Skip to main content

Detroit transit authorities offer unified fare system for buses

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDoT) has partnered with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to launch a unified payment system for the US region’s buses. Detroit’s mayor Mike Duggan says: “Dart will bring our two systems closer together with seamless transfers and more flexible payments making riding transit easier for everyone.” According to the mayor’s office, riders can take unlimited rides on both systems as each pass starts on the first use for the time
May 3, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDoT) has partnered with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) to launch a unified payment system for the US region’s buses.


Detroit’s mayor Mike Duggan says: “Dart will bring our two systems closer together with seamless transfers and more flexible payments making riding transit easier for everyone.”

According to the mayor’s office, riders can take unlimited rides on both systems as each pass starts on the first use for the time period allotted. Regional passes are available for reduced fare riders – seniors, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders and young people. A Dart mobile app will allow riders to pay for travel from this summer.

Warren C. Evans, Wayne County executive, says: “Under the current system, transfers can be confusing and intimidating. Relieving that headache encourages ridership which is important to improving mobility and increasing transit options.”

Under the new system, riders purchase the following Dart passes:

  • Four-hour regional with unlimited transfers between DDoT and SMART for $2, with a reduced fare price of 50 cents for qualified riders.
  • 24-hour regional with unlimited transfers between DDoT and SMART for $5, with a reduced price of $2.
  • Seven-day regional for $22, with a reduced price of $10.
  • 31-day regional, good for unlimited rides on both systems, for $70, with a reduced price of $29. The 31-day pass will also feature a tap to pay option for easier boarding.


The four-hour and 24-hour Dart passes will be available for purchase on SMART and DDOT vehicles. All passes will be available through SMART/DDoT centres, select retail outlets, online or by post.

Related Content

  • The Middle East takes lead in urban mobility
    November 24, 2017
    Ralf Baron, Thomas Kuruvilla, Morsi Berguiga, Michael Zintel, Joseph Salem and Mario Kerbage from Arthur D. Little explain why there is much to be learned from the Middle East about the rapid evolution of transport systems. The rapid urbanisation across the globe is leading to mobility challenges as cities struggle to ensure their populations can move around freely using both public and private transport. Solving these issues is critical to ensuring that cities thrive and attract the investment and
  • Netherlands road pricing trial results released
    February 2, 2012
    NXP Semiconductors and IBM have announced the final results of a landmark road pricing trial conducted in the Netherlands, which demonstrated that with the help of technology, drivers can be motivated to change their driving behaviour, reducing traffic congestion and contributing to a greener environment.
  • Via launches Sacramento on-demand shuttle
    February 5, 2020
    Via has joined forces with the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) to deploy an on-demand shared transit network of 42 shuttle buses.
  • Tri Met and Google team up to trial virtual public transit card
    December 14, 2017
    Portland’s Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District (TriMet) has joined forces with Google to create a virtual public transit card via Android Pay. It allows riders to tap and pay their transit fare using a virtual Hop Card stored in their smartphone with Near Field Communication. The service expected to be available to users in the early part of next year following the beta launch in December 2017. Innovations in Transportation’s (INIT’s) back-end processing system, Mobilevario, serves as the