Detroit City Guide - Getting Around

Detroit’s public transportation system is somewhat lacking compared to other cities of equal size. Nevertheless, a dependable public bus service is operated by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) (tel: (313) 933 1300 or 1 888 336 8287; website: www.ci.detroit.mi.us/ddot/default.htm) within the city centre. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day. Buses run as frequently as every 6 minutes during rush hour on some routes and about every 20 minutes at other times of the day. A weekly pass is available. Transfers are available and can be used to change to up to two buses.

SMART buses (tel: 1 866 962 5515; website: www.smartbus.org) service the suburbs. Major routes begin operating around 0500 and terminate after midnight. Transfers allow passengers to transfer to a DDOT bus as well. A monthly pass is available. There is also a monthly pass for both companies.

A light rail system, called the People Mover (tel: 1 313 224 2160; website: www.thepeoplemover.com) navigates a 4.5km (3-mile) elevated single track surrounding Detroit’s Downtown business district, Monday to Thursday 0630-2400, Friday 0630-0200, Saturday 0900-0200 and Sunday 1200-2400. A monthly pass is available. Tickets are not transferable to buses.

Taxis are a popular form of transport in Detroit. They can be hailed on the street in the city centre. For more remote locations, taxi services can be ordered by telephone from such companies as Checker (tel: (313) 963 7000), Yellow Cab (tel: (313) 961 3333) and Greater Detroit Cab Company (tel: (313) 962 4116). For standard pick-up and drop-off services, tipping is not very common in Detroit. However, it is common to tip a driver between US$1-3 for help with luggage.

Traffic is heaviest in Detroit around rush hour (0730-0930 and 1630-1900), as workers fill the Downtown area in the morning and vacate it by evening. The freeways that connect the city centre with the outlying suburbs can become particularly congested. The city is laid out on a conventional grid system; however, this is sometimes compromised by the meandering shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake St Clair. The most important streets Downtown are Woodwind Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.

Metered street parking is available, but can be scarce during the day. Parking lots, such as the one at the Cobo Convention Center, often offer a more reliable option.

Many car hire firms operate in Detroit, including Avis (tel: (734) 942 3450 or 1 800 331 1212; website: www.avis.com); Budget (tel: (734) 941 3632 or 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com); Dollar (tel: (866) 434 2226 or 1 800 800 3665; website: www.dollar.com); Enterprise (tel: (734) 784 2119 or 1 800 261 7331; website: www.enterprise.com); and National (tel: (734) 941 7000 or 1 800 227 3876; website: www.nationalcar.com).

Drivers must be 21 years or older and drivers under 25 may have to pay a surcharge with certain firms. Foreign drivers must possess a valid national licence, however, it is always advisable to check in advance with the car hire firm in case an International Driving Permit is required. Insurance is available from the car hire firm.

Cycling in downtown Detroit is not popular or advisable. However, many people do explore the park trails (tel: 1 800 477 2757/PARKS; website: www.metroparks.com) by bicycle. One of the most scenic places to explore is Stony Creek Metro Park (tel: (586) 781 4242), which has a 10km (6-mile) hike-bike trail. Bicycles are available for hire at Baypoint and Eastwood beaches daily throughout the summer.