Governor, Region Leaders to Create DARTA Through Intergovernmental Agreement

It was announced today that Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and leaders from the Regional Transit Coordinating Council (RTCC), including Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Nancy White, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, have agreed to use existing laws to begin solving Southeast Michigan’s long-term regional transportation problem.

Together, they have crafted, and the RTCC has approved, an Intergovernmental Agreement between and among the City of Detroit, the RTCC, and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), to establish the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority (DARTA) to improve public transportation.

The agreement is enabled by the Urban Cooperation Act (UCA) and the Intergovernmental Transfers of Functions and Responsibilities Act (TFA).

When approved by the SMART Board of Directors and the Detroit City Council, DARTA will have the power and authority to plan, design, and coordinate the operation of an effective and efficient regional public transportation system in the southeast Michigan region. DARTA will not merge DDOT and SMART, will not impose liabilities on local government without their consent, and will not be authorized to levy taxes.

Among the specifics of the Intergovernmental Agreement on DARTA:

• DARTA will assume the functions of the RTCC, including planning and allocation of state and federal public transportation funds.
• DARTA will be the recipient of federal funds for development of the plan for this regional system.
• DARTA will work with SMART and DDOT to coordinate public transportation operations.
• DARTA will be prohibited from levying taxes.
• By March 2004, the Authority Board will retain a CEO. The CEO will administer the interlocal agreement in accordance with the plan as adopted by the Authority board.
• The CEO will manage the daily operational functions of DARTA and prepare capital and operating budgets for the Authority Board.
• The Authority will appoint a Citizens Advisory Committee, authorize the creation of community advisory councils, and establish a ridership committee to engage communities and citizens in reporting their concerns.
• The service area of the authority will include the counties of Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne, including the City of Detroit.
• Approval of this agreement will positively position the region for federal funding for startup costs for mass transportation.
• Protection for labor is provided in the agreement. The Authority is granted the right to bargain collectively and enter into agreements with labor organizations consistent with the agreement.