Metro Transit

Help shape our plans to improve service in the coming years! Now through Nov. 15, we’re seeking input on Network Now, our vision to grow ridership, expand job access, and better meet the region’s changing mobility needs. Network Now outlines the service changes we’d prioritize making through 2027. Fully implementing the plan would expand transit service by 35% and increase the number of jobs accessible within a 45-minute transit trip by 25%. Among the key changes included in our draft plan: Expanding service on more than 65 routes, including 15 routes that would have trips running at least every 15 minutes. Increasing light rail frequency to every 10 minutes. Offering on-demand microtransit service in eight suburban areas. Serving areas without existing service by introducing 20 new bus routes. Adapting the region’s express bus network and provide all-day service in key corridors. Adapting service to account for the opening of five new METRO lines that will be in service by the end of 2027 (the Gold Line, B Line, E Line, G Line, and Green Line Extension). Feedback is being collected through an online comment form and several upcoming events. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gNHKpb8n

We’re committed to making data-driven decisions that improve performance and add up to a better experience for our customers and staff.       To do that effectively, we rely on staff from our research, data, and analysis team, who were recently recognized at a Metropolitan Council meeting for their collective efforts. Please join us in celebrating:       Matt Broughton, a principal data scientist who specializes in using data to improve the speed and reliability of our light rail lines.   Kara Fisher, a senior data scientist focused on performance metrics.  Shanta Hejmadi, PhD, a senior data scientist and resident expert on workforce data.   Rachael Jones, a senior researcher who uses her social science skills to help us better understand customer and employee sentiment. Joey Reid, a principal data scientist who works on bus speed and reliability and the impact of planned service changes. Sadixa S., a data scientist who supports the data we review and report out through the Safety & Security Action Plan.       Thank you also to Senior Manager Rachel Dungca, who leads the group’s work to expand our use and understanding of data.       We’ll be regularly sharing data on on-time performance, customer satisfaction and more as we work to advance our strategic framework, Metro Transit Forward.

When Thomas Carey entered the workforce in 1979, he entered a down economy and jumped from job to job. After his friend became an operator, he saw an opportunity to end that cycle. “There was a lot of job security there,” Thomas said. “No matter how bad the economy gets, people still need transit.” Right he was. For the past 35 years, Thomas provided an essential (and enduring) service, carrying riders on route 3, 9 and 645, among many others. Throughout, he enjoyed interacting riders, building a rapport by sharing smiles and jokes from his seat at the helm. While he took the job seriously, it was also a good outlet for his outgoing personality, which also led him to serve as an Aquatennial Aquajester known as “Broccoli.” “Not everyone likes Broccoli, but hopefully you like me!” he joked. Before retiring last month, he served the Minnesota State Fair one final time. On his very last ride, he announced his retirement, which was met with applause and congratulations. “I’m going to miss my job,” Thomas concluded. “The sudden and complete separation after over half a lifetime of service comes as quite a shock, but I find myself in a really good place.” Looking for the kind of stable and rewarding career Thomas enjoyed? We’re hiring! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5 #TransitCareer #MinnesotaJobs #PublicTransportation #MetroTransitMN

At work, Laura Greteman is a planner dedicated to advancing bus rapid transit projects like the METRO G Line. So, it’s no surprise she often rides their predecessors, the C and D lines, to get where she needs to go. As a (near) downtown Minneapolis resident, though, her preferred mode of transportation is a bit more casual – walking. Here, she talks about what she enjoys most about getting around on transit and as a pedestrian. What do you enjoy most about walking? Walking is the most convenient way for me to get to the office. It helps me stay active, spend time outside, and feel connected to the community. When walking, I like that I can easily stop when I come across a street musician or an event. Besides convenience, what other reasons do you have for walking and taking transit? I don't like to drive and want to get around in an environmentally friendly way. Climate change is a huge issue that can feel overwhelming to solve. For me, walking and using transit are tangible ways that I can reduce my emissions and make a difference. What lessons do you learn from walking or taking transit that you can apply in your work? I am always learning when walking or taking transit. I know what it feels like to wait for a bus alone at night or to cross a busy intersection with lots of cars. Being a transit rider and pedestrian helps me to prioritize the customer experience in my work. #TransitAdvocacy #PublicTransit #MetroTransitMN

