Do Better DDOT Podcast

Sam and Ray are BACK and fully vaccinated with a new season of Do Better DDOT! Join them as they catch up on all things transit and talk about the craziness that was 2020.

All the world’s an urban planning stage and the transit riders merely players. Ray and Sam are joined by Chris LeFlore as they dive into a deep conversation about urban planning and the part public transit plays in it over tea and coffee at City Bakery in the Fisher Building!

Self-care doesn’t always mean a day at the spa or traveling to a picturesque destination for a vacation. It can happen anywhere at any time. Even while traveling on a public city bus! Join Sam and Ray as they talk about how DDOT passengers can practice self-care during what can sometimes be a stressful, uncomfortable, and even monotonous time of day.

Sam and Ray discuss the juxtaposition between the need for safety on buses and overall public transit, without encroaching on the rights of Detroit citizens, especially with a majority Black ridership in a majority Black city. What does safety really mean for bus riders? Join Sam and Ray as they try to understand and find the balance between safety vs. surveillance.

Join Sam and Ray as they help you to navigate the complicated maze of making a successful complaint to DDOT. There are steps to this madness and they want to help you get it right! There are some limitations, but no worries! They've got your back on how to successfully file your complaint. Good luck!

Are You Afraid Of The Bus is back along with all new stories and creepy background music to get you in a spooky mood for Halloween! You won't want to miss this episode.

Sam and Ray Go Live! The topic of discussion? Ghost Buses and more... Join them as they share their experiences with waiting for a bus that never comes and everything else in between. Uncut. Don't forget to checkout the live video recordings of this episode on Instagram and Facebook. Tune in on Thursdays!

It’s that lovely time of year where bus service gets even more inconsistent than it already is and we all feel like a microwaved dinner. Complete with hot and cold spots all over. Yes, Sam and Ray will be talking about seasonal changes while riding with DDOT. They’ll give you tips on how to stay warm or cool during Fool’s Fall all the way into the rough winter months. Tune in every Thursday!

Sam and Ray hash out reasons why Detroit is one of the few cities in the U.S. with rising Ridership, despite it's MANY faults. Did DDOT actually manage to do better? Tune in and find out!

In this week's episode, Sam and Ray discuss some of the new DART App's shortcomings. Plus, it's story-time with Ray as he goes into detail about what went down at the Rosa Parks Transit Center makeshift Community DDOT Meeting. You don't want to miss this!

Join Sam and Ray as they discuss what the bus has to offer outside of getting people to and from work. From making it to appointments on time, to makeshift shelters for those without a place to stay, studying for class, or even heading to a show - they remind you that a bus ride can make it all possible. Enjoy a little Bus-Style ASMR as Sam and Ray catch the DDOT Woodward #4 to a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Beacon Park!

In this week’s episode, Sam and Ray discuss the stigma that comes with being a bus rider in Detroit. They unpack job discrimination, assumptions made about the type of people that use public transit as their main mode of transportation, and even touch on how the rest of the world handles public transit. So stop what you’re doing and join in on the discussion while you enjoy the lively background sounds of Dally in the Alley!

Sam and Ray are back for their second season with an August recap! It’s a well known fact that DDOT is WILD, but they really showed out this past month with quite a few significant changes that will directly affect bus riders in the city. So, grab your chopsticks and dig into some Pad Thai as Do Better DDOT serves up some fresh hot realness at Bangkok Crossing on Woodward Ave.

Fact: Historically, White voices have always resonated louder than Black ones.  This seems to be the ongoing theme in Detroit as the Old Detroit is pushed aside for the "New Detroit". It's not just businesses and resources. It's also communities, families and even the voices of Black Activists.  In this episode, guest-host Syri joins Sam and Ray in a discussion about some of her own personal experiences with being disrespected and used by "New Detroit" Advocate Groups. The three also use this episode as a teachable moment to New Detroit Activists on how to better navigate and collaborate with predominantly Black Organizations in a city that is blatantly catering to it's new White citizens. It's one hell of a season finale that you won't want to miss!

Surprise! Detroit has been awarded a $2.6 million federal emissions grant which will go towards low-emission and zero-emission methods of transportation, such as buses. Sam and Ray play a game of, "If I was DDOT", and discuss how the grant could be used to improve bus service throughout the city. Join them over a nice hot batch of Golden Fries at American Coney Island!

Sam and Ray are joined by another guest-host, Jackie (Gemini), in a discussion about the current state of DDOT buses, bus stops, and bus shelters. It’s one of the hottest days of the year and these three are on fire as they criticize DDOT on their lack of cleanliness, proper maintenance, and care for its coaches as well as the bus shelters. So, once again, pull up a chair and tune in over an ice cold beer, while these three enjoy the cool A/C and pastries at Avalon Cafe and Bakery on Woodward!

We wanted to hear your personal bus stories and you guys delivered! In this episode, Norma joins Ray and Sam, once again, as they share a few outrageous true life tales from bus riders. They even share some of their own personal experiences. Also, a street poet graces the podcast with an impromptu performance. So pull up a chair as Sam, Ray and Norma swap stories over dinner and cocktails at Colors!

This week, Sam and Ray talk trash about the Rosa Parks Transit Center. Its open season and shots are being fired at the toxic culture of one of the biggest public transit hubs in the city of Detroit. From a candid discussion about the sub par customer service to the overall unwelcoming atmosphere of the RPTC, Sam and Ray hold nothing back while enjoying coffee and vegan cake at Whole Foods Detroit!

This week, join Sam and Ray as they discuss the Q-Line and how it fits into the current mobility scene in Detroit. Here's a hint: It doesn’t! Do Better DDOT’s fifth episode, “The Little Train That Couldn’t”, points out the blatant disparities between DDOT and the Q-Line in regards to technology, funding, seating and even stops. So gather around the bonfire and enjoy the nighttime sounds, that only a Detroit neighborhood can provide, as Sam and Ray bring you more snarky content. 

In this episode, Sam and Ray discuss the need for extended bus service throughout Detroit’s neighborhoods and how it affects job accessibility, limits access to city resources, and cuts short plain old fashioned fun nights out for adults living in the city. Plus, some juicy updates on the June DDOT Community Input Meeting. Join us for a “DDOT Mandated” early dinner and drinks at Traffic Jam and Snug before we make a dash for the last bus! 

In this episode, Sam and Ray are joined by fellow bus rider and bicyclist, Norma. Detroit’s efforts to increase mobility is the name of the game as we discuss the strange disconnect of Detroit pushing a modern image while public transit gets left behind in the dark ages. Join us as we sip, yet another, scorching hot cup of tea at Socra Tea Detroit!  

In this episode, Ray and Sam examine the lack of audio and visual announcements on DDOT buses, unpack the "English-only & accessibility-as-an-afterthought" culture at DDOT and discuss why something as simple as audio announcements at each stop seems to be a tall order for DDOT. Don’t understand the new DART fare system? Don’t worry, we got your pass! It's not all doom and gloom here. We also share some feel good stories about our positive experiences while riding the bus. Join us and come sip this scorching hot tea at the Bottom Line Coffee House.

In this first episode, Sam and Ray discuss the lack of proper seating at Detroit bus stops, the outcomes that riders face as a direct result of such willful neglect, and unpack possible reasons why the City of Detroit and its Department of Transportation have left its bus riders in the neighborhoods to fend for themselves. Join us for this discussion over burgers and drinks at one of Detroit's local restaurants, Lovers Only. Tune in on Thursdays!