Free Rides & Extended Hours Continue on the Detroit People Mover Through 2025!
The Detroit People Mover announced on Sunday, Jan. 5, that it will continue offering free fares and operating extended hours in the new year. Corporate sponsor Priority Waste is covering both parts of the service amid upgrades planned by the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC), which runs the People Mover, to improve the rider experience.
In 2024, People Mover set a record for ridership of 1 million people — the first time this milestone has been reached since 2019. The transportation services organization has also permanently changed its weekday operating hours. Its service runs from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Eric B. Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, oversees the city’s downtown parks and told The Detroit News, “anytime there is greater access and equity within our transportation system, it enhances our community and drives additional activity in the Downtown.” Larson didn’t indicate whether his organization has observed increased foot traffic in downtown Detroit with the extended People Mover service hours.
People Mover’s switch to free fares with support from a presenting sponsor was a 2024 pilot program. With the Priority Waste sponsorship, its services will remain free through 2025, but the DTC hopes to make its free fares a permanent fixture.
As 2025 begins, People Mover is facing changes in leadership after former general manager Robert Cramer accepted a position offer in December 2024 to lead the Detroit Department of Transportation beginning Monday, Jan. 6. A DTC spokesperson confirmed that Cramer’s last day on the job at People Mover was Sunday, Jan. 5. The spokesperson confirmed that he is not immediately being replaced at People Mover.
