Washtenaw Co. could set transit plan with Wayne Co., Detroit in motion

L. Brooks Patterson might get his wish, and then some.

Washtenaw County officials appear ready to let all of Oakland County, as well as Macomb County, opt out of a regional transit system if efforts to reach agreement on a four-county plan fall through.

Washtenaw County's board of commissioners, during a special meeting Thursday, is to consider a measure that would likely authorize county staff to begin talks with officials in Wayne County, the City of Detroit and possibly other entities and conduct research on potential transit options. Officials in Wayne County and the City of Detroit said they are also ready to move forward if necessary.

The move is a response to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's remarks during his State of the County address last week that pushed back against any regional transit plan that would "force" communities into a millage vote against their will. Officials in Macomb County, the only county that is fully part of the SMART bus system, have taken their own approach, saying through a resolution that roads should be prioritized over regional transit.

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Washtenaw County Commission Chair Andy LaBarre, D-Ann Arbor, said his constituents want improvements in bus service, including connections between eastern Washtenaw and western Wayne counties, but are also very interested in regular rail service. Commuter rail between the two counties using existing Amtrak facilities had been envisioned as part of the failed RTA millage effort in 2016.

"The big thing is to connect Ann Arbor and Detroit by rail. ... We’re only a century behind on that," LaBarre said.

LaBarre said the effort would not preclude a transit deal including Macomb and Oakland counties through the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, but it would provide an option should the RTA fail. LaBarre said the effort envisioned by Washtenaw County commissioners would operate on a parallel track to the RTA.

LaBarre said that even though the measure would not authorize a vote on creating a system with Wayne County and Detroit, it is not an insignificant step. LaBarre noted that he was "very surprised" by the differences in tone and content of Patterson's State of the County address compared to what he had heard from Patterson on transit in the recent past.

"I don’t ultimately know where he’s going to end up on things, but we have a duty to at least be ready with options if RTA doesn't go forward,” LaBarre said.

More: Patterson speech draws line in the sand between suburban counties and Detroit

Despite a preference for a four-county system, the leadership in both Wayne County and Detroit are both open to a smaller system if Oakland and Macomb counties cannot be brought on board.

David Massaron, chief operating officer and senior counsel to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, released a statement signaling the city's desire to move forward on the issue.

“Regional transit is vitally important. The right answer for the region is a four-county transit system. However, on a parallel track we are willing to explore any option, including exploring a Wayne-Washtenaw partnership,” Massaron said.

Jim Martinez, spokesman for Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, said a "full regional plan is best, but if it proves not to be in the cards, we will enthusiastically talk with Washtenaw and Detroit."

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.

If you go

Washtenaw County Commissioners are to meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Board Room of the Washtenaw County Administration Building, 220 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, to discuss a resolution related to regional transit.