As the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) brings in major motor vehicle companies and big names (Joe Biden, Fernando Palazuelo) there seems to be the regular disconnect between the “Detroit” as the Auto Industry (Big Three) and “Detroit” the most recent city to enter bankruptcy with a population of over 700,000. The memorable editorial headline read “let Detroit go bankrupt,” but that was a reference to the Auto Industry not the municipality and its residents. (See how different people define “Detroit” in “100 Maps of Detroit“)

Just within Wayne County where the City of Detroit is located there is a significant divide in vehicle ownership. This in the city where Henry Ford revolutionized motor vehicle production as well as motor vehicle ownership affordability. A notable difficulty in motor vehicle ownership is the high cost of auto insurance (one of Duggan’s campaign topics) in Detroit as compared to the suburbs. However, there is also a high percentage of unemployment, poverty, and low property values that only add to the difficulty for many Detroit residents to own a motor vehicle. This map demonstrates a serious need for improved and innovative public transit in the City of Detroit that also connects to the suburbs to help Detroit residents get around, get to jobs and reduces the number of cars/ traffic from the suburbs.

This is a side thought, but since a very minor amount of revenue from the Auto Industry actually benefits the residents of Detroit maybe the dollars from the private NAIAS Charity Preview could be funneled into the new Regional Transit Authority (RTA) which is in serious need of funding. Just forget the fact that promoting public transit is against the corporate interests of those who produce individualized transportation vehicles.