Tim Blotz, 4/26/17
 
Transit riders have a new powerful ally on their side fighting funding cuts at the State Legislature. That friend? Businesses. Both the Minneapolis and St. Paul chambers of commerce are meeting one-on-one with riders, trying to get help to save their bus routes.
 
"I rely on the bus to get to and from work,” said Justin Golownia, a Metro Transit rider. “If I didn't have the bus I'm not really sure what I would do in the interim.” Business leaders aren’t sure either. That’s why Maureen Failor from Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is trying to save the buses."

"And we're just talking with the rider about the proposed transit cuts - 40 percent," said Failor. Those cuts could possibly come from the Capitol. The House transportation bill currently in conference committee comes in $119 million below the Senate's budget.

Metro Transit says it could cut bus service by up to 40 percent, affecting every single route in the system.
 
Business leaders say it's not practical…