QLine

{{main|Detroit United Railway}}

{{stack|File:Woodward_Ave_Detroit_1942.jpg}}

Detroit's first streetcar service began in 1863 with horsecars. Electrification of the streetcar system followed, starting in 1886. Detroit's streetcar lines eventually saw their operations consolidated under the privately owned Detroit United Railway. Municipal takeover and control of the streetcar network by Detroit's Department of Street Railways followed in 1922.{{cite book |first = Kenneth |last = Schramm |year = 2006 |title = Detroit's Street Railways |series = Images of Rail |publisher = Arcadia Publishing |location = Charleston, SC |pages = 7–8, 11–13 |isbn = 0-7385-4027-7 }} Detroit Mayor Hazen S. Pingree had led the charge years before to have the city take over operations. Since that gave the companies reason to believe the rail lines would be taken over, they were discouraged from maintaining the lines, which meant that Detroiters had "inherited a giant money pit" when the city eventually voted to buy them.{{cite web |last1 = Austin |first1 = Dan |title = How Metro Detroit Transit went from Best to Worst |url = http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/2015/02/06/michigan-detroit-public-transit/22926133/ |website = Detroit Free Press |access-date = May 10, 2017 }} That and the Department of Street Railways' introduction of buses from 1925 ultimately led to the demise of the original streetcar system in 1956.{{cite journal |first = Mark |last = Kurlyandchik |date = May 2012 |url = http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/May-2012/Back-on-Track/ |title = After 50+ Years, Streetcars Could Come Back to Woodward |journal = Hour Detroit |issn = 1098-9684 |access-date = August 20, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120619043259/http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/May-2012/Back-on-Track/ |archive-date = June 19, 2012 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}

{{main|Detroit Downtown Trolley}}

A short {{convert|0.7|mi|km|adj=on}} vintage streetcar gauge line in {{RailGauge|900mm|lk=on}} gauge opened in 1976 along Washington Boulevard, using seven former Lisbon tramcars and two from England and Switzerland, all originally built in the early 20th century. Built at a cost of roughly $1.5 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|1500000|1976}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), the line initially ran between Grand Circus Park and Philip A. Hart Plaza near Cobo Center.{{cite web |last1 = Stuart |first1 = Reginald |title = Trolley Returns to the Motor City, and Mayor Foresee Revitalization |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/21/archives/new-jersey-pages-trolley-returns-to-the-motor-city-and-mayor.html |website = The New York Times |access-date = August 16, 2022 |date = September 21, 1976 }}{{cite web |title = Washington Boulevard Historic District |url = https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/washington-boulevard-historic-district |publisher = Detroit Historical Society |access-date = August 16, 2022 }} The line was extended a further {{convert|0.3|mi|km}} along Jefferson Avenue in 1980.1982 leaflet with former Lisbon car 247/397 on the [https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-01/100%20Years%20Downtown%20Trolley%201980s%20A.jpg cover] and [https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-01/100%20Years%20Downtown%20Trolley%201980s%20B.jpg downtown map showing route and stops] It ended service in 2003.{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/detroit.htm |publisher = Railway Preservation Resources |title = U.S. Streetcar Systems- Michigan |date = July 2, 2018 |access-date = February 12, 2019 }} Ridership at one time had seen 800 daily passengers, but declined to under 200 after the 1987 opening of the competing Detroit People Mover system.{{cite web |title = Detroit, MI |url = http://www.heritagetrolley.org/existDetroit1.htm |publisher = American Public Transportation Association |access-date = August 16, 2022 }}

{{stack|File:M-1 RAIL logo.svg}}

In 2006 the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) commissioned a study to determine expanded mass transit options along Woodward Avenue.{{cite web |url = http://www.woodwardlightrail.com/ProjectOverview.html |publisher = Woodward Light Rail |title = Project Overview |access-date = October 17, 2011 }} Concurrently, a private group of local business leaders decided to provide matching funds to government dollars to develop a $125 million, {{convert|3.4|mi|km|adj=on}} line through central Detroit (similar to the Tacoma Link) called the M-1 Rail Line. After much wrangling between the private investors and the DDOT, the two groups decided to work in tandem on developing DDOT's {{convert|9.3|mi|km|adj=on}} line.

