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 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.