their services the two now appeared to be competing in a transit turf war. (see DDOT Suburban Bus Routes - 1997)
Beginning Saturday, February 1, 1997, DDOT would launch six new bus lines into the surrounding Detroit suburbs, all
operating along already established SMART bus routes. Effective that following Monday, the #26 Greenfield Spinner
became an actual DDOT bus route — basically duplicating the SMART #415/420 Greenfield–Southfield suburban
route. This route operated from the Northland Shopping Center in Southfield to Fourteen Mile Road, operating as a
two-directional "one–way" loop service. One route operated via Greenfield, 14 Mile and Southfield roads, while the other
operated in the reverse. The service required an additional $.25-cent zone fare resulting in a $1.50 fare.
Assigned out of the Coolidge Terminal, the small 19-passenger #3300–series Goshen Coach buses were primarily
assigned to the line. With service requiring a few quick trips during peak-hours no actual Greenfield Spinner runs were
Beginning Saturday, February 1, 1997, DDOT would launch six new bus lines into the surrounding Detroit suburbs, all
operating along already established SMART bus routes. Effective that following Monday, the #26 Greenfield Spinner
became an actual DDOT bus route — basically duplicating the SMART #415/420 Greenfield–Southfield suburban
route. This route operated from the Northland Shopping Center in Southfield to Fourteen Mile Road, operating as a
two-directional "one–way" loop service. One route operated via Greenfield, 14 Mile and Southfield roads, while the other
operated in the reverse. The service required an additional $.25-cent zone fare resulting in a $1.50 fare.
Assigned out of the Coolidge Terminal, the small 19-passenger #3300–series Goshen Coach buses were primarily
assigned to the line. With service requiring a few quick trips during peak-hours no actual Greenfield Spinner runs were
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| © 2009 (PAGE LAST MODIFIED ON 12-26-09) |
Click on printer icon for the Printer Friendly version
| The above map displays the one-way loop operation of the suburban DDOT route #26 Greenfield Spinner. While one coach would leave Northland Center to 14 Mile via Greenfield, the other traveled the opposite way via Southfield. |
D-DOT Route #26
| GREENFIELD-SPINNER |
The new DDOT route #26 Greenfield
Spinner began operations on Monday,
February 3, 1997. The launching of this
shuttle service began during a period
when the relations between the city–run
DDOT system and the suburban bus
operation SMART (Suburban Mobility
Authority for Regional Transporta-
tion) appeared to be somewhat strained.
Talks between the two transit agencies
to begin consolidating bus service along
Woodward Avenue had recently broken
down, and the launching of this new
"suburban" shuttle service seemed to
coincide with what the media at the time
referred to as a "bus system war." By
mid-December of 1996, the SMART bus
operation had begun picking–up and
dropping-off passengers in the city of
Detroit along seven of its major routes,
while DDOT immediately followed with
the launching of a number of suburban
shuttle routes. Instead of the two transit
agencies working together to coordinate
Spinner began operations on Monday,
February 3, 1997. The launching of this
shuttle service began during a period
when the relations between the city–run
DDOT system and the suburban bus
operation SMART (Suburban Mobility
Authority for Regional Transporta-
tion) appeared to be somewhat strained.
Talks between the two transit agencies
to begin consolidating bus service along
Woodward Avenue had recently broken
down, and the launching of this new
"suburban" shuttle service seemed to
coincide with what the media at the time
referred to as a "bus system war." By
mid-December of 1996, the SMART bus
operation had begun picking–up and
dropping-off passengers in the city of
Detroit along seven of its major routes,
while DDOT immediately followed with
the launching of a number of suburban
shuttle routes. Instead of the two transit
agencies working together to coordinate
Information for the above article was compiled from various Detroit area newspapers articles courtesy of the Stan Sycko
newspaper collection, and from the DDOT Route Update notices, route maps and bulletins archived in the author's collection.
newspaper collection, and from the DDOT Route Update notices, route maps and bulletins archived in the author's collection.
| Route operated under D-DOT |
|
ever assigned to the route — with all service operating through
peak hour tripper operation. However, effective April 11, 1997,
the Greenfield Spinner operation was assigned to runs from
other lines (a long-time departmental practice), such as route
#22 Greenfield or #21 Grand River runs being assigned to
work via the #26 Greenfield Spinner line. However, effective
September 2, 1997, operation along the Greenfield Spinner
route was once again operated as tripper service.
However, DDOT's venture into the surrounding suburbs would
be short–lived, for in January of 1998, DDOT announced that
it could no longer afford to run its buses outside of the city
of Detroit. Consequently, as part of a departmental–wide cost
cutting move — effective with the operator's pick that went
into effect on Saturday, January 17, 1998 —- the DDOT bus
system discontinued all of its suburban bus service, including its
route #26 Greenfield Spinner.
peak hour tripper operation. However, effective April 11, 1997,
the Greenfield Spinner operation was assigned to runs from
other lines (a long-time departmental practice), such as route
#22 Greenfield or #21 Grand River runs being assigned to
work via the #26 Greenfield Spinner line. However, effective
September 2, 1997, operation along the Greenfield Spinner
route was once again operated as tripper service.
However, DDOT's venture into the surrounding suburbs would
be short–lived, for in January of 1998, DDOT announced that
it could no longer afford to run its buses outside of the city
of Detroit. Consequently, as part of a departmental–wide cost
cutting move — effective with the operator's pick that went
into effect on Saturday, January 17, 1998 —- the DDOT bus
system discontinued all of its suburban bus service, including its
route #26 Greenfield Spinner.