The proposed line ran {{convert|9.3|mi|km}} along Woodward Avenue from the Rosa Parks Transit Center to the old State Fairgrounds along 8 Mile Road. The line would have had 19 stops with 10 cars running at a time in two-car trains; each train would carry 150 people. The trains would run in a dedicated right-of-way in the median from 8 Mile to Adams Street at the north end of downtown. South of Adams, the trains would run in mixed traffic along the sides of the street.

The estimated cost for the proposed line was $500 million.{{cite web |title = Woodward Light Rail Project Cancelled, M-1 Streetcar Still in the Works |url = http://www.detroittransit.org/cms.php?pageid=80 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120720152848/http://www.detroittransit.org/cms.php?pageid=80 |archive-date = July 20, 2012 |publisher = Transportation Riders United }} The Kresge Foundation awarded a $35 million grant to the city for the project in March 2009.{{cite press release |url = http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/doc.asp?CID=6017&DID=24282 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615211512/http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/doc.asp?CID=6017&DID=24282 |url-status = dead |archive-date = June 15, 2011 |title = Kresge Foundation Awards Nearly $73 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2009 |date = March 9, 2009 |publisher = Council of Michigan Foundations }} It received $25 million in funding from the United States Department of Transportation in February 2010. The Detroit City Council approved the sale of $125 million in bonds on April 11, 2011.{{cite news |title = City Council Approves Detroit Light Rail Project |date = April 12, 2011 |url = http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/12/city-council-approves-detroit-light-rail-project/ |location = Southfield, Michigan |publisher = WWJ-TV }} The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Detroit signed an environmental impact study on July 1, 2011. Finally, on August 31, 2011, the FTA signed a record of decision allowing the project to move forward.{{cite news |title = Detroit's Woodward Ave. Light Rail Project Moves Forward, but Still Has Long Road to Completion |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/detroits_woodward_ave_light_ra.html |work = MLive.com |location = Detroit |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 15, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019145020/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/detroits_woodward_ave_light_ra.html |archive-date = October 19, 2013 |url-status = live |date = September 6, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}

In December 2011, the federal government withdrew its support for the proposed line, in favor of a bus rapid transit system which would serve the city and suburbs.{{cite news |last = Bing |first = Dave |date = December 18, 2011 |url = http://www.freep.com/article/20111218/OPINION05/112180413/Dave-Bing-Rapid-bus-system-is-a-win-for-metro-Detroit |title = Rapid Bus System Is a Win for Metro Detroit |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = December 18, 2011 }} This decision arose out of discussions between federal Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Governor Rick Snyder. The private investors who had initially supported the smaller {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} M-1 Rail line to New Center stated that they would continue developing that project through the nonprofit M-1 Rail Consortium.{{cite news |title = Detroit Light-Rail Plan Is Dead: Buses Will Be Used Instead |work = Detroit Free Press |date = December 14, 2011 |last1 = Helms |first1 = Matt |first2 = Paul |last2 = Egan |first3 = John |last3 = Gallagher }} The cancelled {{convert|9.3|mi|km|adj=on}} proposal would have featured seven additional stops north of Grand Boulevard, where the QLine now ends.{{cite web |first1 = Kamau C. |last1 = Marable |first2 = Tim |last2 = Roseboom |first3 = Mark |last3 = Ryan |url = http://slideplayer.com/slide/4535668/ |title = Woodward Light Rail Transit Project |work = NAMC Detroit Transportation Symposium |date = September 15, 2011 |page = 4 |via = slideplayer.com }}

