Committee sends walk‑on resolution to test free DDOT fares for K–12 students

The Public Health and Safety Standing Committee of the Detroit City Council on March 23 voted to send a walk‑on resolution to new business that would allow the Detroit Department of Transportation to offer free fares to K–12 students for up to six months.

The move, offered as a budget‑year pilot to collect ridership and outreach data, drew supportive questions from the vice chair and a presentation from Robert Kramer, director of DDOT. “The fair structure for DDOT is set through the city ordinance in section 47,” Kramer said. “There’s an opportunity where the council can, through a simple resolution, have a temporary change to that… it can be up to six months.” He added the temporary pilot would let the department collect information and continue community outreach with schools and families to inform any permanent program.

Why it matters: committee members and commenters described student fares as an equity and access issue. Committee discussion framed the walk‑on as an early step timed to the city’s budget process so DDOT can test operations and estimate costs before any ordinance amendment or longer‑term program.

Budget and timeline: Kramer told the committee the temporary resolution can be covered within DDOT’s current budget and would not require a separate budget amendment for the short pilot. The committee voted without objection to send the resolution to new business with the recommendation to approve; the measure will next go to the full council for consideration and any required public hearing process if council later seeks a permanent change.

Public input: the walk‑on followed public comments urging expanded free or reduced fares and other transit priorities, including proposals for transit ambassadors, paratransit expansions and shelter improvements. The committee flagged that the pilot’s success will depend on how data and school outreach are structured during the six‑month period.

Next steps: the resolution will appear on the council’s new business calendar. If the pilot proceeds and the council seeks permanence, Kramer said that would likely require an ordinance amendment and the associated public hearing process.