View source for Detroit People Mover

{{Short description|Public transport line in Michigan, US}}
{{About|the public transport line in downtown Detroit|the people mover at [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport]]|ExpressTram}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Detroit People Mover
| image = Logo Detroit People Mover.svg
| imagesize = 100px
| image2 = Detroit People Mover approaching Millender Center.jpg
| caption2 = A Detroit People Mover train approaching [[Millender Center station]]
| locale = [[Downtown Detroit]]
| transit_type = [[People mover|Automated people mover]]
| began_operation = July 31, 1987
| system_length = {{Convert|2.94|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| vehicles = 11
| stock = [[Innovia Metro|UTDC ICTS Mark I]]
| stations = 13
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|MI Detroit People Mover total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|MI Detroit People Mover total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| top_speed = {{Convert|56|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="DPM" />
| operator = Detroit Transportation Corporation
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| el = [[Third rail]], [[linear induction motor]]
| map = {{switcher
| {{maplink-road|from=Detroit People Mover.map}} Detroit People Mover highlighted in blue <hr/ >
| Show interactive map
| {{Detroit People Mover|inline=yes}}
| Show route diagram
}}
| owner = [[#Governance|Detroit Transportation Corporation]]
| character = Elevated
| headquarters = [[Guardian Building|500 Griswold Street]], Suite 2900, Detroit
| notrack = 1
| imagesize2 = 300px
| chief_executive = Robert Cramer, Chair and CEO<br>Ernest Latham, Deputy General Manager
| website = {{URL|thepeoplemover.com}}
| alt = Detroit People Mover
}}

The '''Detroit People Mover''' ('''DPM''') is a {{convert|2.94|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Elevated railway|elevated]] [[People mover|automated people mover]] system in [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], United States.<ref name="DPM">{{Cite web |title=The Detroit People Mover – Overview |url=http://www.thepeoplemover.com/Overview.id.26.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730055100/http://www.thepeoplemover.com/Overview.id.26.htm |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=Thepeoplemover.com}}</ref> The system operates in a one-way [[Circle route|loop]] on a single track encircling [[downtown Detroit]], using [[Innovia Metro|Intermediate Capacity Transit System]] [[linear induction motor]] technology developed by the [[Urban Transportation Development Corporation]]. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|MI Detroit People Mover total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|MI Detroit People Mover total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}.

The People Mover is supplemented by the [[QLine|QLINE]] streetcar, which connects downtown with Midtown, New Center, and the [[Detroit station|Detroit Amtrak station]]. The system also connects to local buses operated by [[Detroit Department of Transportation|DDOT]] and [[Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation|SMART]], and the [[Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan|D2A2 and DAX]] commuter buses, as part of a comprehensive network of [[transportation in metropolitan Detroit]].<ref name="SEMCOGrail">{{Cite web |title=Ann Arbor to Detroit Regional Rail Project |url=https://www.semcog.org/ann-arbor-to-detroit-regional-rail-project |access-date= |website=Southeast Michigan Council of Governments}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Background ===
In 1964 the creation of the federal [[Urban Mass Transportation Administration]] (UMTA) allowed stronger investment into cities' declining transit systems. By the late 1960s there was gaining momentum for exploring new forms of transit to improve the quality of urban life, and UMTA's scope was expanded for development of such systems. In the early 1970s two [[automated guideway transit]] (AGT) demonstrators were sponsored; a "[[people mover|group rapid transit]]" concept, the [[Vought Airtrans]], at [[Dallas Fort Worth International Airport]]; and a "[[personal rapid transit]]" concept, [[Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit]], at the [[University of West Virginia]]. Additionally, four companies would receive grants to develop automated systems to be demonstrated at [[Transpo '72]]. While [[Transpo '72#AGT systems|these AGT systems]] ended up being popular with zoos, airports, and abroad, they failed to attract popularity among municipalities and planning organizations.<ref name="UMTA DPM">{{Cite web |title=The Downtown People Mover Program |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/dpmhist.htm |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=Faculty.washington.edu}}</ref><ref name=":12">Edward Weiner, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NK1qRtM-zL0C&pg=PA89 "Urban Transportation Planning in the United States"], Springer, 2008, pg. 89</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=file:///C:/WINDOWS/Desktop/Web/agrt-hist1.txt |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/agrt-hist.htm |website=Innovative Transportation Technologies |publisher=University of Washington |access-date=December 31, 2023 |date=October 8, 2004}}</ref>

=== Planning ===
In the early 1970s pressure was mounting <!--to relieve traffic woes--> for a high-capacity [[rapid transit]] network for Detroit. In early 1972 [[Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority]] (SEMTA) and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) commenced a study of such a network. During the study, it became apparent that automated people movers were useful in complimenting transit services, recommending systems for [[Downtown Detroit|Downtown]], [[Detroit Medical Center|Medical Center]] & [[Wayne State University|Wayne State]], Fairlane Town Center, [[Southfield, Michigan|Southfield]], and [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Metro Airport]]. The study, released in 1974, would ultimately see realization as the [[QLine]].<ref>{{cite report |date=March 1974 |title=A preliminary proposal for high and intermediate level transit in the Detroit Metropolitan Area |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015016524368 |publisher=Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority |location=Detroit, Michigan |hdl=2027/mdp.39015016524368 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

In 1975, following the failure to produce any large-scale development from the AGT program and increased pressure to show results, UMTA created the Downtown People Mover Program (DPM) and sponsored a nationwide competition that offered federal funds to cover much of the cost of planning and construction of such a system. UMTA reviewed thirty-five full proposals. From these, they selected proposals from Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, and St. Paul.  In addition, UMTA decided they would approve proposals from Baltimore, Detroit, and Miami to develop People Mover systems if they could do so with existing grant commitments. Of the seven cities with UMTA approval for their People Mover proposals, only Detroit and [[Metromover|Miami]] persevered to build and operate systems.<ref name="UMTA DPM" />

The Ford Motor Company was involved in one of the designs of the People Mover and had hired AlScott Service Company to design and build a room size working model of the system. This model was used for Ford's proposals in their attempt to build the system.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Ford previously developed the [[Ford ACT|ACT]], a rubber-tired monorail, which was exhibited at Transpo '72; a production version of the system ran at Fairlane Town Center in nearby [[Dearborn, Michigan|Dearborn]] from 1976 to 1988.<ref name="Fairlane">{{cite news |last1=Reindl |first1=J. C. |title=10 insane facts about the former Dearborn Hyatt |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2016/08/20/former-dearborn-hyatt-hotel-edward/89003100/ |access-date=December 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Keith |title=Fairlane Town Center |url=http://mallsofamerica.blogspot.com/2006/12/fairlane-town-center.html |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=Malls of America |language=en}}</ref>

