Detroit Zoo, SMART partner for new Zoom to the Zoo bus service

DeAsia Paige | Detroit Free Press

In partnership with SMART, the Detroit Zoological Society will debut its eco-friendly Zoom to the Zoo program next month. The new transit option offers a stop at the Detroit Zoo for riders taking the SMART FAST Woodward express.

According to a press release, visitors who choose to take the SMART FAST (Frequent, Affordable Safe, Transit) service to the zoo will receive a $2 discount on admission, a free return bus ride and free fountain drinks at concessions on the day of their visit. Those visitors will also receive a free ride on the wildlife Carousel if they purchased prepaid tickets.

According to the SMART website, there are two FAST Woodward routes: 462, running between downtown Detroit and Pontiac, and 461, running between downtown Detroit and Troy. There are multiple stops on each route.

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Last year, a concern over the lack of a bus stop in front of the zoo was expressed to SMART, said Gerry VanAcker, COO of the Detroit Zoological Society.

"I sent them a letter and said that we were the largest cultural attraction in the state of Michigan, and we didn't have a bus stop in front of our attraction," VanAcker said.

The decision to implement the new service was also impacted by the closure of westbound I-696, which has been closed since April, said Beth Gibbons, Marketing Communications and Education Manager for SMART Bus.

“They (Detroit Zoo) had discussed with us their potential issue they thought would happen with I-696 closing, and wondered if we would be willing to partner with them," Gibbons said. “We met and worked with them on a promotion to help encourage people to ride the bus to the zoo."

By giving people the chance to take the bus instead of cars, Zoom to the Zoo aligns with the society's sustainability efforts in protecting the environment.

"If we can set a good example by helping people get to the zoo (by) public transportation, they will be incentivized to use public transportation in their personal lives, too," VanAcker said.

The service will run from June 1 to Sept. 30. However, Gibbons said she hopes the service is popular enough to be used in the future.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how many people take us up on a great opportunity to ride SMART to the zoo,” Gibbons said.