Detroit was one of the first cities to municipalize its transit system, and I believe that it occurred sometime in the 1920's. Most transit systems were municipalized when the private owners could no longer operate them profitably.
Well...The city did take over the private streetcar system in WW2 as part of a program of progessive socialism
John WR Detroit seems to have a bus system (or maybe 2) plus a loop elevated train down town. And it sure has a lot of financial problems.
Detroit seems to have a bus system (or maybe 2) plus a loop elevated train down town. And it sure has a lot of financial problems.
You are right, Detroit has 2 bus systems, one for the city and one for suburbs and they don't mesh well, and any town can opt out, so it's not very efficient. They have been trying to come up with a workable transit plan for years. I don't think transit was ever a priority in the "motor city". Detroit is essentially bankrupt, and the state has appointed an emergency manager.
Firelock76 Terrible and tragic. The Detroit area may be too far gone to save at this point. It certainly will never be as it was. They may have to go the route Youngstown Ohio went and bulldoze the vacant property areas into parkland or green spaces to prevent "who knows what" kind of mischief in the abandoned houses or to eradicate a massive eyesore/ wasteland area. Just too bad.
Terrible and tragic. The Detroit area may be too far gone to save at this point. It certainly will never be as it was. They may have to go the route Youngstown Ohio went and bulldoze the vacant property areas into parkland or green spaces to prevent "who knows what" kind of mischief in the abandoned houses or to eradicate a massive eyesore/ wasteland area. Just too bad.
A lot of properties. Something will have to be done about them, but they are spread out. Even where there are clusters of forclosures in an area, the majority, by a large margin , are not in forclosure.
To bulldoze the vacant property areas into parkland or green spaces does not appear to be an option.
Changed my mind
I looked at Google Maps satellite view. Whole blocks have been buldozed already. Most appear to be fenced. I doubt there is money to create parks or even maintain them as low maintenance green belts.
Also found articles on park closings. They are closing many parks and reducing park maintenance. Private funding is being sought to mitigate the problem and some has been forthcoming.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
http://whydontweownthis.com/#11/42.3525/-83.0992
You cant run a transit system if most of the homes that your going by are foreclosed and empty.
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