On September 20, 100 people gathered for the forum, TRANSIT ON THE WOODWARD CORRIDOR: OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE, presented by Transportation Riders United. Experts shared data on how transit can boost economic development while educating the public on the regional economic benefits of transit investment. In his opening remarks, James Jackson, Director of the Detroit Department of Public Works, said, "Mayor Kilpatrick and the City of Detroit are highly supportive of today's forum, and in the spirit of today's theme 'Moving Us Forward,' we stand ready to support this effort in whatever manner we are called upon."

Dr. June Manning Thomas, urban planning professor at Michigan State University, presented the morning keynote address, "The Role of Transportation in Detroit's Development." Dr. Thomas' presentation highlighted the strong presence of effective transit in the city previous to World War II, emphasizing that the current struggle for transit is not out of step with the region's history. An afternoon keynote address, "Alternatives to Sprawl: Transit-Oriented Development," presented by Douglas Kelbaugh, dean of University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Urban Planning, was very successful in making the link between transportation access and economic development.

TRANSIT ON THE WOODWARD CORRIDOR: OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE was the second in a series of educational forums focusing on envisioning a future for Greater Detroit. It was presented by Transportation Riders United, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve transportation access and mobility for Greater Detroit.