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No Love For Detroit Bus Riders On Valentine's Day

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit bus riders said they were locked out of Mayor Dave Bing's office on Tuesday when they tried to deliver a Valentine's Day message.

Transportation Riders United Executive Director Megan Owens said bus riders want to tell the mayor that they love Detroit and they need good transit regardless of the city's budget crisis.

"It's outrageous that they're not solving these problems and they're not even willing to talk to people," Owens told WWJ Newsradio 950. "Just two weeks ago (we) requested a meeting with the mayor and we were told he was not available, or, with (Deputy Mayor) Chris Brown, who we met with three months ago, but we were told he was not available.

"On behalf of the bus riders of the community we want to know what the mayor is doing to improve this service," she said.

Last fall, after news reports of people being stranded at bus stops, Mayor Bing promised improved service within 90 days.

"Well, it's been 90 days. And, not even has the bus service not gotten better, we're now hearing that there's going to be even more cuts," said Owens.

Owens said she and her group want more information about rumored plans to eliminate some weekend and night service. "How anyone is supposed to get ahead in this community, when they can't even get around, is outrageous."

Just last week, the union representing DDOT bus drivers called on city residents to flood the mayor's office and city council members with phone calls objecting to the planned layoffs of over 160 bus drivers and 60 mechanics. (More on this here).

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