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DDOT Decreases Wait Times On Busiest Routes

DETROIT (WWJ) - Riders seemed happy Monday morning as the Detroit Department of Transportation launched a new service plan that has some buses running more often.

It's called the 415 Plan and includes four major routes: Gratiot, Grand River, Dexter and Woodward. Buses are to run every 15 minutes during peak ride hours (mainly morning and afternoon rush hours).  Bus fares will stay the same.

DDOT says one third of their customers use one of those four bus lines.

Detroiter Deja Franklin, who takes the Woodward bus, said service in the past has been less than steller. "They (drivers) stop and they take breaks; they go ... to McDonald's and stuff when they're supposed to be driving," Franklin told WWJ Newsradio 950's Mike Campbell.

Detroiter Lavar Edwards has also been frustrated by inconsistant service.

"Yeah, a little bit. But as long as you persistent and get up in time, you'll make it. But another hour-and-a-half, two hours sleep, that would be great," he said.

View a detailed rundown of DDOT service changes (.pdf format) -

This latest move  by DDOT comes after months and months of citizen complaints regarding lousy service.  Detroit residents reported waiting for up to three hours at bus stops while Mayor Dave Bing accused city mechanics of deliberately slowing down repairs to disabled buses and the union accused the mayor of laying off too many mechanics.

Last fall, Bing promised a swift end to the city's bus crisis after City Council members passed a resolution calling on him to step up this effort

(Read a related story).

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