The People Mover was intended to be the downtown distributor for a proposed city and metro-wide light rail transit system for Detroit in the early 1980s; however, funding was scaled back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillipp Oswalt |title=Shrinking Cities |url=http://www.shrinkingcities.com/fileadmin/shrink/downloads/pdfs/WP-Band_III_Detroit.pdf |access-date=September 7, 2009 |page=93}}</ref>  President [[Gerald Ford]] had promised $600 million in federal funds. Plans included a subway line along [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]] that would turn into a street level train at McNichols and eventually go all the way to [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]], with additional rail lines running along [[M-3 (Michigan highway)|Gratiot]] and a commuter line between Detroit and [[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]]. Inability of local leaders to come to an agreement led to the $600 million commitment being withdrawn by the [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Reagan administration]], though plans for the People Mover still moved forward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Felton |first=Ryan |date=March 11, 2014 |title=How Detroit ended up with the worst public transit |url=http://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/how-detroit-ended-up-with-the-worst-public-transit/Content?oid=2143889 |access-date=December 14, 2014 |website=Detroit Metro Times}}</ref> At the time of planning, the system was projected to have a ridership of 67,700 daily.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=June 6, 2000 |title=Analysis of the Proposed Las Vegas LLC Monorail |url=http://www.publicpurpose.com/ut-lvmono-0006.pdf |access-date=September 20, 2007 |website= |publisher=Wendell Cox Consultancy |page=14 |via=The Public Purpose}}</ref>

During construction, the system was initially owned by the [[SEMTA|Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority]] (SEMTA).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barron |first=James |date=November 23, 1984 |title=Flaws Slowing People Mover Project |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/23/us/flaws-slowing-people-mover-project.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 17, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It was acquired by the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) on October 4, 1985. DTC was incorporated in 1985 as a Michigan Public Body Corporate for the purpose of acquiring, owning, constructing, furnishing, equipping, completing, operating, improving, enlarging, and/or disposing of the Central Automated Transit Systems (CATS). DTC was created by the City of Detroit, Michigan pursuant to Act 7 of Public Acts of 1967 and is a component unit of the City of Detroit and accounts its activity as per proprietary funds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summary of Significant Account Policies |url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/827649DetroitTransportationCorp20101230_342148_7.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225103840/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/827649DetroitTransportationCorp20101230_342148_7.pdf |archive-date=December 25, 2011 |publisher=Detroit Transportation Corporation |page=12 |via=State of Michigan}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Virtual Board of Directors Meeting |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]]}}</ref>

=== Opening ===
[[File:Detroit People Mover crossing Jefferson Avenue, July 2003.jpg|thumb|Detroit People Mover cars in original livery, 2003]]
The Downtown People Mover opened on July 31, 1987.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McInturf |first1=Todd |title=Before the QLine: Detroit's streetcar history |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2017/05/11/before-the-qline-detroits-streetcar-history/101573428/ |access-date=January 3, 2024 |work=The Detroit News |date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103192623/https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan-history/2017/05/11/before-the-qline-detroits-streetcar-history/101573428/ |archive-date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> A ceremony was held the [[Financial District station (Detroit)|Financial District station]], with appearances by Mayor [[Coleman Young]] and People Mover supporter [[Max Fisher]]. After opening speeches and awards, Young and Fisher cut a five-foot-long cake shaped like a People Mover car, and boarded the inaugural run. The train [[ribbon cutting|broke through a green ribbon]] accompanied by the simultaneous [[balloon release|release of 10,000 balloons]], also shaped like a People Mover car. A [[block party]] was hosted below on Larned Street, and the service was open to the public by 1:30{{nbsp}}pm.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1987 |title=The People Mover |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-people-mover-details/25866061/ |access-date=February 7, 2024 |work=[[The Detroit Free Press]] |pages=14}}</ref> That weekend trains were usually packed, with passengers waiting around 20 minutes to board at some stations. Transit officials controlled crowds, encouraging only taking one round-trip to let others ride. The system carried an estimated 2,000 passengers per hour on Friday and Saturday. Rides were free for the first week, with a $0.50 fare going into effect on August 8.<ref name="Moving day">{{cite news |last1=Everett |first1=David |title=Hitches, glitches didn't derail line |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/4046034/ |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=July 31, 1987 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/4046034/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/4047543/ 15] |access-date=January 8, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name="Car No. 2">{{cite news |last1=Ray |first1=Roddy |title=Riding the People Mover rail on Car No. 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-riding-the-people-mov/138342743/ |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=August 2, 1987 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-riding-the-people-mov/138342743/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-riding-the-people-mov/138342861/ 15] |access-date=January 8, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref name="People moved!">{{cite news |last1=Everett |first1=David |last2=Blossom |first2=Teresa |last3=Edmonds |first3=Patricia |title=Train leaves station, and the city hops aboard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-people-moved/138349391/ |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=August 1, 1987 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-people-moved/138349391/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-people-mover-rolls-on/138349522/ 7] |access-date=January 8, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

In the first year, an average of 11,000 riders used the People Mover each day; the one-day record was 54,648.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2008 |title=Detroit downtown peoplemover, advanced automated urban transit |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/jbs/itrans/detroit.htm |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=[[University of Washington]]}}</ref> Originally, the People Mover System was operated and maintained by UTDC on a month-to-month basis; DTC took over operations and maintenance on November 18, 1988.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

=== Service disruptions from construction ===
On October 24, 1998, the implosion of the [[J. L. Hudson Department Store]] damaged part of the nearby People Mover track and forced the system to shut down. Limited service resumed on January 23, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit in the 1990s: Here's what it was like |url=https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/news/local/michigan/detroit/2025/02/12/detroit-1990s-historical-photos/77592676007/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref> with the system split into two lines: a "red line" running between Times Square & Millender Center, and a "green line" between Greektown and Cobo Center. Both lines were shortened by one stop in August of that year. In November 1999, the loop was restored, and [[Times Square station (Detroit)|Times Square]] station reopened.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

