Changes Delay, Frustrate SMART Bus Passengers

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WJBK) - It's been a day of delays and frustration for people who rely on the SMART bus system. Cuts and changes in routes have left many passengers stranded out in the cold.

The changes are taking a toll on people's plans. SMART has cut 15 bus routes and laid off 123 workers. They have also stopped taking riders into Detroit except for peak weekday hours. If you work nights or have night classes in the city, you're out of luck.

Many people we caught up with were wondering how they're going to get to where they need to go.

"It's going to inconvenience people as long as everybody keeps wanting more and more money. Everybody needs to take a little cut across the entire board and keep the system running how it was," said Ed Pickle. "All they're doing is throwing everybody off, going to make people late for work, make people late for other appointments."

"We can't do [anything] about it. I mean, we're just trying to get to work. That it," said Ken Travir.

Why is SMART making these cuts now during tough economic times? The bus system expects a 12 percent drop in revenue from taxes come next year.

As for a long term solution, some ideas include creating a regional transit authority that would also encompass a light rail system, as well as instituting a regional sales tax.

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SMART Bus Cuts Take Effect Monday