pilot service

Downtown Detroit to Airport Express

The RTA has launched an express coach bus pilot service that connects Downtown Detroit and DTW Airport. This route took off March 25, 2024 and is funded by a $2.5 million grant through the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program, which was administered by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

How detroit gets air

Detroit Air Xpress

Introducing detroit air xpress, or dAX.

Introducing the Detroit Air Xpress, DAX for short. Now you can go straight from DET to DTW, with the first nonstop express service between the two. 365 days a year. 16 round-trips daily. Book your tickets now and let us take you from here to air. 

Launch Date:

March 25, 2024

Cost:

$6 in advance, $8 at the door; discounts available

Frequency:

Daily service (365 days per year) running from 3:30 am to 11:00 pm, up to 16 daily round trips

Pick-up And Drop-Off Locations:

  • Downtown Detroit stop on the west side of Washington Blvd near State St.
  • Departures at the McNamara Terminal, and Ground Transportation at the Evans Terminal

Service Questions

Please go to DAX-bus.com or contact Michigan Flyer at: (517) 333-0400

FAQ

The downtown Detroit stop will be located on the west side of Washington Boulevard at the intersection with State Street. This intersection is in the heart of the hotel district, and steps from Rosa Parks Transit Center, DDOT, MoGo bike share, the People Mover, and SMART. The QLINE is several blocks away. This stop is anticipated to complement existing transit service and traffic patterns.

DAX will stop at both McNamara and Evans Terminals at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). The McNamara Terminal stop will be located at the dedicated drop-off and pick-up point at Departures. The Evans Terminal stop will be located at the Ground Transportation Center. 

Similar to D2A2, the new Detroit to Airport Express pilot service is designed for the comfort of travelers and regular commuters. Coach buses are equipped with comfortable seats; arm- and footrests; WiFi; USB charging ports; individual lighting; a bathroom; other amenities; and ample room for each traveler. There is undercarriage storage available for luggage. The buses are ADA-compliant, can accommodate two wheelchairs, and there are lifts available for easy boarding.  

DAX launches March 25. The service will accommodate travelers to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (March Madness) games that will be played in Detroit as well as the NFL Draft. Tickets can be purchased here. 

The service is funded through a Carbon Reduction Program grant for one year thanks to the US and Michigan Departments of Transportation as well as Southeast Michigan Council of Government, with the potential of funding for an additional six months or more. The RTA hopes to continue this pilot with additional funding. 

Michigan Flyer will operate the RTA’s Detroit to Airport Express pilot service. Michigan Flyer is a Michigan-based inter-city bus service that runs luxury coach buses. The service will travel along I-94 to deliver passengers from one destination to another in about 30-50 minutes.

DAX launches March 25, 2024. The service will operate up to 16 roundtrips per day approximately hourly between 3:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Since people travel at all times of the year, it would operate on holidays too. The expected travel time is 30 to 50 minutes one way, depending on traffic conditions and the departure/arrival terminal.

Please be aware: Upcoming construction along the route may impact travel times.

Tickets purchased in advance will cost $6. Tickets purchased at the time of boarding will cost $8. Discounts are available for frequent riders, seniors, people with disabilities, and students. These fares match D2A2 prices and reflect public feedback which expressed a desire for a discounted rate. 

Tickets are available here or at the website homepage. Riders can also purchase tickets at the door, subject to availability.  

Not at this time. The service as proposed is designed to be as quick and appealing to as many riders as possible, and this direct route has been identified as a priority through RTA surveys and reports. Since this is a pilot project, the RTA will study the success of this route for a one- to three-year test period. In the long term, the RTA has a strategic investment priority (strategy) of establishing more express services throughout its four-county region.