The future of public transportation in metro Detroit could come to a screeching halt on August third. Voters in three counties will cast their ballot for a millage renewal. They will decide whether to continue SMART bus service in each individual county.
People thoroughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties rely on the SMART bus everyday to take them from point A to B. 70-percent of passengers go to and from work.
The proposal in Wayne County:
WAYNE COUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY MILLAGE RENEWAL
If approved, this proposal shall renew in 2010 the 0.59 mill levied by the Wayne County Transit Authority and allow continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, serving the elderly, handicapped, and general public of Wayne County.
Shall the tax imposed on taxable property in the Wayne County Transit Authority area which expired with the 2009 tax, be levied for four (4) years, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, inclusive, at 0.59 mill (59 cents per $1,000 taxable value), for the purpose of making contributions in aid of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) and its purpose of serving the elderly, handicapped and general public in the County of Wayne? It is estimated that 0.59 mill would raise approximately $12,158,000 when levied in 2010.
The proposal in Macomb County:
MACOMB COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MILLAGE
If approved, this proposal will renew the 0.59 mills levied by Macomb County in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and allow continued support for public transportation through a contract with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) or other public transportation authority, for the purpose of serving the elderly, handicapped and general public of Macomb County.
Shall the 0.59 mill, (59 cents per $1,000 of taxable value), increase on the limitation on the amount of taxes imposed on taxable property in Macomb County, which expired with the 2009 tax levy, be renewed for four (4) years, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, inclusive, for public transportation through a contract with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) or other public transportation authority, for the purpose of serving the elderly, handicapped and general public of Macomb County? It is estimated that the 0.59 mills would raise approximately $16.4 million when levied in 2010.
The Proposal in Oakland County:
OAKLAND COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MILLAGE RENEWAL
PRIMARY ELECTION – AUGUST 3, 2010
If approved, this proposal will renew the .59 mills levied by the Oakland County Public Transportation Authority in 2006, for the years 2006 through 2009, and will allow continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) for a public transportation system serving the elderly, disabled, and general public of Oakland County.
As a renewal of the mills which expired with the 2009 tax levy, shall the limitation on the amount of taxes imposed on taxable property in the Oakland County Public Transportation Authority area be renewed at .59 mills (59 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) for two (2) years, 2010 and 2011, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the support of a public transportation system serving the elderly, disabled, and general public of the County of Oakland? It is estimated that .59 mills would raise approximately $18 million when levied in 2010.
BELOW IS A SCRIPT TO GO WITH THE VIDEO REPORT:
Audrey has been riding SMART buses for the last four years. She's single and says it's worth it.
"This is great for me. It saves money and... it doesn't cost that much as compared to gas and the wear and tear on my car," she said.
If voters strike down the millage renewal August third, SMART will immediately lose 45-percent of its funding. That means certain bus routes would come to a dead end.
It would also inconvenience a lot of people. Passengers like Ken Wheaton, who takes the bus six days a week to go to and from work for a lawn service company.
"We're not sure what we'll do because, right now, I don't have a license and I don't drive. So, I depend on this bus," he said.
Michelle King takes the bus to the water department, where she works.
"I'd have to take another bus route. I can take a different way there, but it (would) just be longer and it wouldn't be quite as nice as this route," she said.
While many passengers find the buses useful, others don't believe the buses benefit the entire community. Bill McMaster is with the Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation. The group is opposed to any increase on property tax, especially during a time when so many homeowners are facing foreclosure.
"Most of us have not seen more than one passenger on any of these buses, and they're huge buses and they're pounding down on the streets. They smell bad. They block traffic. They serve no usable purpose," he said.
"Whichever counties approve the service continue to receive the service. If a county turns it down, that county would not