After returning to Minnesota in 2023, Teron Hess struggled to find work, became homeless, and contemplated ending his own life. Thankfully, fate intervened. Riding the light rail for what he believed would be his final journey on earth, Metro Transit called and offered him a job as a bus operator. He was so excited he left his phone onboard – his only connection to this new job. After pushing an emergency button at the station, he was connected to rail staff who located the phone and coordinated with police to get it back in his hands. “This showed me how everyone at transit is dedicated to helping people,” Teron said. “It was an awesome experience.” Today, after almost a year as a bus operator, Teron is paying it forward by letting riders know about services that could help them and occasionally distributing water and food. He wants every rider to feel the same way he did about operators growing up. “Bus operators were friendly people you could go to for help,” Teron said. “And they’re often someone to talk to when you have no one else.” In one instance, he recalls helping a woman who boarded his bus in tears after being kicked out of her home. Teron helped her find assistance and months later she returned to thank him. “There are these little moments and people in life that lead you on the right path,” he said. “I am living proof that those acts of kindness can change a person’s life.” “Every day someone from Metro Transit saves a life,” Teron concluded. “I know because it saved mine.” Remember: Help is always available. If you’re struggling, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline via call, text or chat. https://988lifeline.org/

What a ride! During the Minnesota State Fair’s 12-day run, we provided nearly 331,000 express and regular route rides to and from the fairgrounds, a 14% increase compared to last year’s State Fair ridership. This year’s ridership growth can partly be attributed to expanded State Fair Express Bus service – with more staff on hand, we carried fairgoers to and from six Park & Rides, including newly added sites in Maple Grove and Maplewood. About 100 extra buses were in operation every day of the fair while operators, maintenance staff and others helped board customers, collect fares, clean vehicles and facilities, and monitor operations. Amid the fair, we also supported several large special events, including four consecutive concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium and Target Field, and maintained the reliable regular route service people use every day for a variety of trip purposes. “These busy past few weeks underscore just how important transit is to our community,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “Thank you to everyone who rode with us, and to all the staff who came together to provide convenient, reliable and environmentally sustainable transportation during one of the busiest times of year.”

We have been having some great conversations about public safety on transit during our first two Listening Sessions Tour events! The next time to meet and chat with General Manager Lesley Kandaras and Chief Operating Officer Brian Funk is tomorrow from 6 – 7:30 a.m. at Nicollet Mall Station. Hope to see you there! See the full schedule: https://lnkd.in/gZ5TnTff

"Often, we're told to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. But in certain moments, it's even more important to let that someone stand in ours." Thank you for your kindness, Jayne, and thank you CBS Evening News for doing such a wonderful job with this heartwarming story. https://lnkd.in/gp8sM8m8

When we say Metro Transit is a place where you can build a career, we mean it.   Just ask the latest graduates of our Leadership Academy, a development program that provides frontline workers an opportunity to gain experience as managers and supervisors they can then use to apply for full-time positions.   In addition to this on-the-job experience, participants are mentored and complete courses on leadership and other skills.   Our latest Leadership Academy graduates were celebrated earlier this month. Congratulations to:   - Sabir Ahmed. A bus operator who immigrated from Bangladesh 20 years ago, Sabir served as an assistant transportation manager.  - Chris Flahavan. Chris served as a rail transit supervisor in the Rail Control Center and now moves into the role full-time. He previously served as a revenue technician.  - James Running. James also served as a rail transit supervisor and has since moved into a full-time supervisor position. He previously served as a train operator.  Want to work somewhere that supports your career development? We’re hiring! https://lnkd.in/gQSUVTb5

Progress! Earlier this week, crews installed a METRO B Line shelter at the corner of West Lake Street and East Bde Maka Ska Parkway, the first B Line shelter to appear west of Hiawatha Avenue. When complete, there will be 33 new stations across the nearly 13-mile B Line corridor. Stations are expected to open to customers in December 2024; features like on-demand heat, real-time signs, and ticket machines will be added before the B Line largely replaces Route 21 in June 2025. Elsewhere in the B Line corridor, crews are working on sidewalks, curbs, new concrete medians, and resurfacing sections of roadway to provide a new, smoother pavement surface. Learn more about upcoming construction activities and sign-up for email updates at https://lnkd.in/gEFGDYsn