US Transit Chief: Metro Detroit Must 'Get Its Act Together'
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he's ready to start funding a light rail passenger line and fast bus lines in the Detroit area if state and regional officials can finally work together on ending the metro area's status as the nation's largest without mass transit.
LaHood joined Gov. Rick Snyder and Mayor Dave Bing at a news conference Monday to push Michigan legislators and regional elected leaders to break the logjam and let the rapid transit plans go ahead.
LaHood said his department will allocate millions toward rapid-transit buses on four major routes and supply $25 million toward a private Woodward Avenue rail line in Detroit if the "community can get its act together."
Snyder said he wants state legislators to enact metro Detroit's transit plans by year's end.
"When they come back after the election, hopefully this could be one of the items, the lame duck in particular, that will get done," Snyder told WWJ's Marie Osborne.
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