Occupy Detroit Transit

Meet Melia Howard, our February DPM Champion! Melia is the General Manager of the Detroit People Mover, bringing a people-first approach to public service and mobility in Downtown Detroit. 🙌

A lifelong Detroiter, Melia brings deep leadership experience in public administration, civic engagement, and facilitating major development work across the city, including projects like the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI), the Fisher Body 21 building, and affordable housing initiatives. Prior to stepping into her new role with us, she served Detroit as Deputy Mayor, Director of Community Engagement, and District 5 Manager.

In this next chapter, Melia is focused on strengthening the People Mover’s impact through mobility, access, and opportunity, helping Detroiters and visitors move through the city with ease.

We’re honored to recognize Melia Howard as our next official Detroit People Mover Champion. ⭐

Stay tuned as we share more about Melia and why she is an integral part of Detroit’s story and future.

Read Melia’s full interview here: https://www.thepeoplemover.com/detroit-people-mover-champions

Wednesday January 21

***THIS MONTH’S SOUNDING BOARD HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21st 2026****
We’d love to hear from you next Wednesday. To join or get more information, please click the link in bio.⁠
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2025 was a year of progress and continued regional collaboration for transit in Southeast Michigan. In 2026, we’re looking forward to even stronger connections across our communities. When you get on board, "you'll enjoy the view of a region that's moving in the right direction."

Read more from Ben Stupka, Executive Director for the RTA: https://www.rtamichigan.org/rta-news/stupka-transit-knits-southeast-michigan-together

We have multiple volunteer meetings, and two events over the next two weeks. Care about transit in Detroit or Michigan? Now's your chance to get involved!

On Thursday, Jan 15th at 6:30pm, we'll have our general volunteer meeting. Get a high level overview of all our campaigns, and learn how you can get involved! We highly recommend this meeting for anyone interested in any issue, or just learning more about TRU as an organization.

The following week, we have our statewide transit committee meeting (Wednesday, Jan 21st at 6pm) and our Wayne County transit task force (Thursday, Jan 22 at 6pm). Our statewide committee goes over statewide transit issues like cross-state transit, Amtrak, Greyhound, and state transit policy, and our Wayne County committee is organizing for the Wayne countywide millage next August. Both are open to anyone interstred!

If you have time on the 27th, we'd appreciate helping hands at our State of Transit! We rely on volunteers to make sure the event runs smoothly.

And we'll be canvassing for Wayne countywide transit at the Plymouth Ice Festival on the 31st. No experience required!

Check out DetroitTransit.org/Events to learn how YOU can contribute to transit advocacy, and get involved today!

Sign the Petition Downriver bus hub at risk - keep the Southland bus stop open!

This Election Day, let SMART take you to the polls!⁠
We’re offering free rides to all riders on Tuesday, November 4, to help you get to your polling place safely and on time.⁠
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We can’t wait to see you on board!⁠
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More than 1,000 HHS workers demand Kennedy resignation over CDC director firing and agency changes