"Getting Around Detroit" Top 5 Page for this destination Detroit Transportation Tip by bilgeez

I am a native Detroiter. As others have mentioned on this site, there are two ways to get around Detroit:
CARS and CARS.
Detroit has about THE WORST public transit system IN THE WORLD!
If you must use it, here is some info on mass transit in the Detroit area:
Buses run every day but some routes the bus only comes once an hour or so. The routes are very convoluted in many cases. You can view and print out bus maps from DOT Detroit and SMART. Make sure you find out where you are going, FIRST, many drivers are not very helpful or not sure where you need to go. So asking for help from a driver may be a futile exercise.
There are two seperate bus systems; DOT which is mainly just in Detroit and SMART, which covers the suburbs. The two are not integrated and you can't just transfer from one to the other. Some SMART commuter or "express" routes go from the suburbs to downtown Detroit, but only at certain times during the week, not in the evening or on weekends. Check on this before you travel!
Cabs are realtively safe, they have to be registered and have a special tag on the trunk (boot) that indicates they are a registered taxi. The driver also has to display his license in the cab. Don't take a "cab" without these items. Even limo services must display these.
If you rent a car, get a good map, because the roads are convoluted and it is easy to get lost here.
Good Luck and enjoy Detroit and Southeast Michigan!

Mode: AROUND
othercontact: http://www.detroitmi.gov/ddot
Type: Bus
Website: http://www.smartbus.org