However, Grand Circus Park and Greektown remained closed to accommodate construction of [[Hollywood Casino at Greektown|Greektown Casino]] and the closure of the [[David Whitney Building]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=First-Arai |first=Leanna |date=2010 |title=Failed Linkages |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/120366/First-Arai_FailedLinkages.pdf?sequence=1 |journal=Agora Journal of Urban Planning and Design |issue=4 |pages=65–68 |via=University of Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Austin | first=Dan | title=David Whitney Building | website=Historic Detroit | date=February 5, 1914 | url=https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/david-whitney-building | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

Greektown station reopened in January 2000, following the casino's completion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://sfa.senate.michigan.gov/Publications/Notes/2000Notes/NotesJanFeb00Ross.PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240925023137/https://sfa.senate.michigan.gov/Publications/Notes/2000Notes/NotesJanFeb00Ross.PDF |archive-date=2024-09-25 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=sfa.senate.michigan.gov}}</ref>  In April 2001, [[Grand Circus Park station|Grand Circus Park]] reopened, restoring service to whole system.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

During construction of [[Compuware World Headquarters]], the [[Cadillac Center station|Cadillac Center]] station was temporarily closed as part of the parking structure was built around it. The station remained largely untouched and unmodified, although the entrance was slightly expanded, and a walkway to the garage was added.

In 2002, the original [[Renaissance Center station|Renaissance Center]] station was closed and demolished. This was part of a multi-year renovation of the [[Renaissance Center]], in which concrete berms in front of the complex were removed to make it more inviting to the rest of downtown. The system ran limited service due to the gap in the track during construction, leading to a drop in ridership, before the new station and track opened on September 3, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2004 |title=New entry plaza will be the end of Renaissance Center renovation |url=https://www.michiganbuildingtrades.org/newspaper/new-entry-plaza-will-be-the-end-of-renaissance-center-renovation |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Leary |first=Chris |date=July 14, 2009 |title=Detroit's People Mover: seizing the opportunity to correct a mistake |url=https://ontransport.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/detroits-people-mover-seizing-the-opportunity-to-correct-a-mistake/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=On Transport |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bodipo-Memba |first=Alejandro |date=August 26, 2004 |title=People Mover Service Returning |pages=19 |work=Detroit Free Press}}</ref> The original station's [[tile art]]work was destroyed in the demolition, though its creator, [[George Woodman]], designed a replacement work for the new station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Collections and Commissions by George Woodman |url=https://woodmanfoundation.org/george/public |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=Woodman Family Foundation}}</ref>

[[File:DPM train enters Grand Circus station.jpg|thumb|[[Grand Circus Park (Detroit People Mover)|Grand Circus Park station]]]]
The Grand Circus Park station closed for renovations on August 16, 2014, as part of renovation work in the David Whitney Building.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2014 |title=Detroit People Mover Renovating Grand Circus Park Station! |url=https://www.detroittransit.org/detroit-people-mover-renovating-grand-circus-park-station/ |website=Transportation Riders United}}</ref> A new station lobby was added with a direct entrance to the building, and an elevator was added to provide step-free access. Trains continued to operate in a one-way loop, bypassing Grand Circus Park, for most of the station's closure, though the line was briefly split into two segments (with transfers at [[Millender Center station|Millender Center]]) while part of the track was closed. The Grand Circus Park station officially reopened on June 13, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2015 |title=People Mover's Grand Circus Park Station Reopens |url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/06/13/people-movers-grand-circus-park-station-reopens/ |access-date=August 27, 2015 |publisher=CBS Detroit}}</ref> A connecting [[QLine]] station was added shortly thereafter, opening with the system in May 2017.

=== Changes in direction ===
[[File:Detroit People Mover "Clockwise & Even Faster" Poster.jpg|thumb|left|Sign informing riders of the switch to clockwise service in 2008]]
The system originally ran counter-clockwise. It changed directions to run clockwise in August 2008, following a short closure to replace sections of the track. This change in direction was intended to reduce the time needed to connect between more popular destinations. The switch to clockwise also reduced the time required to complete the loop, as the route, run clockwise, has one short, relatively steep uphill climb, and then coasts downhill for most of the route, allowing trains to use gravity to accelerate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2008 |title=Detroit People Mover Reopens and Makes Changes |url=http://www.thepeoplemover.com/resource/attach/69/DPMAug16OpeningPressReleaseFinal.doc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214114219/http://www.thepeoplemover.com/resource/attach/69/DPMAug16OpeningPressReleaseFinal.doc |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=Detroit Transportation Corporation}}</ref>

In late December 2019, the People Mover tested counter-clockwise operation. The system began running counter-clockwise on weekends in February 2020, and then returned to counter-clockwise operation full-time on March 1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abdel-Baqui |first=Omar |date=February 1, 2020 |title=Detroit People Mover to run counter-clockwise for first time in 12 years |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/02/01/detroit-people-mover-direction/4632898002/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== COVID-19 shutdown and reopening ===
The People Mover shut down on March 30, 2020, due to reduced ridership amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].

After a planned 2021 reopening was postponed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=DeJanay |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Reopening of Detroit People Mover postponed until further notice, officials say |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/09/02/reopening-of-detroit-people-mover-postponed-until-further-notice-officials-say/ |access-date=May 21, 2022 |website=WDIV |language=en}}</ref> the system resumed limited service on May 20, 2022, running six days a week, stopping at only six of the 13 stations ([[Michigan Avenue station|Michigan Avenue]], [[Huntington Place station|Huntington Place]], [[Water Square station|West Riverfront]], [[Millender Center station|Millender Center]], [[Greektown station|Greektown]], [[Grand Circus Park station|Grand Circus Park]]). [[Broadway station (Detroit)|Broadway]] and [[Financial District station (Detroit)|Financial District]] reopened thirteen days later on June 2,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Service Update June 2: Restart Information |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/view/user-news-center/26 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |website=Detroit People Mover}}</ref> followed by [[Renaissance Center station|Renaissance Center]] and [[Fort/Cass station|Fort/Cass]] on September 14,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Sept. 14 Special Notice - Partial Loop Service 7A-5P |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/view/user-news-center/33 |access-date= |website=Detroit People Mover}}</ref> [[Bricktown station|Bricktown]] on November 21,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date= |title=Detroit People Mover |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123222452/https://www.thepeoplemover.com/ |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=November 23, 2022 |website=Detroit People Mover}}</ref> Cadillac Center on May 23, 2023, and Times Square on June 26, 2023.<ref name=":4" />

