 
Aschar76
Member
Username: Aschar76
Post Number: 45
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 3:42 pm: |    |
Can one go a week without a car in the Detroit Area ? What are the pros and cons of non-car transport. Less cash, more time & what about the safety for an inexperienced transit user. |
3420
Member
Username: 3420
Post Number: 99
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 3:51 pm: | |
I can go forever without a car in Detroit. I really don't have to depend on the car. I like catching the bus and riding the people mover around downtown or whenever I'm going around the city. Detroiters need too walk more and take advantage of the buses and people mover when gas prices are too high.
I walked from my house to downtown before. Walked from New Center to downtown just because I like looking at all the beautiful architecture from New Center too the riverfront. Detroit looks so beautiful when you walk and see whats going on. |
Jeduncan
Member
Username: Jeduncan
Post Number: 26
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 4:01 pm: | |
Yeah, it's possible... but very arduous. |
Miketoronto
Member
Username: Miketoronto
Post Number: 419
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 4:01 pm: | |
I think more people should try taking the bus to work atleast.
I am just a visitor to Detroit and even I have been able to ride the bus all the way out to Royal Oak and out to New Centre, etc. If an outsider can do it, I am sure locals can do it if they want. |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 3441
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 4:14 pm: | |
I have survived my whole life w/o a car in the D. Some days were wonderful others horrendous...
So it can be done provided the will is there to do it... |
Gsgeorge
Member
Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 57
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, December 24, 2006 - 7:05 pm: | |
don't forget bike travel. Bikes can be very useful in Detroit. Taking the side streets and going through neighborhoods is fun and there is usually very little traffic. Just one problem...finding a lock hefty enough to prevent all the theft attempts. |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 722
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 1:25 am: | |
Can you live without a car in Detroit? Sure, if you work downtown. Otherwise, it gets real dicey.
I was once without my car for a week commuting between Ferndale and Southfield. It required taking a couple bus routes, a bit of walking on roads not made for pedestrians, and almost an hour (vs. my 10 minute drive). |
Pistonian_revolution
Member
Username: Pistonian_revolution
Post Number: 64
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 1:57 am: | |
ive done it every day for two years now. but then again im a college student |
Erikd
Member
Username: Erikd
Post Number: 788
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 2:05 am: | |
It depends on what part of metro Detroit...
I live and work in downtown Detroit, so a week without using a car is normal for me.
If you live in Canton, and work in Auburn Hills, a week without a car would be very difficult. |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 2289
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 10:36 am: | |
If you're near a commuter line in Detroit or an inner ring suburb, you're okay. Mack, Jefferson. Gratiot, Woodward, etc. Thousands of people are along commuter lines, they just prefer the car culture. Just about anyone who lives in Grosse Pointe and works downtown can take a bus, but few do, because metro Detroit has been accultured to look down on public trans, and always lean on the car. One of the indicators of being middle class, in most of society and definitly around here, is having your own car. |
Fishtoes2000
Member
Username: Fishtoes2000
Post Number: 155
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 12:50 pm: | |
I could do it rather easily, but I'm a cyclist that works out of my home. For trips to Lansing, I'd have to rent a car, but there's a car rental that's about a 15 minute walk from my front door. |
Cambrian
Member
Username: Cambrian
Post Number: 456
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 12:57 pm: | |
Yes, if I'm not taking classes after work. |
Miketoronto
Member
Username: Miketoronto
Post Number: 421
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 2:49 pm: | |
The Gross Points actually have JEFFERSON EXPRESS commuter routes at rush hours. So some must take the bus downtown to work 
I think one thing that would maybe get more people onto buses is proper sinage. The last time I was in Detroit, one thing made me very nervous waiting for the bus. And that was the lack of sinage. I had no idea where to wait, untill I saw other people waiting and I asked them if the bus went downtown. SMART had zero signs anywhere at the transit centre. And it was not just me who was confused. Other riders where also wondering where the bus picked up, etc.
The sinage is not there, and that is stressfull. |
Trainman
Member
Username: Trainman
Post Number: 302
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 25, 2006 - 5:53 pm: | |
No, I'm an emergency worker. I could if I had frequent bus service between my house and work that run buses at least every half hour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and every day of the week
Including this day on Christmas. |