provides quick and convenient transportation around downtown Detroit, connecting tourists and residents to venues, restaurants, hotels, offices, and more. Real-time arrival information is available on screens at each station.
Ridership
The Detroit People Mover opened in July 1987 and exceeded projections in its first year, with over 9 million rides logged in the first 12 months. Ridership peaked in 2002 at just over 12 million rides, according to the Detroit People Mover Wikipedia page.
Ridership declined in subsequent years as the downtown workforce shrank. In 2008, the system served approximately 2 million riders according to Wikipedia. By 2018, annual ridership was around 1.9 million rides, dropping to 1.6 million in 2019 according to reporting by BridgeDetroit.com.
The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced ridership in 2020 to just 270,000 rides before the People Mover closed temporarily according to the BridgeDetroit article. While ridership has rebounded somewhat since reopening, the long-term impacts of increased remote work and other factors on public transit remain to be seen.
Fares
The Detroit People Mover operates on a zero-fare system as of January 2, 2024. This means riders can enter and exit the People Mover stations for free, with no payment or passes required. The zero-fare pilot program will continue throughout 2024 (Fares & Passes | DPM).
Prior to the zero-fare program, the People Mover used a flat fare system. Tickets were $0.75 per ride and could be purchased at station kiosks. Day passes were $2.00 and allowed unlimited rides for one day. There were also discounted fares available for seniors, people with disabilities, and children (Riding Information: Fares | DPM).
The People Mover continues to offer discounted group rates and packages in 2024, despite the zero-fare program. There are group tickets, tour packages, and bulk token packages available for organizations and tourism groups (Passes & Tokens for Groups | DPM).
Funding
The Detroit People Mover was originally funded by a combination of federal, state, and local funding. Construction of the system began in 1987 and cost $210 million total, with the federal government providing $600 million in grants from the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now called the Federal Transit Administration). The city of Detroit provided $44 million and the state of Michigan contributed $54 million.
Today, the People Mover is primarily funded through a property tax levied on owners of real estate located within the Downtown Development Authority district. This tax generates around $12 million annually for the People Mover. The system also generates a small amount of fare revenue, bringing in around $2.7 million per year. However, fare revenue covers less than 20% of the system’s annual operating expenses. The rest is subsidized through the dedicated property tax.
In 2022, the Detroit People Mover requested $6.5 million from the city primarily to support staffing and operations. Long-term, the system estimates it will need $100 million in upgrades over the next 10 years to maintain reliable service. This shows that while the People Mover has a dedicated funding source through property taxes, it still relies heavily on subsidies from the city and occasional capital investments.
Future Expansion Plans
There are several proposals to expand Detroit’s People Mover system beyond its current 2.9 mile loop in downtown. In 2007, David Curry and Marsden Burger proposed expanding the system into a much larger “Detroit Sky Tram” that would connect downtown to Midtown, the riverfront, Eastern Market, and more. This expansion would utilize existing railroad rights-of-way and add nearly 15 miles of new track.
More recently in 2022, Mayor Mike Duggan mentioned potential expansion ideas to connect the People Mover to developments like Ford’s Michigan Central Station. Specific routes have not been confirmed, but possibilities include extensions to Corktown, the North End, and along Woodward Avenue. Funding and feasibility studies for expansions are still in early planning stages.
Many see expanding the People Mover as a way to improve public transit access between downtown and Detroit’s revitalizing neighborhoods. However, critics argue upgrades should focus first on the city’s bus network. Overall, there appears to be growing interest in upgrading and supplementing Detroit’s limited rail transit system.
Comparisons to Other Systems
The Detroit People Mover is quite small compared to most other transit systems in major U.S. cities. At only 2.9 miles long with 13 stations, the People Mover loop is one of the shortest light rail systems in the country (Detroit People Mover). For example, the light rail system in Minneapolis consists of two lines totaling 12.2 miles, while Portland’s light rail network spans 60 miles across five different lines.
In terms of daily ridership, the People Mover only serves around 5,300 passengers on an average weekday as of 2018. This pales in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of daily riders on other city’s light rail and subway systems. The METRO light rail in Houston provides over 56,000 daily rides, while the MAX light rail system in Portland serves around 119,000 passengers each weekday (Detroit: The Rise and Fall of a Public Transit System).
Given its small size and limited reach, the Detroit People Mover functions more like an elevated shuttle or airport tram than a true rapid transit system. It was originally envisioned to serve as a distributor for a much larger metro-wide light rail network that was never fully realized (Thoughts on the people mover? : r/Detroit). As a standalone system, the People Mover has faced criticism for its limited utility and high operating costs compared to the number of riders served.
Impact on Downtown
The People Mover has had a significant impact on development and transportation downtown. When the People Mover opened in 1987, it helped catalyze development in the Central Business District. According to a report by DPM, the People Mover generated millions of dollars in increased property values near stations during its first 25 years of operation (Transit-Oriented Development | DPM, 2022). This increase in property values highlights the People Mover’s ability to spur development. Additionally, the People Mover provides an important transportation link in downtown Detroit. It connects travelers to many key destinations downtown including office buildings, sports venues, museums, restaurants, and more. The 2.9 mile elevated loop allows riders to conveniently traverse downtown and not have to worry about traffic. While ridership has declined in recent decades, the People Mover still provides over 5,000 rides per day and is an integral part of Detroit’s public transportation network (36 years ago: Detroit’s People Mover begins moving people, 2023).
Criticisms
The Detroit People Mover has faced a fair share of complaints and criticisms over the years. Many have criticized it as an expensive “folly” and a “boondoggle” that has not lived up to expectations.
When first built in the 1980s, the People Mover was expected to be part of a larger regional light rail system, but those plans never materialized. As reported by the LA Times in 1985, federal transportation officials regarded it as a “transit disaster” and a symbolic failure of urban transit at the time.
Today, the 2.9 mile circular route serves only a small section of downtown Detroit. Ridership remains relatively low, at less than 10,000 daily passengers pre-pandemic. Many argue the money spent subsidizing the People Mover could be better spent on other transit projects.
According to Bloomberg, the system costs around $8 million annually in subsidies to operate. Critics contend that money could expand bus service to serve more Detroit residents. They argue the People Mover primarily serves tourists and those going to events, rather than benefiting most locals.
Additionally, the elevated concrete track is considered an eyesore by some as it loops around downtown. There are also complaints about the noise from the automated, driverless vehicles constantly looping the route.
Conclusion
In summary, the Detroit People Mover serves as a convenient and affordable transportation option for getting around downtown Detroit. With stations located near most of the major destinations, the People Mover provides easy access for workers, residents, and visitors. While the system is limited to just a 2.9 mile loop, it continues to see decent ridership numbers, transporting thousands of passengers each day.
Looking ahead, plans are in the works to potentially expand the People Mover network to connect with additional neighborhoods and proposed developments outside of downtown. However, securing funding remains a challenge. If expansion does move forward, the People Mover would be able to serve an even greater role in Detroit’s public transportation system. For now, it will continue providing affordable rides and reliable service around downtown while striving to attract more riders.
