FAQ

The Oakland County Public Transportation Millage helps our most vulnerable residents like veterans, seniors and people with disabilities get to where they need to go by supporting the SMART bus program and expanding transit options for Oakland County residents.

Voting “Yes” on the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage will expand and maintain existing public transit services, including transportation provided by the SMART bus system, Western Oakland Transportation Authority, North Oakland Transportation Authority and Older Persons Commission.

You will have the opportunity to vote “Yes” on the Oakland County Public Transportation millage on the Nov. 8 ballot.

This proposal would cost the average Oakland County homeowner just $9 per month to maintain and improve public transportation available throughout Oakland County for seniors, veterans, low-income residents and people with disabilities who depend on public transportation.

The Oakland County Public Transportation Millage is an affordable, transparent and accountable proposal that funds local solutions to improve public transportation for all residents.

100% of funds generated by the millage will stay in Oakland County and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote fiscal responsibility.

Every dollar collected or spent will be tracked publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and transparently.

Local service details will be developed collaboratively with members of the public, community organizations, transit providers, local governments and county leadership.

By voting “Yes” on the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage you’re helping our most vulnerable residents like veterans, seniors and people with disabilities get to and from work, school, doctors’ appointments and the grocery store.

Thousands of seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in Oakland County rely on the SMART bus because they can no longer drive or afford a car.

Supporting this millage helps low-income residents and working parents who also use the SMART bus get to and from work every day.

Voting “Yes” on the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage helps our local economy by attracting new business, connecting people to jobs and making our area more competitive. Public transportation is a vital service that helps connect doctors with patients, employers with employees and businesses with customers.

This millage helps essential workers get to critical jobs in our hospitals, grocery and retail stores, childcare and nursing home facilities around our community.

Research shows public transportation is a vital component of thriving communities with every $1 invested in public transportation creating $4 in economic output by attracting new businesses and expanding the talent pool for local employers.

This is a local, Oakland County solution to public transportation which was placed on the ballot with a bipartisan vote and is supported by elected leaders, such as Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, community groups and business groups, such as the Detroit Regional Chamber and labor organizations like the United Auto Workers Region 1,The League of Conservation Voters, The Oakland County Democratic Party, The Michigan Regional Counsel of Carpenters and Millwrights, and The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Voting “Yes’’ on the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage helps vulnerable residents in our community like seniors, veterans and people with disabilities get to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store. It also helps low-income residents and working parents get to work and school.

By supporting the public transportation millage you’re helping to boost our economy by attracting new businesses and expanding the talent pool for local employers.

Voting “Yes” on the milage funds new services to key areas, including major employment centers, health care campuses and local colleges and universities. It also expands reservation and app-based services like on-demand transportation, which is open to the general public, using small vehicles.