To attract riders, fares were initially waived from reopening day through August,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Rahal |first=Sarah |date=May 19, 2020 |title=Detroit People Mover resumes service with free rides for 90 days |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/05/19/detroit-people-mover-resumes-service-friday-free-rides-90-days/9845878002/ |access-date=May 20, 2022 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref> and later extended through October 2022.<ref name=":3">@detpeoplemover (August 11, 2022). "[https://twitter.com/detpeoplemover/status/1557860247552786432 So, we've added more time - Free For You Thru October '22. Enjoy!]" (Tweet) – via [[Twitter]].</ref>

In October 2023, DTC announced that its administrative headquarters would move from the Buhl Building to the nearby [[Guardian Building]].<ref name=":7" />

=== System upgrades and free service pilot ===
In December 2023, DTC's board of directors approved a one-year pilot program to eliminate fares on the People Mover, supported by a large donation from a corporate sponsor. The program commenced on January 2, 2024,<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last1=Lawrence |first1=Eric D. |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Detroit People Mover to offer free rides in 2024 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/12/15/detroit-people-mover-free-rides-2024/71938100007/ |access-date=December 23, 2023 |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |publisher=[[Gannett]]}}</ref> and following an evaluation of the program, in which it was found to have increased system ridership, it was extended through the end of 2025.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=June 28, 2024 |orig-date= |title=Board of Directors Meeting |work=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]]}}</ref> Priority Waste, a [[waste management]] company based in nearby [[Clinton Township, Macomb County, Michigan|Clinton Township]], was announced as the presenting sponsor in March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fifelski |first=Anna |date=March 13, 2024 |title=The People Mover has a new sponsor familiar to Red Wings fans |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/priority-waste-logo-red-wings-jerseys-coming-people-mover |website=[[Crain's Detroit Business]]}}</ref>

Also in December 2023, DTC announced plans to acquire railcars and other surplus equipment from the [[Toronto Transit Commission]], following the decommissioning of the [[Line 3 Scarborough|Scarborough RT]], a similar system, the prior July.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Scarborough's RT trains could have a new home in Detroit, netting up to $1M |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-scarborough-rt-ttc-detroit-sale-trains-1.7064674 |website=[[CBC News]]}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Callan |first=Issac |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Detroit tables $1M-plus to buy TTC trains after Scarborough derailment |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10180276/scarborough-rt-trains-detroit-purchase/ |access-date=December 22, 2023 |website=Global News |language=en}}</ref>

The system's communication infrastructure was upgraded in early 2024, in preparation for expected large crowds during the [[2024 NFL draft]]. [[Vehicle tracking system|Realtime tracking]] was added, and each station received upgraded [[Public address system|public address]] and [[Closed-circuit television camera|video surveillance]] systems,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawson |first=Gabrielle |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Some Detroit People Mover stations to close for system upgrades - CBS Detroit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-people-mover-stations-transportation-corporation-system-upgrades/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=[[WWJ-TV|CBS News Detroit]] |language=en-US}}</ref> plus new [[Passenger information system|passenger information displays]] and [[interactive kiosk]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLenon |first=Alex |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Detroit People Mover gave 70,000 rides during NFL Draft |url=https://wdet.org/2024/05/08/detroit-people-mover-gave-70000-rides-during-nfl-draft/ |access-date= |website=[[WDET]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Darren |date=April 22, 2024 |title=People Mover primed to move NFL Draft crowds above Downtown Detroit congestion |url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/nfl-draft/people-mover-primed-to-move-nfl-draft-crowds-above-downtown-detroit-congestion |access-date= |website=[[WXYZ-TV]] |language=en}}</ref> Color-changing lights were installed on guideway support columns along Larned Street and Grand Circus Park,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=April 17, 2024 |title=Detroit People Mover unveils new lighting for NFL draft |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2024/04/17/detroit-people-mover-column-lighting-nfl-draft/73328452007/ |access-date= |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit People Mover Column Lighting Project |url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/hdc-submitted-materials/2024-04/DPM_Lighting_Project_040324.pdf |website=Downtown Detroit Partnership}}</ref> and five stations received large exterior murals as part of the Detroit City Walls public art program.<ref name=":14" />

West Riverfront station was renamed Water Square on July 23, 2025. Also in July 2025, station announcements were re-recorded, voiced by Lloyd Jackson Sr. of [[WJR]], in partnership with [[Cumulus Media]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahajan |first=Apurva |date=2025-07-23 |title=Detroit officials, private partners announce West Riverfront People Mover station's new name |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/07/23/detroit-officials-private-partners-announce-west-riverfront-people-mover-stations-new-name/85336703007/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250723174450/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/07/23/detroit-officials-private-partners-announce-west-riverfront-people-mover-stations-new-name/85336703007/ |archive-date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2025-07-24 |website=[[The Detroit News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Fares ==
[[File:DPM token.png|thumb|People Mover token]]
As of 2025, the People Mover is free to ride, with no fares charged from January 2024 onward as part of a sponsored pilot program.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=People Mover to remain fare free for 2025, offer extended hours |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2025/01/05/people-mover-to-free-for-2025-offer-extended-hours/77437035007/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref>

When fares were charged, the regular fare was $0.75 per trip, raised from $0.50 in November 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oosting |first=Jonathan |date=September 1, 2011 |title=Moving on up: Board OKs approves new 75-cent fare for Detroit People Mover |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/2011/09/moving_on_up_board_oks_approve.html |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=MLive |language=en}}</ref> Fares were paid at [[turnstile]]s with quarters, or with tokens dispensed by vending machines in the stations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit People Mover Proposed Fare Structure |url=http://www.thepeoplemover.com/resource/attach/2587/DetroitPeopleMoverFareStructure.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220434/http://www.thepeoplemover.com/resource/attach/2587/DetroitPeopleMoverFareStructure.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |access-date=October 15, 2016 |publisher=Detroit Transportation Corporation}}</ref> Children aged five and under were allowed to ride for free with a paying adult.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operating Schedule {{!}} DPM |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/riding-info/schedule#inner-content |access-date=July 17, 2019 |website=www.thepeoplemover.com}}</ref> Monthly and annual passes were sold for $10 and $100 respectively, available on the People Mover's website or at the agency's administrative office. Discounted tokens and passes were available for seniors and disabled riders.

