By: Mary Beth Almond | Rochester Post | Published April 16, 2024
ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS — Public transit is coming to the Rochester area this month.
On April 22, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation will unveil its latest addition to the region’s network, Route 492 — a fixed bus route serving Auburn Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak and Ferndale.
Dwight Ferrell, the general manager of SMART, said the introduction of Route 492 marks “a significant milestone” in SMART’s ongoing efforts to expand transportation options and foster community connections.
“Not only will this new route offer convenience and accessibility to riders of all generations, but it will also bring tangible benefits to the communities it serves,” Ferrell said in a statement.
From educational hubs like Oakland University to popular shopping centers like the Village of Rochester Hills and Oakland Mall, and vibrant downtown districts like Rochester, Royal Oak and Ferndale, officials say the route will provide convenient access to community hubs, hotspots, amenities and attractions.
SMART has long wanted to serve the residents of Rochester and Rochester Hills, according to Bernard Parker III, the vice president of external affairs for SMART.
“With the passage of the millage in 2022, it opened the door for transit in all Oakland County communities, so SMART moved forward to develop this new route,” he said.
Before the millage passed in November 2022, Rochester and Rochester Hills were “opt-out” communities, meaning they elected not to have public transit and therefore did not pay the public transit tax.
Now that all of Oakland County is “opted-in” to the transit system, Parker III said, SMART is “thoughtfully and strategically expanding services to communities across the county,” and all county residents now pay 0.95 mill for bus service — about $95 per year for a home with a taxable value of $100,000 — plus bus fare.
In the Rochester area, Route 492 primarily runs on Squirrel, University/Walton, and Rochester Road, with bus stops approximately every quarter- to half-mile.
“The new route is ideal for Oakland University students who want to get to shopping or restaurants in Rochester or Rochester Hills,” Parker III said. “It also provides a convenient connection to Troy, Auburn Hills, Royal Oak, Ferndale and other communities across metro Detroit.”
The new route, he added, allows employers to expand their pool of employees by attracting them with public transit as a way to and from their job.
Rochester Mayor Stuart Bikson said the city is excited that public transportation is coming to Rochester.
“This new bus system will allow people to visit our city and also make it easier to work in our community and in our downtown,” he said.
The bus service, Bikson added, will benefit both residents and businesses, and will allow Oakland University students to visit the community, as well as shop and dine in downtown Rochester.
“This new service should help our city continue to be a destination city in our region,” he added.
Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said he has appreciated the communication with SMART leading up to implementation.
“We are eager to see the ridership numbers over the next few months so we can advocate for the most impactful deployment of transportation dollars moving forward,” he said in an email.
SMART, which serves all three counties in metro Detroit, currently has 44 routes and provides about 8 million trips per year.
In the future, SMART plans to add a new route along the western M-59 corridor that will serve Waterford and Wixom and will also connect to Oakland University, officials said.
Residents can download the Transit app to get real-time information on route schedules and directions. Information for the Rochester route will be available on the Transit app April 22.
For more information about Route 492 and SMART’s transit services, visit www.smartbus.org or call SMART directly at (866) 962-5155.