A new bus company offers alternative option for transportation in Detroit

DETROIT, Mich. (WXYZ) - A private bus company aims to tackle the transportation problems facing Detroit.

It has the vibe of a party bus, but founder Andy Didorosi is not fooling around, he wants to use his bus to change the face of transportation in the Motor City.

“We heard about all these transit solutions coming and then they fizzled,” said Andy Didorosi. 

He’s talking about plans like the Woodward Light-Rail that hit the brakes in December for a rapid transit bus system that people are still waiting for.

“But in the meantime we’re all stuck.  So what we’re doing is we are providing the shuttle so commerce can still continue in the city,” said Didorosi.

The 25-year-old entrepreneur started The Detroit Bus Company to connect entertainment hot spots around Detroit.  The Detroit Bus Company is based out of Ferndale.

“Our goal in this is just to form a more connected Detroit.  We have a great city here it’s just difficult to get around,” said Didorosi.

It’s all you can ride on “Bettis” the bus for five dollars a day.  The bus is named after the football player Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. 

“We paid one time to park and we can go around all over town,” said Jillian Henry who came from Plymouth to ride the bus to get around town for Cinco de Mayo fun. 

 “You don’t want to walk around everywhere on foot. You can get way further on a bus than you can one night on foot,” said Tom Hudak who also came from Plymouth to ride the bus.

When The Detroit Bus Company is not connecting to different bars or event venues, they are transporting people to work.  Every five dollar seat buys one free seat for someone else.

 “It’s called our “We Ride” program.  And that’s our part in really helping the ones who need it most.  The people in the neighborhoods are most disconnected,” said Didorosi.

 “We’ve had a huge success so far.  People seem to really love it,” said Didorosi.

Cinco de Mayo was the test day for the service.  “Bettis” is the only bus running so far and only running around the city of Detroit.  The company hopes to add more buses and eventually connect Detroit to the suburbs.

To find out more about The Detroit Bus Company visit their website at: www.thedetroitbus.com/