== Cost-effectiveness and use ==
In 2006, it was reported that the People Mover cost $8.3 million annually in city and state subsidies to run,<ref name="detnews" /> and the system has drawn criticism for its cost-effectiveness.<ref name="mackinac">{{Cite web |last=Braun |first=Ken |date=December 11, 2007 |title=The Detroit People Mover Still Serves as "a Rich Folks' Roller Coaster" |url=http://www.mackinac.org/9137 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203173110/http://www.mackinac.org/9137 |archive-date=December 3, 2008 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=[[Mackinac Center for Public Policy]]}}</ref> In every year between 1997 and 2006, the cost per passenger mile exceeded $3, and was $4.28 in 2009,<ref name="speroforum">{{Cite web |last=Gantert |first=Tim |date=February 27, 2011 |title=Pricey pensions for Detroit's roller-coaster for rich people |url=http://www.speroforum.com/a/49326/Pricey-pensions-for-Detroits-rollercoaster-for-rich-people |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719022537/https://www.speroforum.com/a/49326/Pricey-pensions-for-Detroits-rollercoaster-for-rich-people |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=Spero News |publisher=}}</ref> compared with Detroit bus routes that operated at $0.82<ref name="speroforum" /> (for comparison, the [[New York City Subway]] operates at $0.30 per passenger mile). [[Edward Glaeser]], in his 2011 book, ''Triumph of the City'', referring to high cost of maintenance, calls the Mover "perhaps the most absurd public transit project in the country".<ref>{{Cite triumph}}</ref>

The [[Mackinac Center for Public Policy]] reported that according to a 2004 survey, fewer than 30% of the riders were Detroit residents and that Saturday ridership (likely out-of-town residents) dwarfed that of weekday usage.<ref name="detnews">{{Cite news |last=Henion |first=Andy |date=December 23, 2006 |title=Detroit People Mover Grows Up |work=[[The Detroit News]] |url=https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122391 |via=SkyscraperPage}}</ref><ref name="mackinac" />

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the People Mover generated about $1 million to $1.5 million in revenue annually from fares, conventions, and advertising space. In 2019, about 50% to 60% of riders were office workers in the downtown area, while others included weekend social riders, area residents, tourists, and convention-goers.<ref name=":0" />

== Expansion proposals ==
There have been proposals to extend the People Mover northward to the [[New Center, Detroit|New Center]] and neighborhoods not within walking distance of the city's downtown. A proposal was put forward by Marsden Burger, former manager of the People Mover, to double the length of the route by extending the People Mover along [[List of buildings located along Woodward Avenue, Detroit|Woodward Avenue]] to West Grand Boulevard and into the New Center area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DetroitPeopleMover2 |url=http://drcurryassociates.net/DetroitPeopleMover2.html |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=Drcurryassociates.net}}</ref> New stops would have included the [[Detroit (Amtrak station)|Amtrak station]], [[Wayne State University]], the [[Detroit Medical Center]], and [[Henry Ford Hospital]]. The plan was proposed at a tentative cost of $150–200 million, and would have been paid for by a combination of public and private financing.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Much of the proposed route to the New Center was ultimately adopted by the [[QLine]] streetcar, which opened in 2017.

== Rolling stock ==

[[File:Detroit People Mover Interior.jpg|thumb|Car interior]]
The People Mover's fleet consists of 12 automated [[Intermediate Capacity Transit System]] Mark I cars, built by the [[Urban Transportation Development Corporation]] in [[Kingston, Ontario]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detroit Transportation Corporation 01-12 |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Detroit_Transportation_Corporation_01-12 |access-date= |website=CPTDB Wiki |publisher=Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board}}</ref> The model is also used on the [[SkyTrain (Vancouver)|SkyTrain]] in Vancouver, and was also operated on the now-decommissioned [[Line 3 Scarborough|Scarborough RT]] in Toronto.

The trains originally bore a white livery with green and yellow stripes. Beginning in the early 2000s, the cars began to be wrapped with advertisements; by the 2010s, every car was adorned with an ad wrap. They usually operate in two-car trains, but are not in [[Twin unit|married pairs]], and can operate as single cars.

=== Replacement ===
DTC plans to replace its fleet with 12 [[S series (Toronto subway)|used railcars of the same model]] from the [[Toronto Transit Commission]].<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> These railcars operated on the Scarborough RT until its closure, and were extensively refurbished and upgraded in the 2010s, giving them a longer service lifespan than the People Mover's existing cars, despite being of similar age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahal |first=Sarah |title=New railcars are coming to the Detroit People Mover from Toronto |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2024/06/10/new-railcars-coming-detroit-people-mover-from-toronto/74046078007/ |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref>

The purchase of these railcars was first announced in December 2023, and also includes surplus parts to repair the People Mover's existing vehicles in the interim. Delivery and integration of the newly purchased cars is expected to take 18 months, with the first of them slated to enter service in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Track Improvement Project: Fall 2024 |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65fca21d554c8530533cb5e4/t/66a900934f03cd195f806068/1722351768846/2024+Track+Improvement+presentation.pdf |website=Detroit Transportation Corporation}}</ref>

== Operations and maintenance ==
The People Mover's operations and maintenance facility is located at the [[Times Square station (Detroit)|Times Square]] station.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Jeremiah |date=October 28, 2011 |title=Times Square (Detroit People Mover) |url=http://subwaynut.com/detroit/times_square/index.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722033410/https://subwaynut.com/detroit/times_square/index.php |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=The SubwayNut |publisher=}}</ref>  Cars enter the garage via a [[Siding (rail)|siding]], which branches off from the main line to a second platform at Times Square. This siding allows the system to be used in a two-way bypass manner when part of the circular track is closed. Maintenance equipment is lifted up to track level by crane, but not stored with the DPM cars.[[File:Detroit Transportation Corporation Headquarters.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Former DTC offices, [[Buhl Building]]]]

== Governance ==
The People Mover is owned and operated by the '''Detroit Transportation Corporation''' ('''DTC'''), a public body corporate funded primarily by, but independent of, the [[Government of Detroit|Detroit city government]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Kincade |first=Noah |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Detroit Transportation Corp. has a transparency problem, and it knows it |url=http://outliermedia.org/detroit-transportation-corp-meetings-website-accessibility/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Outlier Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

The agency is headquartered on the 29th floor of the [[Guardian Building]], near the [[Financial District station (Detroit)|Financial District station]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Board of Directors Meeting |work=Detroit Transportation Corporation}}</ref> It is governed by a six-member Board of Directors, which appoints an executive General Manager to oversee day-to-day operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile & Mission |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/about-us/company-profile-mission |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=Detroit People Mover |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]]}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=New Executives To Lead the Detroit People Mover |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/view/user-news-center/30 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310202000/https://www.thepeoplemover.com/view/user-news-center/30 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |access-date= |website=Detroit People Mover |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]]}}</ref> The Board consists of four officers from the Mayor of Detroit's cabinet, the president of the [[Detroit City Council]], and the chair of the board of directors of [[Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation|SMART]].

