Detroit Air Xpress Bus Pilot Launches in Detroit with $2.5 Million Federal Investment from Biden Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Mar. 21, 2024
Contact: MichiganInfrastructure@michigan.gov

Detroit Air Xpress Bus Pilot Launches in Detroit with $2.5 Million Federal Investment from Biden Administration

Expanded regional transit service will reduce costs and increase reliability for, reduce the state’s carbon footprint

LANSING, Mich.— Residents in Southeast Michigan will soon have access to a nonstop, low-cost coach service that will connect Downtown Detroit to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The Detroit Air Xpress, DAX for short, will provide reliable, affordable and safe transportation while increasing regional economic development, reducing Michigan’s carbon footprint, and protecting public health. The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is launching the program with support from a $2 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program, administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and a $500,000 matching grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation. 

“The Detroit Air Xpress is exactly the kind of service that Michigan needs to meet the needs of folks who prefer to use transit. Better yet, by empowering Michiganders to take an express coach straight into the heart of the city, it will save people money and help meet our Healthy Climate goals,” said Zachary Kolodin, chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “I applaud the Biden Administration for creating the Carbon Reduction Program, which supplies the funding for this project, and look forward to other projects that lower costs, improve connectivity, and reduce emissions in the transportation sector.”

The downtown Detroit stop will be located on the west side of Washington Boulevard at the intersection with State Street. This is in the heart of the hotel district and steps from the Rosa Parks Transit Center, DDOT, MoGo bike share, the People Mover, and SMART. DAX will stop at both McNamara and Evans Terminals at Detroit Metro Airport. The pilot program will officially launch Monday, March 25. Tickets purchased in advance will cost $6 and tickets purchased at the time of boarding will cost $8.

“At the RTA, working toward secured funding to close travel gaps in Southeast Michigan is part of our job. People have been asking for an affordable and convenient way to get from Downtown Detroit to the Airport, and thanks to a $2.5 million Carbon Reduction grant from our federal and state partners that was administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, this service is now a reality,” said Ben Stupka, executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan.

DAX will help Michigan achieve the clean energy goals laid out in the MI Healthy Climate Plan and closely aligns the recommendations of the Growing Michigan Together Council to develop and invest in robust and reliable regional public transit systems across the state. 

“MDOT is excited to see direct public transportation between the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and downtown Detroit, as this has been needed for years,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “This important service will make Detroit more attractive for business travel, conventions, tourism, seniors, people with disabilities, and economic development opportunities.”

With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and CHIPS and Science Act, Michigan has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring transformative infrastructure, climate, and economic development to Michigan. President Biden’s Carbon Reduction Program provides $6.4 billion in formula funding for states to develop carbon reduction strategies and for projects to reduce transportation emissions, including traffic management, public transportation, pedestrian facilities, alternative fuels, and port electrification.

Michigan continues to lead the nation in bringing home federal funding investments to support transformational infrastructure projects that will create thriving communities for generations to come. To date, Michigan has received more than $9.6 billion from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve infrastructure and transit systems across the state.

For more information about MIO, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The Michigan Infrastructure Office is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.