WC Transit Authority

In 1995, the WCTA was created pursuant to Public Act 196 of 1986, as amended, for the purpose of operating or providing for the operation of a public transportation system.  In 2014, the Articles were amended to increase the total mills that may be levied from 0.6 to 1 Mill. The WCTA provides funding to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation ("SMART") for the operation of a bus system throughout Southeast Michigan. Twenty-six communities in Wayne County are members of the WCTA.  In 2024, Public Act 196 of 1986 was amended through legislation which includes all 43 communities in Wayne County as members of the WCTA by law.

Wayne County Public Transportation Millage on Tuesday, Aug. 4

The Wayne County Public Transportation Millage on the Tuesday, Aug. 4, ballot would renew and expand public transportation services for all Wayne County communities.

This millage would provide more affordable transportation options for about 350,000 Wayne County residents who have little to no options to get around if they can’t drive. It would also expand DDOT bus service, connecting Detroit residents to jobs and schools in the suburbs.

This millage contains strong fiscal responsibility and transparency measures to help ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. If you live in a suburban community that already has SMART bus service, this is a RENEWAL and you WILL NOT see an increase in your tax rate. For a homeowner who has a home worth $200,000, the average cost of this millage is $8 per month.

The following communities have either SMART bus or paratransit service:

• Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Garden City, the Grosse Pointes & Harper Woods, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Redford, Riverview, River Rouge, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Wayne, Westland and Wyandotte. The city of Detroit also receives some SMART bus service, but residents do not currently pay a transit millage.

The following communities do not have SMART bus service:

• Brownstown, Canton, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron Township, Livonia, Northville, Northville Township, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Rockwood, Sumpter Township, Van Buren, Van Buren Township and Woodhaven.

If renewing and expanding transit across Wayne County does not pass, communities with existing SMART service will lose those services (with the exception of DDOT or other local services), meaning families, seniors and people with disabilities in southeast Michigan will lose access to much-needed public transportation.

The Wayne County Public Transportation Millage will appear on the ballot during Michigan’s primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for all Wayne County registered voters. All funding from this millage is subject to independent audits, encouraging transparency and fiscal responsibility.