=== Transit Police and security ===
[[File:Detroit People Mover Transit Police 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility 233831.jpg|thumb|Transit Police patrol vehicle]]
The People Mover is patrolled by its own in-house [[Law enforcement in the United States|police]] agency, the '''Detroit Transit Police''', a division of DTC that operates separately from the [[Detroit Police Department]].<ref name=":5" /> Since July 2024, its 15 officers have been dedicated exclusively to the People Mover.<ref name=":11" />

From 2014 to 2024, the Transit Police also provided police services to [[Detroit Department of Transportation|DDOT]] buses and transit centers.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=June 2, 2016 |title=More transit officers credited with boosting bus safety |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2016/06/02/more-transit-officers-on-ddot-buses/85266160/ |access-date= |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> This contracted arrangement began in March 2014 in response to rising crime on buses, and a shortage of Detroit Police Department officers amid the [[Detroit bankruptcy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=George |date=December 18, 2017 |title=For Detroit bus passengers, fear of crime part of trip |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2017/12/18/coping-detroit-crime-buses/108710484/ |access-date= |website=[[The Detroit News]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The Transit Police also provided police services on the QLINE, beginning with its opening in 2017. Police operations on DDOT and the QLINE were transferred to the Detroit Police Department in 2024.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=George |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Detroit police plan to take over patrolling city buses amid safety concerns |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/restricted/?return=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2024/02/08/detroit-police-plan-to-take-over-patrolling-city-buses-amid-safety-concerns/72490448007/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240209042930/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2024/02/08/detroit-police-plan-to-take-over-patrolling-city-buses-amid-safety-concerns/72490448007/#selection-417.0-417.75 |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |access-date= |website=[[The Detroit News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Eric D. |date=February 27, 2018 |title=QLINE: 17 people ticketed for fare skipping last week |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/02/27/qline-17-people-ticketed-fare-skipping-last-week/376880002/ |access-date= |website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

Security patrols on the People Mover were primarily conducted by private security guards from May 2022 to July 2024. DTC initially hired Detroit-based City Shield Security Services for these operations, before switching to [[Securitas AB|Securitas]] in April 2023.<ref name=":5" />

=== Collective bargaining ===
The People Mover's control center operators, maintenance technicians, and Transit Police officers are represented by [[International Brotherhood of Teamsters|Teamsters]] Local 214;<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-23 |title=Decision and Order: Case No. C15 G-103 |url=https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/BER3/2015/20151030c15g103.pdf?rev=4906f6b1cfc04b5cad0db63ca354f988 |website=State of Michigan Employment Relations Commission Labor Relations Division}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=DTC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes |url=https://outliermedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1-26-23-Meeting-Minutes.pdf |publisher=Detroit Transportation Corporation |via=Outlier Media}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=2025-06-26 |title=Board of Directors Meeting |publisher=Detroit Transportation Corporation}}</ref> while maintenance supervisors are members of [[American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees|AFSCME]] Local 2394.<ref name=":15" />

== Ridership ==
The system was designed to move up to 15 million riders a year. In 2008, it served about 2 million riders, an average of about 7,500 people per day, about 2.5 percent of its daily peak capacity of 288,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ridership |url=http://www.apta.com/research/stats/ridership/riderep/documents/08q1rep.pdf |url-status= |website=American Public Transportation Association}}{{dead link|date=September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Luczak |first=Marybeth |year=1998 |title=Is there people-mover in your future? |work=Railway AgeIn fiscal year 1999–2000 the city was spending $3 for every $0.50 rider fare, according to [[The Detroit News]]. |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_n7_v199/ai_20996430}}</ref> In 2006, the Mover filled less than 10 percent of its seats.<ref name="detnews" />

Among the busiest periods was the five days around the 2006 [[Super Bowl XL]], when 215,910 patrons used the service.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} In addition to major downtown concerts and sporting events, other high ridership times include the week of the annual [[North American International Auto Show]] in January and the [[Youmacon]] anime convention at the end of October, ever since the convention expanded in 2012 to use [[TCF Center|Huntington Place]] in addition to the Renaissance Center. The system had 92,384 riders during the 2014 extended con weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Ericka |date=October 13, 2015 |title=DPM is the Place to Be for Youmacon 2015 – Find out why!" |url=http://www.thepeoplemover.com/dpm-is-the-place-to-be-for-youmacon-2015-find-out-why/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026021109/http://www.thepeoplemover.com/dpm-is-the-place-to-be-for-youmacon-2015-find-out-why/ |archive-date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=October 22, 2015 |publisher=DTC Marketing}}</ref>{{Div flex row| align-items=center}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Calendar year ridership<br />(Jan 1 – Dec 31)
! Fiscal year ridership<br />(Jul 1 – Jun 30)
|-
| 2001
| 2,369,915
| 2,104,832
|-
| 2002
| 1,837,807
| 2,186,526
|-
| 2003
| 1,017,243
| 1,267,927
|-
| 2004
| 953,753
| 922,644
|-
| 2005
| 1,792,924
| 1,339,646
|-
| 2006
| 2,368,361
| 2,307,909
|-
| 2007
| 2,320,433
| 2,307,774
|-
| 2008
| 2,059,714
| 2,315,395
|-
| 2009
| 2,161,436
| 1,941,501
|-
| 2010
| 2,216,800
| 2,181,440
|-
| 2011
| 2,285,358
| 2,408,131
|-
| 2012
| 2,085,487
| 2,046,444
|-
| 2013
| 2,207,333
| 2,118,301
|-
| 2014
| 2,357,520
| 2,140,066
|-
| 2015
| 2,413,414
| 2,442,031
|-
| 2016
| 2,165,352
| 2,286,383
|-
| 2017
| 2,095,415
| 2,212,662
|-
| 2018
| 1,915,173
| 1,952,505
|-
| 2019
| 1,605,283
| —
|-
| colspan=3 | Source:<ref name="About Ridership">{{Cite web |title=About Ridership |url=https://www.thepeoplemover.com/about-us |access-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref>
|}
{{Chart|definition=Detroit People Mover ridership.chart|data=Detroit People Mover ridership.tab|Width=400}}
{{Div flex row end}}

