Our Vision: A Transit System that Works for Everyone

Bus in front of MOA Sign

Getting more people to the places they want to go, to build connections, success and a fulfilling life.

Riders on bus

Getting people to work. Employers create jobs and jobs require workers that keep our economy growing.

Riders getting on A Line Bus

Getting people to places faster with more frequent, reliable service. Plus, improving the experience.

Investing in transit creates a stronger system that supports our growing region. With about 700,000 new people and 500,000 new jobs expected by 2040, we need to plan today how we get in front of significant increases in transit demand.

THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION'S TRANSIT SYSTEM

The future of our region's transit system depends on investment. From federal funds and state bonds, to county sales tax revenues and 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.

The METRO A Line has set the example. Since introducing the service, ridership throughout the A Line corridor has increased by about one-third. This success shows that improving speed, reliability, shelters, real-time schedule information, and other features attracts more riders.

The METRO D Line, which began service in December, substantially replaces Route 5. The 18-mile line connects neighborhoods and destinations in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington. Initial ridership in the corridor served by the METRO D Line is running about 50% higher compared to the same time last year.

INVESTING IN TRANSIT MATTERS

"Transit investments strengthen our economy — both by generating good jobs at manufacturing businesses across Minnesota and by providing better access to jobs by transit in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota." - Jonathan Weinhagen, Minneapolis Regional Chamber

North Dakota to 7 countyBy 2040, the region is

expected to: 

  • Add an additional 700,000 people – that’s North Dakota’s entire population moving into the 7-county metro 

  • Add a half a million jobs 

  • Double the number of people over 65 

  • Be more diverse – by 2040 about 40 percent of our population will be people of color 

As the region’s population grows and changes, demand for reliable transit options will also increase.

10 year transit mapBuilding along high frequency transit shapes regional development trends. 

  • About a third of the region’s commercial development between 2003 and 2017 is within a half-mile of current and planned light rail and BRT stations – that’s about $3.7 billion worth of investment

  • A third of the region’s multifamily residential development between 2009 and 2017 happened within a half-mile of current and planned light rail and BRT stations – 15,000 new housing units

Person connecting to shops and activitiesNot everyone has a car.

  • In Minnesota, more than 1 in 4 black families and 1 in 6 households of color lack access to a vehicle, compared to 1 in 17 white families

  • 2/3 of local bus riders don’t have access to a vehicle

  • Half of bus riders don’t have a driver’s license

  • Metro Mobility helps people with disabilities get to jobs, medical appointments and social events