On January 18, 2013, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that M-1 Rail would receive $25 million in federal grant support for the streetcar project.{{cite news |last = Helms |first = Matt |title = Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Brings $25 Million in Federal Aid for M-1 Rail Project |url = http://www.freep.com/article/20130118/NEWS01/130118021/Ray-LaHood-brings-25M-in-federal-aid-for-M-1-rail-project |access-date = January 28, 2013 |newspaper = Detroit Free Press |date = January 18, 2013 }} He had previously committed to the funds on the condition that a regional transit authority was created for the Detroit area.{{cite news |first = Sarah |last = Cwiek |date = October 15, 2012 |title = LaHood: Metro Detroit, State Need to Move on Regional transit Authority |url = http://michiganradio.org/post/lahood-metro-detroit-state-need-move-regional-transit-authority#stream/0 |publisher = Michigan Radio |access-date = January 27, 2016 }} In late 2012, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan was created by state law,{{cite web |title = Senate Bill No. 909 |url = http://www.semcog.org/uploadedFiles/Programs_and_Projects/Transportation/RTA%20Enrolled%20Senate%20Bill%20909.pdf |publisher = Michigan State Legislature |access-date = September 17, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925173959/http://www.semcog.org/uploadedFiles/Programs_and_Projects/Transportation/RTA%20Enrolled%20Senate%20Bill%20909.pdf |archive-date = September 25, 2013 |url-status = dead }} which enabled LaHood's approval.{{cite news |date = January 18, 2013 |title = M1 Rail: Ray LaHood, U.S. Transit Secretary, Announces $25 Million in Funding for Detroit Transit Plan |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/m1-rail-ray-lahood-detroit-25-million-woodward_n_2502335.html |work = The Huffington Post |access-date = January 27, 2016 }}

On April 22, 2013, the project received final environmental clearance from the federal government, with construction expected to start in the fall.{{cite news |first = Matt |last = Helms |date = April 22, 2013 |title = M-1 Rail Project Gets Final OK from Federal Government |url = http://www.freep.com/article/20130422/NEWS/304220141/M1-Rail-streetcar-Detroit-Woodward |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = October 21, 2013 }}

On December 20, 2013, M-1 Rail began underground utility relocation work along Woodward Avenue, the first step toward full-fledged construction activities of the {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=on}} streetcar line, with construction scheduled to start in mid-2014.{{cite press release |url = http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-begins-underground-utility-relocation-work-shutdown-woodward-avenue-required-utility-relocations-will-prevent-customer-access-businesses-woodward/ |title = M-1 Rail Begins Underground Utility Relocation Work, Shutdown of Woodward Avenue Is Not Required: Utility Relocations Will Not Prevent Customer Access to Businesses on Woodward |access-date = January 3, 2014 |publisher = M-1 Rail |date = December 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140104073855/http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-begins-underground-utility-relocation-work-shutdown-woodward-avenue-required-utility-relocations-will-prevent-customer-access-businesses-woodward/ |archive-date = January 4, 2014 |url-status = dead }} Stacy & Witbeck were formally awarded the contract to construct the M-1 Rail streetcar line on July 31, 2013. M-1 Rail officials announced on July 3, 2014, that the Woodward Avenue overpasses for both I-75 and I-94 freeways will be demolished during construction of the rail line, and that new wider bridges will be built.{{cite news |first = Marlon A. |last = Walker |date = July 3, 2014 |work = Detroit Free Press |url = http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-construction-close-freeways-woodward-overpasses-rebuilt/ |title = M-1 Rail Construction to Close Freeways as Woodward Overpasses Are Rebuilt |access-date = July 11, 2014 |via = M-1 Rail |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153949/http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-construction-close-freeways-woodward-overpasses-rebuilt/ |archive-date = July 14, 2014 |url-status = dead }}

On July 20, 2014, the Ilitch family, owner of Olympia Development of Michigan, and major investor in M-1 Rail, announced that the streetcar line would include a stop at the new Little Caesars Arena in Midtown.{{cite news |first = Bill |last = Shea |date = July 20, 2014 |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140720/NEWS03/140719845/%20m-rink-city-ilitches-grand-plan-to-supersize-the |title = Detroit Rink City: Ilitches' Grand Plan to Supersize the Entertainment District |work = Crain's Detroit Business |access-date = July 23, 2014 }}

File:Detroit QLINE tracks near Little Caesars Arena.jpg

M-1 Rail officially started construction on July 28, 2014. The streetcar line would stretch from downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center. There would be 20 different stations serving 12 stops, with most of the stations being curbside on either side of Woodward Avenue going uptown or downtown, but changing to center road stations at the north and south ends of the system. At the time, the streetcar line was expected to be operational in late 2016.{{cite news |date = July 28, 2014 |title = Construction Starts on Detroit Rail |work = The Mining Journal |location = Marquette, Michigan |agency = Associated Press |page = 5A }}