== Incidents ==
In 1990, a train derailed at [[Cadillac Center station|Cadillac Center]] after a manhole cover fell onto the track.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Robert |last2=Baldas |first2=Tresa |date=2016-05-16 |title=People Mover's first fatality is Detroit man, 53 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2016/05/16/police-man-dies-after-being-struck-by-detroit-people-mover/84433236/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 22, 2015, at approximately 10:10 PM, one of the cars jumped a rail, hitting the platform at [[Times Square station (Detroit)|Times Square]]. No injuries were reported, and the system was shut down for 17 hours for an investigation. According to a DTC press release, a bracket beneath the train dislodged and caught underneath the rear car, causing the train to disengage from the track. A door was dislodged upon impact.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Robert |last2=Lawrence |first2=Eric |date=January 24, 2015 |title=People Mover Resumes Service |url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/01/23/detroit-people-mover-reopens/22209817/ |access-date=January 25, 2015 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>

On May 15, 2016, 53-year-old Michael Whyte fell onto the track between the cars of a stopped train at Times Square. The train then departed automatically as normal, dragging Whyte along the track to his death. Following the incident, [[Bollard (traffic)|bollard]]s were added to the system's platforms, preventing passengers from falling into the space between the cars.<ref name=":1" /> Whyte's family filed a lawsuit, alleging negligence on the part of DTC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Langton |first=Charlie |date=August 10, 2016 |title=Family of man killed by People Mover file suit |url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/family-of-man-killed-by-people-mover-file-suit |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=FOX 2 Detroit |language=en-US}}</ref> Whyte's death is, to date, the only fatal accident in the People Mover's history.<ref name=":1" />

== Stations ==
[[File:Detroit People Mover 19380679382.jpg|thumb|Some station signage is translated into [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Arabic]]]]
The network has 13 stations. As the system runs in a one-way loop with a single track, each station only has one side platform, except for Times Square, which has a siding leading to the system's garage and an [[island platform]].<ref name=":2" />

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Station !!class="unsortable"| Location
|-
| [[Michigan Avenue station|Michigan Avenue]] || 1220 Cass Avenue at [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|Michigan Avenue]]
|-
| [[Fort/Cass station|Fort/Cass]] || 711 Cass Avenue at [[Fort Street (Detroit)|W Fort Street]]
|-
| [[Huntington Place station|Huntington Place]]|| inside [[Huntington Place]], 1 Washington Boulevard at Congress Street
|-
| [[Water Square station|Water Square]]|| 600 Civic Center Drive at W Jefferson Avenue
|-
| [[Financial District station (Detroit)|Financial District]] || 133 W Larned Street at Shelby Street (attached to [[150 West Jefferson]])
|-
| [[Millender Center station|Millender Center]] || inside the [[Millender Center]], 333 E [[Jefferson Avenue (Detroit)|Jefferson Avenue]] at Randolph Street
|-
| [[Renaissance Center station|Renaissance Center]] || 400 E Jefferson Avenue at Beaubien Boulevard (attached to the [[Renaissance Center]])
|-
| [[Bricktown station|Bricktown]] || 710 Beaubien Boulevard at E Fort Street
|-
| [[Greektown station|Greektown]] || 1055 Beaubien Boulevard at Monroe Street (attached to [[Hollywood Casino at Greektown]])
|-
| [[Cadillac Center station|Cadillac Center]] || 110 [[M-3 (Michigan highway)|Gratiot Avenue]] at Library Street (attached to [[One Campus Martius]] parking garage)
|-
|[[Broadway station (Detroit)|Broadway]]
|1441 [[Broadway Avenue Historic District (Detroit)|Broadway Street]] at John R Street
|-
|[[Grand Circus Park station|Grand Circus Park]]
|1 Park Avenue at [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|Woodward Avenue]] (attached to the [[David Whitney Building]])
|-
|[[Times Square station (Detroit)|Times Square]]
|1250 Park Place at [[Grand River Avenue]]
|}

=== Public art ===
Originally, the 13 stations were not planned to have any distinctive features. However, in 1984, after construction had recently begun, Irene Walt assembled a volunteer committee to persuade the project agency to include artwork in each station. Called the Downtown Detroit People Mover Art Commission (later known as '''Art in the Stations'''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Detroit public-art advocate Irene Walt dies at age 91 |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150804/NEWS/150809946/detroit-public-art-advocate-irene-walt-dies-at-age-91 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926103734/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150804/NEWS/150809946/detroit-public-art-advocate-irene-walt-dies-at-age-91 |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Crain's Detroit Business |language=en}}</ref> they raised $2 million to finance the project. As a result, there are 18 new original pieces of art spread throughout the stations, plus a piece from 1903 that had previously been in storage, on permanent loan from the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]].

