Only one out of every 20 Detroit bus stops has a shelter, according to an examination of city data that exposes gaps in transit amenities ahead of a push for more funding for the system. 

Detroit resident and long-time public transit advocate Ted Tansley cataloged bus stop assets using publicly available city data. Out of 5,091 bus stops across Detroit, 228 have shelters (5%) and only 77 bus stops  – or 1.5% – have benches. 

“It’s a clear reflection of the lack of institutional funding,” Tansley said. “Putting the numbers out and putting it to a visual helps people see more clearly what our situation is. You see your neighborhood, you think, ‘There aren’t any benches in my neighborhood, how can we try to get more of that?’” 

Tansley’s analysis comes as transit activists are demanding the city boost the Detroit Department of Transportation funding by $36 million for the next fiscal year, which starts in July. A coalition of organizations including unions, environmental groups and representatives are calling for DDOT funding to be doubled over the next 3 to 5 years.

Mayor Mike Duggan’s budget calls for a $20 million increase for DDOT, for a total of $209 million, with a goal of hiring more bus drivers and mechanics while adding to the number of buses on the road. The recommendation, which needs City Council approval, includes $289,967 for bus shelters. 

Right now, DDOT serves more than 250,000 passengers a week, according to the city. Duggan has set a goal of returning DDOT ridership numbers to levels sustained before the COVID-19 pandemic—roughly 440,000 passengers a week.

DDOT acknowledged that a low percentage of its bus stops have seating or shelters. However, in a statement to BridgeDetroit, the department argued focusing it’s misleading to focus on the raw percentage of stops without a shelter because 26% of bus boardings happen at a sheltered stop. In other words, the stops with higher ridership are more likely to have shelters or seating.

“This number better reflects the experience of a DDOT rider and is what we aim to improve with our bus shelter installation and replacement projects,” DDOT said in a statement. 

Michael Cunningham, a transit activist and taxi cab driver who collects donations to give out hand warmers and bus tickets, said he’s heartbroken to see people who rely on the bus forced to endure rain and cold. He said the city should set a target of 1,000 benches.

“Everywhere you go, you’ve got people sitting on the ground, in the dirt or snow, leaning on poles,” Cunningham said. “They need seats whether there’s a shelter or not. If they can find Priority Waste to sponsor the People Mover for free rides, they can find a sponsor to set up benches. Maybe we can find churches and organizations to donate.” 

DDOT plans to add 250 shelters between 2024 and 2027 along high-traffic routes and near senior communities. The City Council approved a $1.8 million contract with Brasco International to add 117 bus shelters over the next three years. 

The first phase is underway. DDOT said 24 shelters are being replaced and 36 new shelters are being added. DDOT is currently selecting sites for the second phase, which includes 100 shelters. 

“We’ve yet to determine how many shelters DDOT will have in service, but it will increase,” DDOT said in a statement. “Our goal is to create a safer, more comfortable experience riding the bus and attract more riders.” 

DDOT Director Robert Cramer said during a January community input meeting that the city can’t afford to put a shelter at every stop, but the department has a long-term plan to add more. 

“We really do care that people have shelter and a place to stay away from the snow and the elements,” Cramer said at the time. “It’s not put past us. We’re working on it.” 

In the meantime, many transit riders are left exposed to the elements while waiting for a ride. Winter weather coincides with a drop in bus use. DDOT data shows 400,000 fewer riders in December 2024 compared to October.

“We have a responsibility to our citizens who are seniors, and children, who stand at the bus stops daily in the cold and the heat,” said Warriors on Wheels founder Lisa Franklin, who advocates for people with disabilities. “It’s a shame when you drive down the street and see them waiting in the snow and you come back 45 minutes later and see them still standing at the bus stops. I want to charge everyone to pay more attention to people standing at the bus stop.” 

Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United, said Duggan’s budget recommendation is a step in the right direction but still comes up short “after decades of flat or declining funding.” Owens said reliability and frequency – buses showing up on time and more often – is a higher priority than adding shelters but is still important. 

“Shelters are less essential if your wait is only a couple of minutes,” Owens said.

DDOT Reimagined, a master plan for the future of the transit system, aims to improve the passenger experience by enhancing facilities like transit centers, connection points between routes and bus stops. The plan sets a goal of having 75% of passengers boarding from a sheltered stop. 

“Bus stops are the access points for riders to use the bus system,” the plan states. “To attract and maintain riders, bus stops need to be comfortable, safe, attractive, and well-maintained.” 

Transit riders say DDOT Reimagined can’t be implemented without more funding. Additional investment could add more frequency to routes, upgrade stops with shelters and benches, raise wages for employees and ultimately improve service for residents who can’t afford or to drive or don’t wish to. 

All but two of Detroit’s 37 bus routes serve majority Black and low-income communities. Detroit’s high auto insurance rates, low median income and lower transit investment compared to other major cities causes residents to face barriers both to car ownership and other options. 

“Something that’s been on my mind a lot the last couple of years is the reality of our aging population that’s going to always need transportation access but isn’t going to be able to drive themselves everywhere,” Tansley said. “When you talk to them about the mobility challenges, a big part is they can’t stand around at a stop for 20 minutes. If you don’t have those assets available, someone who probably shouldn’t be driving may decide to drive because they’re not feeling supported by the transportation system.” 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires transit providers to set a policy to ensure equitable distribution of transit amenities. DDOT uses a points-based system to decide shelter placement. It factors the average number of boardings, wait times, the concentration of vulnerable users, integration with recreation centers, greenways and transfer points and community requests. 

DDOT does not have an ongoing program to add benches. Any benches currently at DDOT bus stops were installed as part of a streetscaping project, created by a third-party or left over from a destroyed shelter.

“The largest financial portion of bus shelter projects is architecture and engineering,” DDOT said in a statement. “After engineering, benches can cost near the price of a shelter, which is why DDOT is currently focused on shelters.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act sets requirements for sidewalks to be clear up to a certain width, which can make installing bus amenities challenging. DDOT said a gap in bus assets Tansley found in Southwest Detroit is caused by these constraints – many locations are too narrow or too steep. 

Tansley said accessible city data is important for residents who are advocating for system improvements. 

“Building up a data skill set within the city would allow more people and activists to get involved and equip themselves with far more information,” Tansley said. “It gives you a superpower in some sort of way.”