About the Access to Transit Program

Since the passage of the Oakland County Transportation Millage, residents across the county have shared how public transit has been a vital resource for getting around their communities. Public transportation provides reliable access to jobs, healthcare, education and other essential services. For these services to be truly effective and equitable, they must be safe and easy to access for all residents.  

The Oakland Transit Division created the Access to Transit Program to address what is often referred to as the “first mile/last mile problem”, the series of challenges associated with getting to and from public transit stops. These challenges can vary, but commonly include: 

These challenges impact all riders, especially seniors and individuals with disabilities, who regularly access transit stops. Without the proper infrastructure, like well-lit roadways and accessible sidewalks, residents traveling to and from transit stops are more vulnerable to vehicle crashes than people using other forms of transportation. Based on 2018-2022 Oakland County data, half of all pedestrian or bicyclist crashes that resulted in a fatality or serious injury happened within a 5-minute walk of a transit stop.  

The Access to Transit Program awards funds to Oakland County communities to complete projects that facilitate safer and more convenient transit experiences for residents. These improvements are essential to maximizing the use and effectiveness of the public transportation system.