During the planning of the service, Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert advocated strongly for a curb-running design. One participant said, "They were not looking for speed or reliability... their number one goal was the boost in property values."{{cite web |url = https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2018/03/30/private-interests-steered-qline-plans-study-finds |title = Dan Gilbert, private interests steered QLine plans, study finds |first = Lee |last = DeVito |date = March 20, 2018 |work = Metro Times }}

On September 9, 2014, the US DOT announced that M-1 Rail would receive an additional $12.2 million in federal grant money to complete the financing of the M-1 Rail project.{{cite news |first1 = Todd |last1 = Spangler |first2 = John |last2 = Gallagher |name-list-style = amp |date = September 9, 2014 |url = http://www.freep.com/article/20140909/BUSINESS06/309090135/M-1-Rail-track-Detroit |title = Feds Give M-1 Rail $12.2 Million |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = September 11, 2014 |archive-date = September 11, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140911113846/http://www.freep.com/article/20140909/BUSINESS06/309090135/M-1-Rail-track-Detroit |url-status = live }} US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx gave the keynote address at a rail signing ceremony on September 15, 2014, at Grand Circus Park.

Local officials were in attendance as were executives of local businesses who were sponsoring stations near their places of business.

A new official map was made public.

Approximately 60 percent of the line is not equipped with overhead electrical wires, and the streetcars are powered solely from lithium-ion batteries on that section. File:Detroit QLINE near Fox Theatre.jpg

On February 15, 2015, M-1 Rail reported that the Penske Tech Center was under construction in New Center. The $6.9 million, {{convert|19,000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} structure serves as the M-1 Rail headquarters, the operations center, and the streetcar maintenance facility. The tech center building is sited close to Woodward Avenue, and located between Bethune and Custer streets north and east of Grand Boulevard with the streetcar storage yard behind. The exterior is made of reddish brick to mimic the historical look and feel of the surrounding neighborhood,{{cite news |first = John |last = Gallagher |date = February 15, 2015 |url = http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2015/02/15/rail-penske-streetcar/23362265/ |title = M-1 Rail's Tech Center Under Construction |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = February 15, 2015 }} and was completed in May 2016.

In August 2015, M-1 Rail officials said that the opening of the line would be delayed until around mid 2017, partially because of new federal safety standards that are coming into effect, as well as a construction slowdown during the previous winter and delays in building the rolling stock.{{cite web |url = http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2015/08/06-detroit-m1 |title = Detroit Streetcar Project M-1 Delayed through 2017 |work = Trains |date = August 6, 2015 |access-date = August 16, 2015 }} QLine was announced as the official name for the line in March 2016, after Quicken Loans bought naming rights, but the non-profit organization that is overseeing the project continues to be named M-1 Rail.{{cite web |title = QLINE announced as official name of Detroit's modern streetcar |publisher = M-1 Rail |date = March 24, 2016 |url = http://m-1rail.com/qline-is-name-of-detroit-streetcar/ |access-date = December 14, 2016 }}

The first streetcar was delivered in September 2016.{{cite news |last = Shea |first = Bill |title = First M-1 Rail streetcar arrives in Detroit |newspaper = Crain's Detroit Business |date = September 12, 2016 |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160912/NEWS/160919947/first-m-1-rail-streetcar-arrives-in-detroit |access-date = December 14, 2016 }} The first test move over the line took place on December 13, and the streetcar was initially towed{{cite news |author = Detroit Free Press web team |title = See the Test of Detroit's New QLine Streetcar along Woodward Avenue |newspaper = Detroit Free Press |date = December 13, 2016 |url = http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2016/12/13/see-test-detroits-new-qline-streetcar-along-woodward-ave/95375022/ |access-date = December 14, 2016 }} (not yet run under its own power, except at the maintenance facility).{{cite news |last = Shea |first = Bill |title = M-1 Rail Takes First QLine Streetcar out for a Test Run in Detroit |newspaper = Crain's Detroit Business |date = December 13, 2016 |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20161213/NEWS/161219941/m-1-rail-takes-first-qline-streetcar-out-for-a-test-run-in-detroit |access-date = December 14, 2016 }} Transdev was awarded a five-year contract to operate the line.{{cite magazine |title = In brief |magazine = International Railway Journal |date = July 2016 |page = 10 }}

