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NFL draft: New service details released about Detroit public transit options
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- NFL draft: New service details released about Detroit public transit options
It is about 30 days until the 2024 NFL draft comes to Detroit and if you're looking for non-driving options to get around town, you're in luck. Detroit has a streetcar, elevated rail system, bike share and buses.
With road closures expected in and around the key draft sites downtown — the draft footprint is expected to take up 2 million square feet of space from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza April 25-27 — here's what you (and the more than 300,000 people who are expected to attend) need to know about public transportation, with updated travel information below provided by the city and others:
Detroit has multiple options for getting around downtown, such as the Detroit People Mover.
Getting to and from Detroit Metro Airport
DAX (Detroit Air Express) : This service began on Monday, connecting downtown and the airport. It's a partnership between the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan and Michigan Flyer and parent company Indian Trails. The service plans 16 round trips per day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. with $6 advance fares or $8 at the bus. The bus stops downtown near 1119 Washington Blvd. (between Michigan Avenue and State Street) and at the airport, at Departures at the McNamara Terminal and Ground Transportation at the Evans Terminal.
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More: Shuttle bus from downtown Detroit to Metro Airport to begin service in March
Getting around downtown
Detroit People Mover : This elevated rail system operates on a 2.9-mile loop around downtown. It's free to use this year. It'll operate on an extended schedule during the draft, 24 hours a day from 7 a.m. on April 25 through 12 a.m. on April 28 with trains "up to every five minutes." All 13 stations are scheduled to be open. Financial District and Millender Center stops are near the draft footprint entry points.
More: Detroit People Mover gets a new look from city planners
QLINE : Detroit's streetcar system, which is free to use, usually runs a 3.3-mile route on Woodward, connecting downtown to stops near New Center and the city's Amtrak station, but the route will be shortened during the draft, although with more frequency planned. Service to and from downtown will stop at Campus Martius between April 8 and 19 and at Sproat Street near Little Caesar's Arena between April 20 and 30, and riders can walk down Woodward or transfer to the People Mover at Grand Circus to get to the entry points. Hours will be 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
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MoGo bikes:Detroit's MoGo bike share system has lots of stations around downtown and offers a variety of pass options, including the $15 Explore the City pass. Try the smartphone Transit App or the station touchscreens to purchase.
Bus options both downtown, and from the suburbs
DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) plans modified downtown routes as a result of road closures during the Draft. From 8 p.m. on April 23 to 6 a.m. on April 29, DDOT buses from the east side will stop at the People Mover's Bricktown station and buses from the west side will stop at the Rosa Parks Transit Center on Cass Avenue at Michigan Avenue.
SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) plans park-and-ride services to and from downtown and numerous locations including Great Lakes Crossing, Oakland County Community College and several Meijer stores. Limited-stop, express SMART Fast buses operate on Gratiot, Michigan and Woodward avenues.
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Riders can purchase a regular fare Dart pass (available on the Token Transit smartphone app) for unlimited rides on DDOT and SMART buses. Options include $2 for four hours, $5 for 24 or $22 for seven days. More details on routes for both systems are expected to be released closer to the draft.
More: New Detroit transit center to be named for DDOT driver who died after COVID-19 warning
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL draft: New details released about getting around town
