There must be consensus among the elected leadership of the five constituent RTA entities about the next plan and tax for it to become a reality. That's the only way Hillegonds sees a path forward with voters because Patterson and Hackel are critical to convincing elected leaders down the chain to campaign for it.

"They can be helpful with us going to city and local leaders to convey our message to voters," Hillegonds said. "Regional consensus is absolutely critical. It can't happen any other way. Frankly, we can't go forward without their support. They have veto power over everything we do."

Andy LaBarre, chairman of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, said the RTA's new strategy is wise "given the political reality in Southeast Michigan."

Because Washtenaw doesn't have an elected county executive, LaBarre has been participating in the ongoing talks with deputies from the other municipalities, colloquially known as the Big 4.

"For this to be viable politically, it's got to be a plan where the Big 4 have enough agreement that they can go to voters with something that's compromise and consensus driven," he said. "We want to see what Oakland and Macomb agree to that will work for Wayne and Washtenaw and the city of Detroit."

In 2016, the master plan was actively supported by elected leaders in Wayne and Washtenaw counties, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan backed it. The measure passed in those places.

Now, with Detroit leading an effort to entice Amazon to build its second headquarters here, and bring 50,000 jobs, talks are underway on how the region can meet the online retailer's desire for an effective mass transit system to move its workers. But Patterson and Hackel don't want to be rushed into a plan just for the sake of Amazon.

"That would be the wrong tactic for them to suggest," Patterson said. "That's the last thing I'll let happen, to be pressured into a plan."

He and Hackel both told Crain's last week they nor their deputies meeting with the RTA have any sense that the Amazon bid is fueling any need to hurry the process along.

Hackel said he doesn't believe a lack of an RTA system akin to what was pitched last year is a deal-breaker for Amazon, which is expected to narrow the list of 200-plus cities that submitted bids to a cadre of finalists before the end of the year and announce the winning city in 2018.

"I seriously doubt if they don't have the regional transit system others wanted, (Amazon) won't come here," he said. "I am one who refuses to be pushed into something because of other interest about it."

Hackel points to his county's support of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, the primary bus system for the suburbs, as evidence Macomb County favors mass transit. SMART has its own dedicated tax.

As an interim step until an RTA master plan is created, SMART has proposed to increase the frequency of the limited-stop RefleX that it has operated in conjunction with the Detroit Department of Transportation since September 2016 along the high-density Gratiot, Michigan and Woodward corridors. The proposal, which could be launched in January if it's sorted out and funded, was included in Detroit's pitch for Amazon.com's second headquarters.

Evans is optimistic about the RTA effort.

"Our teams are working together regularly. There have been productive discussions and meetings. Perhaps the sting of last year's millage defeat and collaboration around the Amazon effort will bring us to a plan we can all support," he said via an emailed statement.