I sent the following letter to the Detroit Free Press editorial department on April 14, 2013

Re: Tom Walsh article, April 14, 2013, "Bridge is a gift we can't squander"

Dear Editor:

Tom Walsh properly points out that our region has failed to implement the most basic of transit systems to connect downtown Detroit with the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 

I am a midtown Detroit resident, and am a frequent traveler. Until a few years ago, I was able to take SMART route 125 (Fort Street) from downtown to the airport. And although the ride took approximately an hour and a half, it didn't require a transfer to a different bus. Since SMART discontinued direct service to the airport from Detroit, even that option is not available.  The lack of mass transit from the airport to downtown hotels and attractions hurts our community's ability to attract conferences, visitors, and tourists.  

I'm pleased to hear that the Convention & Visitors Bureau is finally working on a proposal to improve airport transit. A reasonably priced express bus shuttle, with hourly service, that links downtown hotels with the airport should be extremely easy to implement.  Unfortunately, the short-sighted Airport Authority and Metro Cars would probably try to derail any transit system that may curtail use of the Metro parking garages and limousine services.

I would like to encourage my professional association to hold its annual conference (attended by 1,000) in downtown Detroit in two years. But the lack of reasonably priced transit from the airport to downtown makes our City a tough sell. 

Thomas E. Page