The commission's efforts and art installation were documented in a 30-minute film, ''Art in the Stations,'' by [[Sue Marx]] and Pamela Conn, who had recently won an Academy Award for the short documentary [[Young at Heart (1987 film)|Young at Heart]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conn |first=Pamela |last2=Marx |first2=Sue |date=1988 |title=Art in the Stations: Detroit People Mover |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxEAGGJrOPw |type=Video |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> ''Art in the Stations'' premiered at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1989. In 2004, a [[coffee table book]] by Walt, also titled ''Art in the Stations'', was published, with photographs by [[Balthazar Korab]] and information on all the station artwork and the artists who created them.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walt |first=Irene |title=Art in the Stations: The Detroit People Mover |publisher=Art in the Stations Committee |year=2004 |isbn=0-9745392-0-1 |location=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |first= |title=Art in the Stations |publisher=Detroit Transportation Corporation |year=2006}}</ref>

Art was completed with the system opening in 1987 unless otherwise noted:
* Grand Circus Park
** ''Catching Up'' (Artist: [[J. Seward Johnson Jr]] – bronze statue)
* Times Square
** ''In Honor of W. Hawkins Ferry'' (Artist: [[Tom Phardel]] / [[Pewabic Pottery]] – glazed tile)
** ''Untitled (1993)'' (Artist: Anat Shiftan / Pewabic Pottery – tile mural)
* Michigan Avenue
** ''Voyage'' (Artist: [[Allie McGhee]] – tile mural)
** ''On the Move'' (Artist: Kirk Newman – cast bronze shape on tile)
* Fort/Cass
** ''Untitled'' (Artist: Farley Tobin – tile mural)
** ''Progression II (1993)'' (Artist: Sandra jo Osip – bronze sculpture)
* Huntington Place
** ''Calvacade of Cars (1988)'' (Artist: Larry Ebel/Linda Cianciolo Scarlett – mural)
* Water Square
** ''Voyage'' (Artist: [[Gerome Kamrowski]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mosaic Artworks by Gerome Kamrowski {{!}} Official Estate Collection |url=https://www.geromekamrowski.org/mosaics |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=gerome-kamrowski |language=en}}</ref> – venetian glass mosaic)
* Financial District
** '' 'D' for Detroit''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joyce Kozloff - Financial Station, Detroit |url=https://www.joycekozloff.net/1985-financial-station-detroit |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=joycekozloff.net}}</ref> (Artist: [[Joyce Kozloff]] – hand painted ceramic mural)
* Millender Center
** ''Detroit New Morning'' (Artist: [[Alvin D. Loving]] Jr.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alvin Loving Jr- Public Commissions |url=https://www.alvinloving.com/copy-of-commissons-collections |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=alvindlovingjr |language=en}}</ref> – painted glazed tiles)
* Renaissance Center
** ''Dreamers and Voyagers Come to Detroit''<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Woodman - Dreamers and Voyagers Come to Detroit, 1987 |url=https://woodmanfoundation.org/artworks/dreamers-and-voyagers-come-to-detroit |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=woodmanfoundation.org}}</ref> (Artist: [[George Woodman]] – ceramic tile mural; destroyed with original station's demolition in 2002)
** ''Siberian Ram (1993)''<ref>{{Cite web |date=n.d. |title="Siberian Ram" at the Renaissance Center People Mover Station |url=https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/2920 |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum}}</ref> (Artist: [[Marshall Fredericks]] – cast bronze sculpture)
** ''Path Games (2004)'' (Artist: George Woodman – ceramic tile mural)
* Bricktown
** ''Beaubien Passage'' (Artist: [[Glen Michaels]] – bas relief on porcelain panels)
* Greektown
** ''Neon for the Greektown Station'' (Artist: [[Stephen Antonakos]] – free form neon light display)
* Cadillac Center
** ''In Honour of Mary Chase Stratton'' (Artist: [[Diana Pancioli|Diana Kulisek Pancioli]]/Pewabic Pottery<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public art murals, Ceramic statues, |url=https://www.dianapancioli.com/public-art.php |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=www.dianapancioli.com}}</ref>  – tile mural interspersed with bronze plaque by [[Carlo Romanelli]] 1903)
* Broadway
** ''The Blue Nile'' (Artist: [[Charles McGee (painter)|Charles McGee]] – painted mural panels)
** ''Untitled'' (Artist: [[Jun Kaneko]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jun Kaneko - Murals |url=https://junkaneko.com/artwork/murals/ |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=junkaneko.com}}</ref> – tile)

==== City Walls murals ====
In 2024, the exterior walls of five People Mover stations were adorned with large painted [[mural]]s, as part of the Detroit City Walls public art program.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Randiah Camille |title=Detroit artists to spruce up People Mover stations with new murals |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/arts/detroit-artists-to-spruce-up-people-mover-stations-with-new-murals-35326902 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Detroit Metro Times |language=en}}</ref>
* Michigan Avenue
** ''A Peaceful Place'' (Artist: Kenyada Kelsaw – acrylic latex paint on Polytab cloth)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kenyada Kelsaw (Fel'le) |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] |year=2024}}</ref>
* Fort/Cass
** ''Slice of Life in Detroit: Homage to the Working Class'' (Artist: Nicole Macdonald – spray paint)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nicole Ariadne Macdonald |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] |year=2024}}</ref>
* Water Square
** ''Detroit Moves People'' (Artist: Nick Pizaña)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nick Pizaña |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] |year=2024}}</ref>
* Bricktown
** ''Detroit Music Love'' (Artist: Anthony Lee – enamel and spray paint)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Anthony Lee |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] |year=2024}}</ref>
* Broadway
** ''Welcome to Date Night in Paradise'' (Artist: Charles Martin Miller – latex paint on Polytab cloth)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Charles Martin Miller |publisher=[[Detroit Transportation Corporation]] |year=2024}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==

* ''Detroit People Mover'' is the title of a track by British [[electronic music]]ian [[Squarepusher]], from his 2020 album [[Be Up a Hello]]. The music video for the track was filmed on board the People Mover.<ref>{{cite AV media | title=Detroit People Mover (Official Video) | via=YouTube | date=March 6, 2024 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBbQWgoJHOM | access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Trains|Michigan}}
* [[Art on the Move]]
* [[List of rapid transit systems#North America|List of rapid transit systems]]
* [[List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership]]
* [[Metromover]]
* [[Transportation in metropolitan Detroit]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Detroit People Mover}}

== External links ==
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
* [http://www.thepeoplemover.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDmXMEFEHXc YouTube.com: On-Ride Video of the Detroit People Mover]
* [https://www.nationaltransitdatabase.org/michigan/detroit-transportation-corporation/ National Transit Database profile of the Detroit People Mover]

{{Downtown Detroit}}
{{USpplmver}}
{{Michigan railroads}}
{{Michigan public transit}}

[[Category:Detroit People Mover| ]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:ART people movers]]
[[Category:Culture of Detroit]]
[[Category:Downtown Detroit]]
[[Category:Economy of Detroit]]
[[Category:People mover systems in the United States]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1987]]
[[Category:Rapid transit in Michigan]]
[[Category:Transportation in Detroit]]
[[Category:Urban people mover systems]]
[[Category:Free public transport]]