World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Detroit’s public transportation system is somewhat lacking compared to other cities of equal size. Nevertheless, a dependable public bus service is operated by the Detroit Department of Transportation (D-DOT; tel: (313) 933 1300; website: www.ci.detroit.mi.us/ddot/default.htm) within the city centre. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day. Buses run as frequently as every six minutes during rush hour on some routes and about every 20 minutes at other times of the day. Adult tickets cost US$1.25 and a weekly pass is available for US$12. Transfers are available for US$0.25 and can be used to change to up to two buses.

SMART buses (tel: (313) 962 5515) service the suburbs. Major routes begin operating around 0500 and terminate after midnight. Fares cost US$1.50. Transfers cost US$0.25 and allow passengers to transfer to a D-DOT bus as well. A monthly pass costs US$47. A monthly pass for both companies costs US$49.50.

There is also a light rail system called the People Mover (tel: (313) 224 2160), which navigates a 4.6km (2.9-mile) elevated single track surrounding Detroit’s Downtown business district, Monday to Thursday 0700-2300, Friday 0700-2400, Saturday 0900-2400 and Sunday 1200-2000. Fares costs US$0.50 and a monthly pass is available for US$20. Tickets are not transferable to buses.

Taxis
Taxis are a popular form of transport in Detroit. They can be hailed on the street in the city centre. For more remote locations, taxi services can be ordered by telephone from such companies as Checker (tel: (313) 963 7000), Taxi Dearborn Lorraine (tel: (313) 582 6900) and Ace-Tell-Joy LaSalle Taxi Service (tel: (313) 531 6262). An initial charge of US$2.50 is levied, with an additional US$1.60 for each mile. For standard pick-up and drop-off services, tipping is not very common in Detroit. However, it is common to tip a driver between US$1-3 for help with directions and luggage etc.

Limousines
Chauffeur and limousine services are available from Arbor Limousine (tel: (734) 663 5959; website: www.arborlimo.com), Detroit Limousine (tel: (248) 471 0980; website: www.detroitlimo.com) and Golden Limousine (tel: (734) 668 8282; website: www.goldenlimo.com). Prices start from around US$45 per hour for a four-door sedan service.

Driving in the City
Traffic is heaviest in Detroit around rush hour (0730-0930 and 1630-1900), as workers fill the Downtown area in the morning and vacate it by evening. The freeways that connect the city centre with the outlying suburbs can become particularly congested. The city is laid out on a conventional grid system; however, this is sometimes compromised by the meandering shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake St Clair. The most important streets Downtown are Woodwind Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.

Metered street parking is available at a rate of US$0.75 per hour; however, it can be scarce during the day. Parking lots, such as the one at the Cobo Convention Center, often offer a more reliable option. Cobo Center charges US$2.25 per hour or US$6.75 per day until 1800.

Car Hire
Many car hire firms operate in Detroit, including Avis (tel: (734) 942 3450 or (800) 331 1212, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.avis.com); Budget (tel: (734) 941 3068 or (800) 527 0700; website: www.budget.com); Dollar (tel: (734) 942 4777 or (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com); Enterprise (tel: (734) 784 1912 or (800) 325 8007; website: www.enterprise.com); National (tel: (734) 941 7000 or (800) 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com); and Thrifty (tel: (734) 946 7830 or (800) 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com).

Hire charges for a small vehicle usually average about US$75 per day without any discounts and when rented from Detroit Metro Airport. Drivers must be 21 years or older and drivers under 25 may have to pay a surcharge with certain firms. Foreign drivers must possess a valid national licence, however, it is always advisable to check in advance with the car hire firm in case an International Driving Permit is required. Insurance is available from the car hire firm.

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
Cycling in downtown Detroit is not popular or advisable. However, many people do explore the park trails (tel: (800) 47-PARKS/477 2757; website: www.metroparks.com) by bicycle. One of the most scenic places to explore is Stony Creek Metro Park (tel: (800) 477 7756), which has a ten-kilometre (six-mile) Hike-Bike Trail. Bicycles are available for hire at Baypoint and Eastwood beaches daily throughout the summer.