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Metro Detroit’s transit gap is wide. RTA’s plan to close it is slow by design
Description

In metro Detroit, the vast majority of residents live within a 10-minute drive of a grocery store. But if you don't have a reliable car, it's a different story. Less than half of all residents can reach those same stores by walking, biking, or taking a bus. And the same pattern holds for schools and healthcare facilities. 

We need to do better at linking the city and suburbs by bus, bike, and foot. But how? Ben Stupka is the executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan. He spoke with Robyn Vincent about what the RTA hopes to accomplish this year to connect neighborhoods and people.

Published

February 11th, 2026, 06:58 pm

The Metro

Metro Detroit’s transit gap is wide. RTA’s plan to close it is slow by design

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Metro Detroit’s transit gap is wide. RTA’s plan to close it is slow by design

Published February 11th, 2026, 06:58 pm

Description

In metro Detroit, the vast majority of residents live within a 10-minute drive of a grocery store. But if you don't have a reliable car, it's a different story. Less than half of all residents can reach those same stores by walking, biking, or taking a bus. And the same pattern holds for schools and healthcare facilities. 

We need to do better at linking the city and suburbs by bus, bike, and foot. But how? Ben Stupka is the executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan. He spoke with Robyn Vincent about what the RTA hopes to accomplish this year to connect neighborhoods and people.

Share

Download

The Metro

"The Metro" covers local and regional news and current affairs, arts and cultural events and topics, with a commitment to airing perspectives and uncovering stories underreported by mainstream media in Detroit.