[LMich]

Not good news. While, maybe they do have mechanics to spare, in a system with already lower-than-average ridership when compared to similar cities, it just doesn't make sense to continue to cut service/routes any further than they've already been cut. It's self-sabotage, a self-fulfilling prophecy:

Detroit cost-cutting plan for buses reduces mechanics, merges routes

Jan. 30, 2011

By JOHN WISELY
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Detroit's bus system has too many routes, too many mechanics and can't account for nearly a quarter of its fare box revenue -- up to $9 million a year, according to city officials looking for ways to cut costs.

The bleak picture of the system, which moves about 125,000 people each weekday, is spelled out in a plan Detroit filed in November with the state to explain how it will attack a $76-million deficit in the city's public transit fund.

The plan said about 100 of the city's 445 buses are out of service, even though there is one mechanic for every 2.5 buses -- more mechanics than many other cities and Detroit's suburban bus counterpart, SMART. A union official said the city does not keep motors and transmissions in stock to allow mechanics to keep the buses running.

The plan calls for consolidating routes, reducing the number of mechanics and getting more riders to use prepaid debit-style cards to reduce the need to handle cash.

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Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United, said she fears more cuts could leave people stranded.

"They've already cut about one-third of the service over the past five years," she said.

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A Free Press review of data provided by the city indicates a ratio of one mechanic per 2.48 buses. The numbers in the plan were based on 2009 figures and are changing, said Dan Lijana, a spokesman for Mayor Dave Bing.

Free Press research shows that Cleveland had a ratio similar to Detroit. Milwaukee has one mechanic for every 5.87 buses and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, Detroit's suburban bus system, has one mechanic for every 5.97 buses.

SMART spokeswoman Beth Gibbons cautioned against comparing the suburban system with Detroit's, which operates more in stop-and-go city traffic.

"We cover 1,200 square miles, and our passengers are on the bus for an average of 9 miles," Gibbons said. "In an urban system, it's more like 3 miles."

Stopping and starting more often leads to more maintenance needs.

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