The QLine opened for public use on May 12, 2017. Although initially slated to be free only for the first weekend, the streetcar's free period was later extended for a week, and later until July 1, and again until Labor Day 2017.{{cite news |url = http://www.dailydetroit.com/2017/06/18/qline-love-need-talk/ |title = QLINE, I Love You But We Need to Talk |date = June 18, 2017 |work = Daily Detroit |access-date = September 19, 2017 }} Ridership for the opening week was 50,000, with a peak of 8,300 during the weekend and 5,120 Monday through Thursday.{{cite news |url = http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017/05/19/qline-cost-detroit-free/333064001/ |title = Amid Deluge of Riders, QLine Announces Free Rides until July 1 |last = Lawrence |first = Eric D. |date = May 19, 2017 |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = May 19, 2017 }} Daily ridership dropped to 3,000 when the payment service began on September 5, 2017. The percentage of riders actually paying was 40 percent, which QLine spokesman Dan Lijana said is higher than the 32.5 percent national average of similar downtown city rail systems.{{cite news |last1 = Livengood |first1 = Chad |title = 40% of QLine riders paying as ridership falls |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170922/news/639976/40-of-qline-riders-paying-as-ridership-falls |access-date = January 1, 2018 |work = Crain's Detroit Business |date = September 22, 2017 }}

On March 28, 2020, the QLINE suspended service, due to low ridership amid the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last = Lawrence |first = Eric D. |date = March 27, 2020 |title = QLINE shutting down after Sunday service close as coronavirus saps demand |url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/03/27/coronavirus-qline-temporarily-suspend-service/2930865001/ |access-date = May 14, 2023 |website = Detroit Free Press |language = en-US }} Service resumed in September 2021 without fares, with financial support from Penske and The Kresge Foundation.{{Cite web |last = Lawrence |first = Eric D. |date = March 30, 2022 |title = QLINE free rides to continue through end of 2022: How it's possible |url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/03/30/qline-free-rides-extended-through-end-2022/7097454001/ |access-date = May 14, 2023 |website = Detroit Free Press |language = en-US }} In November 2021, QLINE ended its contract with Transdev and became directly operated.{{Cite web |title=QLine streetcars on track to resume service in late summer |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/02/15/qline-track-resume-service-late-summer/6753754002/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} In 2022, a 17-year, $5 million annual subsidy was approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, which will keep the QLINE free to ride through 2039.{{Cite web |last1 = Guillen |first1 = Joe |last2 = Robinson |first2 = Samuel |date = December 5, 2022 |title = Motor City Transit: Legislation would extend QLine funding |url = https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/12/05/legislation-extend-qline-funding-detroit-michigan |website = Axios Detroit }}{{Cite web |last = LeBlanc |first = Beth |date = December 29, 2022 |title = Whitmer signs off on $85M tax subsidy for Detroit's QLine |url = https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/12/29/whitmer-signs-off-on-85m-tax-subsidy-for-detroits-qline/69764836007/ |access-date = May 14, 2023 |website = The Detroit News |language = en-US }}

File:QLine streetcar side view, May 2017.jpg

File:Detroit QLINE at Woodward Ave and Peterboro St.jpg

Crain's Detroit Business reported that the line would cost $137 million, including the purchase of six streetcar vehicles.{{cite news |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20131014/NEWS/131019917/m-1-rail-to-bidders-contract-will-begin-dec-1-streetcar-service# |title = M-1 Rail to Bidders: Contract will begin Dec. 1; Streetcar Service will begin February 2016 |work = Crain's Detroit Business |first = Bill |last = Shea |date = October 14, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180507085438/http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20131014/NEWS/131019917/m-1-rail-to-bidders-contract-will-begin-dec-1-streetcar-service |archive-date = May 7, 2018 |access-date = February 12, 2014 |url-status = live }} Bids were expected to include low-floor, air-conditioned vehicles, capable of transporting passengers in wheelchairs. The vehicles have operator's controls at both ends—eliminating the need for the vehicles to turn around for their return trips.

