One of metro Detroit’s two main bus systems will have a new leader beginning next month after the unexpected resignation of a top official this week.
Dwight Ferrell, who came to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation in 2021, on Thursday, July 24, resigned as general manager, effective Aug. 1.
At a special meeting in Detroit, the SMART board also voted to elevate Tiffany Gunter, who had been the system’s deputy general manager and chief operating officer, to replace Ferrell. Gunter joined SMART in 2022 but has been active in transit and public policy issues for two decades.
She called the board’s decision an honor and noted that “I want to express my sincere gratitude for you entrusting me with this incredible opportunity to lead our team to a better tomorrow.”
SMART primarily serves areas not covered by the Detroit Department of Transportation, although it does operate the FAST bus express routes on key corridors into and out of downtown.
In comments to the Free Press, Ferrell described his decision to leave as a way to ensure SMART is in the best position as metro Detroit faces major public transportation campaigns ahead.
Key among those is an expected countywide vote next year in Wayne County on transit funding, after state legislators paved the way in 2024 to end the ability for individual communities to opt out, an arrangement long cited by advocates as an impediment to better transit for the region. The change at the state level followed approval of a countywide transit millage by Oakland County voters in 2022 for the first time. Macomb County had previously been the only county of the three with no opt-outs.
“SMART needs a different leader now,” Ferrell said. “This is not about me. This is about SMART. This is about setting SMART up for the future. … When it’s time to step out of the way, it’s time to step out of the way.”
Ferrell, who had previously served as head of the Cincinnati Metro transit system, said he’s had a great experience in metro Detroit and is confident he’s leaving SMART in good hands. He declined to open up about his plans for the future.
A news release from SMART said he is leaving to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with his family. The release also noted that “under Ferrell’s leadership, SMART achieved significant milestones, such as expansion of service routes, modernization of infrastructure, and improved rider satisfaction.” A number of residents who spoke during public comment at the SMART meeting this week, which was available for viewing on the organization’s YouTube page, thanked Ferrell for his service.
Still, the state of regional bus service remains a concern, according to Megan Owens, executive director of the regional advocacy group Transportation Riders United.
“We’ve have been disappointed at how long it has taken SMART to restore service reliability. Everyone should be able to depend on their bus to be there when it says and that has not been the case,” Owens said. “(SMART is) making efforts, but it’s been far too slow.”
Owens offered a solid assessment of Gunter.
“She’s spent some 20 years working on improving transit and transit service in metro Detroit and does a great job of working with a wide range of people so I think she’ll be a great leader for SMART,” Owens said.
Ferrell’s separation agreement and Gunter’s new compensation package still need to be negotiated. Ferrell’s salary is $245,980, and Gunter currently makes $217,276 per year.
Ben Stupka, executive director of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, which counts SMART as one of its partners, said in a statement that “we look forward to working together with SMART’s new leadership to strengthen and expand transit options across southeast Michigan. Collaboration is essential to building a more seamless, equitable, and reliable regional transit system, and we’re excited to continue working in that spirit.”
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This story was updated to add new information.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: SMART bus leader resigns, deputy elevated
Reporting by Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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