DDOT Scores Big Win on Pay Equity

Transit Beat

For decades, Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) drivers and mechanics have long endured less pay for the same work that other transit departments perform for the public. The Detroit People’s Platform (DPP) – Transit Justice Team has focused on this core aspect of inequity within DDOT. We believe these conditions resulted in poor and unreliable service for essential riders. Given that the majority of DDOT riders are Black essential riders, the Transit Justice Team identified this pay disparity as a racial justice and civil rights issue impacting Detroit.

There was no other justification for lower wages for DDOT drivers, given DDOT’s average monthly ridership of a million rides in 2025, which is near pre-pandemic ridership. DDOT drivers have been underpaid for many years, who received free Commercial Driver’s License training and certification, only to leave for higher-paying positions in other transit departments or private companies.

DPP’s “Double DDOT” campaign centered pay disparity and inequity for DDOT employees as our demand for increased city budget funding for DDOT. We connected the lack of drivers and high turnover to unreliable service that negatively impacts the quality of life for essential riders in Detroit, resulting, for example, in missed medical appointments and persistent tardiness and absenteeism among students who rely on DDOT for transportation. Another main complaint from essential DDOT riders is the difficulty in maintaining steady employment due to constantly being late for work.

During the final months of 2025, the Transit Justice Team, along with our allies in the Double DDOT Coalition, used public pressure, rallies, and organizing essential riders in advocating for equitable outcomes for DDOT drivers. The successful labor union negotiations resulted in a huge win, including a $6 per hour raise for drivers and $8.50 raise for mechanics. DDOT drivers and mechanics now earn comparable wages to SMART, CATA (Lansing, Michigan), and the AAATA (Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority). DDOT drivers will earn a higher starting wage of $25 with incremental raises to over $32 per hour and mechanics at $34 per hour, that is in addition to driver on-time/safety bonuses every quarter.

The Transit Justice Team credits the voices of bus riders, concerned residents, transit advocates, and our solidarity with the Amalgamated Transit Union with persistent organizing. The City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, in response, increased funding for public transit, which will support higher wages for drivers and mechanics, and further centers the importance of public transit as an essential service. This is a tremendous win for not only drivers, but also essential bus riders and their families across the City of Detroit!