On November 4, 2014, M-1 announced that Czechia-based Inekon had been awarded a $30 million contract for six vehicles.{{cite web |url = http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2014/11/detroit-streetcar-project-selects-inekon-to-supply-vehicles |title = Detroit Streetcar Project Selects Inekon to Supply Vehicles |work = Trains |date = November 4, 2014 |access-date = November 5, 2014 }} Upon that deal falling apart, M-1 Rail instead awarded a $32 million contract to Pennsylvania-based Brookville Equipment Corporation.{{cite news |last1 = Shepardson |first1 = David |title = M-1 Rail Buying 6 Off-Wire Streetcars for $32M |url = http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2015/06/08/rail-buying-wire-streetcars/28683317/ |access-date = June 11, 2015 |work = The Detroit News |date = June 8, 2015 }} The purchase includes six articulated, three-section, {{convert|66|ft|m|2|adj=mid|-long}} cars, equipped with 750-volt rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for off-wire movement on sections of the line not equipped with overhead wire.

The first Brookville-built streetcar was delivered in September 2016, with the last two of the six cars delivered in March 2017.{{Cite press release |author = Brookville Equipment Corporation |url = http://www.brookvillecorp.com/BROOKVILLE-Delivers-QLINE-Streetcars-Detroit.asp?news=news-streetcar.asp |title = Brookville Completes Delivery of Off-Wire Capable Liberty Streetcar Vehicles to Detroit for QLINE Ahead of Schedule |date = April 12, 2017 |publisher = Brookville Equipment Corporation |access-date = May 17, 2018 }} The last car of Detroit's previous streetcar system was numbered 286, so it was decided to number the new cars 287-292, to pick up where the old number series had left off.{{cite news |last = Raven |first = Benjamin |title = Take a peek inside Detroit's first QLine streetcar |work = MLive.com |date = September 21, 2016 |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2016/09/take_a_peak_inside_detroits_fi.html |access-date = December 14, 2016 }}{{clear}}

File:Detroit QLINE near Campus Martius.jpg

The QLine traverses Woodward Avenue in its entirety from downtown through Midtown to New Center. The line begins at the southern terminus at Congress Street in the median before tracks swing to the curbside for most of its length. (Some parts of the line have tracks running down the middle travel lane of Woodward in downtown.) After traveling in the curbside travel lane, the line swings back into the inside travel lane (median) at Amsterdam all the way to the line's northern terminus at Grand Boulevard. Non-revenue tracks continue two blocks to the M-1 Rail Penske Tech Center, which serves as headquarters for the QLine and the garage for the streetcars. In September 2021, the southbound curb lane from Temple Street to West Fisher Service Drive was converted to a transit-only lane to be used by the QLine, DDOT and SMART to increase headways.{{cite news |last1 = Lawrence |first1 = Eric D. |title = QLine, buses get transit-only lane in front of Little Caesars Arena |url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2021/09/18/qline-buses-transit-lane-little-caesars-arena/8385803002/ |access-date = November 19, 2021 |work = Detroit Free Press |date = September 18, 2021 }}

File:Detroit QLINE Campus Martius platform.jpg

File:Qline - Detroit, july 2024.jpg in 2024.]]

The QLine generally operates four trains at a time, with trains arriving every 15 minutes or less. Service runs seven days a week, beginning at 8 a.m. daily: trains run through midnight Monday-Saturday, and through 9 p.m. on Sundays.{{Cite web |date = June 15, 2022 |title = QLINE announces extended streetcar service hours |url = https://www.wxyz.com/news/qline-announces-extended-hours |access-date = May 14, 2023 |publisher = WXYZ-TV |language = en }}{{Cite web |last = |first = |date = June 15, 2022 |title = QLine hours extended beginning this weekend |url = https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/06/15/qline-hours-extended-detroit-streetcars-nightlife/7641752001/ |access-date = May 14, 2023 |website = The Detroit News |language = en-US }}

There is currently no charge to ride the QLine, as its operations are supported by a subsidy from the State of Michigan. The system's original fare, instituted in September 2017, was $1.50; it was raised to $2 in October 2019, when the QLine joined the Dart payment system used by SMART and DDOT.{{Cite web |last = Lawrence |first = Eric D. |date = August 20, 2019 |title = QLINE to join DDOT, SMART unified payment system beginning in October |url = https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2019/08/20/qline-ddot-smart-dart-payment-system/2054360001/ |access-date = |website = Detroit Free Press |language = en-US }}

M-1 Rail is a licensed towing operator.{{Cite web |title = Company Snapshot: M-1 RAIL TOWING LLC |url = https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=3797339 |access-date = May 14, 2023 |publisher = Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration }} State legislation permits the agency to tow parked vehicles which block its tracks; vehicles are taken to City of Detroit-owned impound lots. Towing operations began in June 2022, when a Florida towing company donated a truck to M-1 Rail.

