Detroit Transit: Two Horses Board City Bus
Surveillance footage shows riders leading horses onto a DDOT bus on 7 Mile Road, prompting a policy review and driver retraining.
By Charles Reed ·
Two men led saddled horses onto a Detroit public bus on the city's east side, an incident captured on surveillance video that has drawn widespread attention. The animals briefly occupied the vehicle along 7 Mile Road near Strasburg Street before exiting through the rear. The Detroit Department of Transportation confirmed the footage is authentic and has identified the driver involved.
The event unfolded during a stop on the route. The driver deployed the wheelchair-accessible ramp to allow the horses and their riders to board. As the animals moved through the aisle and out the back, one appeared distressed. Audio from the video captures the driver referencing the animals as service animals and making light of the situation with those present.
Jordan Williams, co-founder of Urban City Cowboys and owner of the horses, provided context for the stop. He was nearby giving children horseback rides as part of a fundraiser when the bus approached. Williams stated his intention was to demonstrate the presence of Black cowboys in Detroit. "The point is just to bring light to.. like there are cowboys that look like us," he said. He noted that the interior space felt confined. "I must tell you the buses are a lot smaller than they used to be, or I may have been a little bigger," Williams added.
DDOT officials reviewed the incident against existing rules. While the Americans with Disabilities Act allows service animals on public transit, the department determined these horses did not meet the specific requirements for that classification. Officials stated the horses' presence created safety concerns for both passengers and the animals.
The department released a statement addressing the policy mismatch. "We are taking appropriate steps to address this incident as it is not consistent with DDOT policy and potentially creates an unsafe and uncomfortable ride for our passengers," the statement read. DDOT reiterated that horses are generally not permitted on its buses.
The transit agency plans to retrain its drivers following the event. The retraining will address how staff handle unusual boarding requests and ensure consistency with current guidelines. The driver involved has been identified by the department.
The video has circulated widely on social media platforms, sparking debate about public transit flexibility and urban equestrian culture. DDOT has not announced further disciplinary action for the driver, but the retraining session is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
