Detroit People Mover upgrades begin Monday

Upgrades to the Detroit People Mover are scheduled to start Monday, officials said.

New security cameras and public address system equipment will be installed in the latest phase of renovations, according to representatives.

"This round of upgrades will improve our ability to provide a safe transportation experience and to communicate more effectively with our riders," Robert Cramer, general manager of the Detroit Transportation Corporation, or DTC, said in a statement.

DTC owns and operates the People Mover.

Every week for the next seven weeks, crews will close two Detroit People Mover stations to make improvements, according to the DTC.

Their schedule calls for closing the West Riverfront and Grand Circus Park stations the first week, followed by Huntington Place and Millender Center stations Jan. 22-26; Michigan and Bricktown stations Jan. 29-Feb. 2; Cadillac and Times Square Feb. 5-9; Greektown and Financial District Feb. 12-18; Broadway and East Side Substation Feb. 19-23; and Fort/Cass and Renaissance Center Feb. 26-Mar. 1.

During the closures, the People Mover's trains bypass those stations and passengers have to use the nearest or next available one.

Officials said the upgrades come about a month after the corporation announced it was offering free fares for the year under a pilot program. The program hopes to increase ridership at least 50 percent by using paid sponsorships to make up for revenue through fares.

Opening in July 1987, the People Mover has 2.9 miles of continuously welded steel rail track and 13 passenger stations. The fare is 75 cents and free for children ages 5 and under.

Last week, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a speech at the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual Detroit Policy Conference that city officials are going to study modifying the People Mover's routes and expanding it to attract and retain young people for the jobs of the future.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez