Detroit’s DAX Shuttle: New Airport – Downtown Route for NFL Draft
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) announced that a new shuttle service between Downtown Detroit and Detroit Metro Airport will begin on March 25. The DAX pilot program (Detroit Air Xpress) comes ahead of the NFL Draft in late April, which is perfect timing for those traveling into Detroit.
The shuttle service will have 16 round trips per day to and from the airport, with stops at both the Evans and McNamara terminals. It will run from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and pick up downtown on the west side of Washington Boulevard, near State Street (between Michigan and Grand River).
The last shuttle leaves DTW’s McNamara Terminal at 10:40 p.m., dropping off in Detroit at 11:10 p.m.
Overall, People Are Excited For The New Shuttle
After the RTA shared the news on Facebook, people shared their thoughts in the comments. “Bet I am going to use it on my two business trips in April,” one person said. Another person chimed in, saying, “Finally! I’ve been waiting for this to materialize.” They continued, “Rideshares from DTW to Downtown often surge to >$70, and the SMART Fast Bus is a hard sell due to its lengthy hour+ one-way trips and limited schedules.”
Some people still have questions and concerns regarding the new shuttle. One person said, “This needs to be expanded to Warren and Sterling Heights.” Another hope is that it will expand to Pontiac, Mt Clemens, and Ann Arbor, with “dedicated stations and parking garages.” Some people took to the comments to ask about affordable parking options downtown if they choose to use the shuttle service.
Shuttle Prices and Amenities
The shuttle buses are equipped with Wi-Fi, charging stations, room for baggage, and restrooms. Operating the bus service is Michigan Flyer.
Tickets can be purchased at rtamichigan.org. Rates are $6 in advance and $8 at the door, with discounts available.
Currently, SMART has a FAST bus between downtown and DTW, with several stops in between. Depending on traffic, the DAX service is expected to take 30 to 50 minutes. More information on DAX and schedules can be found here.