Transit

Supporting economic competitiveness, vitality, and prosperity

Public transportation, or transit, enhances quality of life, connects people to opportunities, supports prosperity, and improves the economic competitiveness of the region. Residents want transportation choices that include public transit so they can get to work, school, services and amenities, recreation, shopping, and other activities.

This is especially true for many living in the region’s more densely populated urban areas, where transit is close by, comes often, and is affordable. In suburban areas, public transit primarily provides a cost-effective, convenient alternative to commuting to work by car. For those in rural areas who do not drive, public transit may provide critical connections to jobs and opportunities.

There are currently six types of transit service in the region:

Regular-route bus service
Light rail transit (LRT)
Bus rapid transit (BRT)
Commuter rail
Dial-a-ride and shared ride services like Metro Mobility, Transit Link and Southwest Prime
Public vanpools

There are six major providers of public transit in the region:

Metropolitan Council, including Metro Transit and contracted services like Metro Mobility and Transit Link
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, serving eight south metro communities
University of Minnesota, providing bus service within and between campuses in Minneapolis and Saint Paul
SouthWest Transit, serving three west metro communities
Plymouth Metrolink, serving the City of Plymouth
Maple Grove Transit, serving the City of Maple Grove

Chapter 6: Transit Investment Direction and Plan (PDF)

Our vision: A transit system that works for everyone

The future of our region's transit system depends on investment. From federal funds and state bonds, to county sales tax revenues and Met Council resources, these dollars allow our region to build a transit system that better serves everyone. And, where we invest, economic growth follows. Our bus network is the workhorse of that transit system. That’s why our region’s vision reflects faster, more frequent, and reliable service for millions of people across the metro area, through a network of bus rapid transit lines.

Bus and bus rapid transit investments

Local and express routes remain the essential backbone of the region’s bus network. A planned network of bus rapid transit lines will provide an improved customer experience with frequent service and faster trips in our region’s busiest bus corridors.

Light rail investments

Light rail transit is one spoke of the region’s transit network. Two operating lines, the METRO Green Line and the METRO Blue Line, connect downtown Minneapolis to Saint Paul, and downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of the America. The METRO Green Line Extension is under construction and will connect downtown Minneapolis to the western suburbs. The METRO Blue Line Extension will connect Target Field Station northwest to Brooklyn Park and will start of construction in 2025.

Transit studies and reports

We work to improve the region's transit and transitways by studying transit options and best practices, and recommending improvements.