Metro Transit (Minnesota)

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There are also other systems named Metro Transit.

Metro Transit logo

Metro Transit is the transit division of the Metropolitan Council, a regional governmental agency in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Metro Transit is the largest operator of bus services in the seven-county region surrounding Minneapolis and St. Paul with 834 buses (including 140 articulated buses) on about 130 routes, and the Hiawatha Line light rail corridor. It is reportedly the 18th largest transit system in the country, with approximately 240,000 rides provided each weekday, carrying 90% to 95% of the transit rides in the region. Several "opt-out" carriers exist in the area, including Southwest Metro Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. Metro Transit workers are organized through the Amalgamated Transit Union.

An articulated Metro Transit bus displaying typical livery

1 Overview
2 Funding
3 BRT features and research
4 Major routes
5 Hi Frequency Network
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Overview

The agency as it currently exists was first formed in the late 1960s, although the organization's history can be traced back to the early streetcar systems developed in the area in the mid to late 19th century. In 1970, it acquired the bus lines of Twin City Rapid Transit from businessman Carl Pohlad. The Metropolitan Council became the parent agency of Metro Transit in 1994. The light-rail system began operation on June 26, 2004, 50 years "to the month" since the last regular-service streetcar ran on June 19, 1954.

The organization has had several names over the years, though the most well-known name was probably Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC).

Vehicle livery is largely white, with a predominantly blue strip running horizontally along the side of buses. In addition, buses have a large white "T" inside a red circle on their roofs. The Hiawatha Line light-rail vehicles have a different color scheme, being predominantly black and gray, with yellow used on each end. Metro Transit uses vehicle wrap advertising on some buses and light rail cars, which can lead to a different appearance.

All of the buses are handicapped-accessible, either using hydraulic lifts or a low-floor design. The Metropolitan Council also operates the Metro Mobility paratransit system for door-to-door transportation.

The system claims to have a safety record five times better than the national average, although some worry that continuing reductions in break times and increases in the length of working days may cause the incident rate to rise.

Metro Transit does not cover the whole Twin Cities area. About 17.5% of the area which has regular route transit service is served by six other transit systems. These "opt out" systems are listed below. Also about 5% of the system is contracted to private transit providers.

[edit] Funding

Currently Metro Transit receives the majority of its funding from the State Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, the State General Fund, fares, and federal revnues. Metro Transit prepares an annual calendar budget but most of its subsidy comes from state funds, which is on a July 1st biennial budget. Between 2001 and 2006, reductions in state general funds and state motor vehicle sales tax collections have forced a set of service cuts and fare increases, reducing ridership.

Metro Transit fares		Non-rush hours	Rush hours
Adults	Local fare	$1.50	$2.00
Adults	Express fare	$2.00	$2.75
Seniors (65+) and youth (6–12)	Local fare	$0.50	$2.00
Seniors (65+) and youth (6–12)	Express fare	$0.50	$2.75
Disabled riders		$0.50	$0.50
Downtown zones		$0.50	$0.50
Children (5 and under)		free	free

Local policy requires that one third of the system's funding comes from fares, and current operations slightly exceed that level. Fares increased by 25¢ on July 1, 2005, bringing the standard fare to $1.50. This should cover $12 million of the projected $60 million shortfall. Express routes cost more (on limited-stop portions) and certain eligible individuals (such as riders with disabilities) can ride for 50¢. Many of the fares are more expensive during rush hour periods; a rush-hour ride on an express bus currently costs $2.75, for instance.

The system does not make much use of fare zones aside from downtown zones in Minneapolis and St. Paul where rides only cost 50¢. Fare transfer cards valid for 2.5 hours are available upon payment of fare. A number of discounted multiple-use transit pass options are available, and the system is planning to introduce a contactless smart card (the Go-To card) for paying fares but its introduction has been delayed until at least early 2007, although public testing began in late 2006.

[edit] BRT features and research

Metro Transit uses several methods to speed up bus lines, which can be considered forms of bus rapid transit (BRT). As in many metropolitan areas, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes are available for buses traveling on some highways. In downtown Minneapolis, there are several exclusive lanes for buses and taxis that go in the opposite direction of regular flow on one-way streets. Nicollet Mall is exclusively used for buses and taxis, though as of summer 2005, Metro Transit and the city of Minneapolis are experimenting with diverting buses to Hennepin Avenue in evening hours to reduce noise.

Since about 1993, Metro Transit buses have been allowed to use road shoulders to bypass traffic jams. Some research has gone into improving the speed at which buses can travel in such a situation. Primarily, bus drivers have to be very attentive when taking the bus onto the shoulder, since that part of the road is only about one foot wider than the buses in many cases.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota helped rig up a bus with a lane-keep system along with a heads-up display connected to a radar system to alert the driver of any obstacles. The technology was an adaptation of a system previously tested with drivers of snowplows, and made some headlines in the early 2000s decade, but has not yet been widely deployed.

A commuter rail line known as the Northstar Corridor is expected to be built in the coming years. Several other lines are on the drawing board along with additional light rail projects.

[edit] Major routes

Main article: Metro Transit Routes

[edit] Hi Frequency Network

The Hi-Frequency Network was created on September 9, 2006. It includes routes that run 15 minutes or faster on Monday-Friday 6 am - 7 pm and Saturday 9 am - 6 pm. The routes that are included are portions of routes 5, 6, 10, 18, 21, 64, 84, and 515 and all of routes 16, 54, and 55.