{"id":14217,"date":"2016-01-01T01:38:15","date_gmt":"2016-01-01T01:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/?p=14217"},"modified":"2016-01-01T01:38:15","modified_gmt":"2016-01-01T01:38:15","slug":"riding-the-future-m-1-rocketrailtoday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.challengedetroit.org\/blog\/riding-the-future-m-1-rocketrailtoday\/","title":{"rendered":"Riding the Future M-1 RocketRail\u2026Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a motorless gal in the Motor City, I appreciated the extended Fall for allowing me to ride my bike well into December. However, after getting caught in the cold rain one too many times, I decided it was time to become better friends with other forms of transit.<\/p>\n

With all the construction on Woodward for the M-1 Rail, the trademarking of potential names, and the media attention towards the project, I\u2019ve been told many times \u201cIt\u2019s too bad the M-1 isn\u2019t done. You would be a daily customer, wouldn\u2019t you?!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When I accepted Challenge Detroit, I would have told you yes I would, but that this year I was done with buses, and would have my car in Detroit. Instead, I ended up eating my words. I changed the neighborhood I choose to live in this year, so I could continue to live carless. I would work to make the bus my best friend.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

One of DDOTs new extended, bendable photos introduced this summer to highly utilized routes like the 53 Woodward. Click the photo to learn more.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Today, as we ring in 2016, I would answer that same question with a resounding no. No, I wouldn\u2019t be a daily M-1 Rail customer if it were here today. Rather I would keep on riding the BulletBus (as I like to call it) to and from work (and to as many neighborhoods as I can)! With the DDOT\u2019s 53 bus down Woodward, I can ride the future RocketRail to work today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>

Planned M-1 Rail Map<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>

DDOT 53 Woodward Map<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The future M-1 Rail will run 3.3 miles down Woodward from the Riverfront to West Grand Boulevard. It will run with traffic and follow the rules of the road. Currently, the 53 DDOT bus primarily runs down Woodward from the Riverfront to the State Fair Grounds. Buses are scheduled every 8-10 minutes during peak time on the weekdays. With both a texting platform and an app, it is easy to track your bus and find out when to be by the stop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Though I\u2019ve become more infatuated by Detroit\u2019s buses than I predicted, it isn\u2019t always roses. I\u2019ve had to wait longer than expected for the bus and had one bus driver decide they weren\u2019t going to stop at my stop that day. If you need to transfer buses, reliability decreases and not all buses run as often as the 53. Sure, the bus isn\u2019t always on time, but that happens with public transit anywhere. Though not all run as often as the 53, I continue to explore new routes and successfully commute to neighborhoods outside of downtown.<\/p>\n

That being said, Detroit\u2019s bus system is a lot more than many give it credit for and expanding (check on their proposed plans here<\/a>). Next time you are on Woodward, pay attention to all the buses passing by before you think \u2018Detroit has no transportation\u2019 or \u2018if only the M-1 construction were done so we could use it\u2019 or, if you are feeling adventurous, ditch your car and hop on the bus with the help of the following bus riding tips:<\/p>\n