{{Portal|Transport|Michigan}}

• Light rail in the United States
• List of streetcar systems in the United States
• Streetcars in North America
• Transportation in metropolitan Detroit

{{Reflist|

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refs=

{{cite news |url = http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9efe5c7580294aeb8294363433d101e1/MI--Detroit-Light-Rail |title = Officials participate in track signing ceremony celebrating Detroit streetcar project |work = The Republic |date = September 15, 2014 |location = Columbus, Indiana |agency = Associated Press |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140917012113/http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9efe5c7580294aeb8294363433d101e1/MI--Detroit-Light-Rail |archive-date = September 17, 2014 |access-date = September 16, 2014 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/USDOTs-Foxx-Detroit-officials-sign-ceremonial-track-for-M1-Rail-streetcar--41884 |title = USDOT's Foxx, Detroit officials sign ceremonial track for M-1 Rail streetcar |work = Progressive Railroading |date = September 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140917012253/http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/USDOTs-Foxx-Detroit-officials-sign-ceremonial-track-for-M1-Rail-streetcar--41884 |archive-date = September 17, 2014 |access-date = September 16, 2014 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html |title = Detroit Streetcar Breaks Ground |work = Railway Gazette International |date = July 28, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140809041817/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html |archive-date = August 9, 2014 |access-date = September 5, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html |title = Detroit Streetcar Construction Contract Awarded |work = Railway Gazette International |date = August 2, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231246/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html |archive-date = November 9, 2013 |access-date = September 5, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-project-gets-grant.html |title = Detroit Light Rail Project Gets Grant |work = Railway Gazette International |date = February 22, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827075057/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-project-gets-grant.html |archive-date = August 27, 2013 |access-date = September 5, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html |title = Stacy and Witbeck win Detroit M1 contract |work = Railway Age |first = Douglas John |last = Bowen |date = July 31, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130819051926/http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html |archive-date = August 19, 2013 |access-date = September 6, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-receives-more-tiger-funding.html |title = Detroit light rail receives more TIGER funding |work = Railway Gazette International |date = September 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140917004436/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-receives-more-tiger-funding.html |archive-date = September 17, 2014 |access-date = September 16, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/tom-walsh/2014/09/16/tom-walsh-m-1-rail-makes-noise-as-new-donors-push-streetcar-line-ahead/15694057/ |title = Tom Walsh: M-1 Rail Makes Noise as New Donors Push Line Ahead |work = Detroit Free Press |first = Tom |last = Walsh |date = September 16, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140916111553/http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/columnists/tom-walsh/2014/09/16/tom-walsh-m-1-rail-makes-noise-as-new-donors-push-streetcar-line-ahead/15694057/ |archive-date = September 16, 2014 |url-status = live }}

{{cite news |url = http://michronicleonline.com/2014/09/16/u-s-dot-secretary-foxx-announces-12-2-million-for-m-1-rail-in-detroit/ |title = U.S. DOT Secretary Foxx Announces $12.2 Million for M-1 RAIL in Detroit |work = Michigan Chronicle |first = AJ |last = Williams |date = September 16, 2014 |location = Detroit |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140917011752/http://michronicleonline.com/2014/09/16/u-s-dot-secretary-foxx-announces-12-2-million-for-m-1-rail-in-detroit/ |archive-date = September 17, 2014 |access-date = September 16, 2014 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}

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{{commons category}}

{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}

• [https://qlinedetroit.com QLine Detroit]
• [http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9621_11058_62342---,00.html Woodward Avenue Streetcar]

{{USLightRail}}

{{Modern Streetcars}}

{{Michigan railroads}}

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{{Michigan public transit}}

Category:Downtown Detroit

Category:Rapid transit in Michigan

Category:Railway lines opened in 2017

Category:Transdev

Category:Transportation in Detroit

Category:2017 establishments in Michigan

Category:750 V DC railway electrification

Category:Free public transport