Lansing, Michigan – Nearly $65 million is headed into Michigan’s public transportation network, with projects ranging from new rural service to major upgrades in Detroit. The money is spread across communities large and small, targeting a problem that does not stop at county lines: getting people reliably to work, school, medical care and other essential destinations.
The first round alone totals $64,995,416, and state officials say it is only part of a broader effort to reshape how Michigan approaches transit for the long term.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the awards through the state’s Infrastructure Projects Authority Fund, or IPAF. The fund was created through Michigan’s fiscal year 2026 budget and the nearly $2 billion Sustainable Road Funding Plan adopted last year.
“From rural to urban communities across the state, these investments will help expand vital public transit services and get people where they need to go,” Whitmer said.
“As part of my plan to fix the damn roads, we’re expanding and improving public transit with new funding and a new role in state government.”
Some of the largest awards are aimed at projects that could significantly change regional travel. Detroit Transportation Corporation will receive $10 million for the People Mover 1.5 rail car project, while the Mass Transportation Authority in Genesee County was awarded $9.98 million for its Transit Without Borders initiative.
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority will receive $6.6 million for planning tied to the Washtenaw/Huron/Jackson Bus Rapid Transit project. Berrien County was awarded about $6.37 million for implementation of a county transit authority, while the Interurban Transit Partnership will receive $6 million for a downtown Grand Rapids event-night mobility project.
Other funding will support new or expanded transit in Delta, Newaygo, Roscommon, Ionia, Alpena and Ottawa counties, along with projects in Ingham, Saginaw and Wayne counties. A detailed list of the recipients provides additional information about individual awards.
The administration is also changing how transit is coordinated at the state level. The Michigan Department of Transportation will create a new position focused on coordinating transit and rail operations, with additional actions expected to improve cooperation across state government on multimodal transportation.
IPAF is administered by MDOT and provides dedicated, long-term capital for public transportation. State officials said this first round is intended to close service gaps, improve connections between counties and modernize transit systems and technology as Michigan plans for future transportation needs.