To Expand and Improve Public Transportation in Minnesota

 

The purpose of this bill is to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improve access to education, work,

grocery stores, and other services by increasing the access and reliability of public transportation. Metro Transit and

MnDOT expand what is covered in the public transit routes so that all cities containing over 10,000 residents will have

access to a transit stop within 0.5 miles. These organizations must also have buses or light rails run in intervals of

30 minutes or less during these intervals: 6–9 AM and 3–7 PM. They will determine routes by looking at demand, access to

key services, and traffic patterns. This bill will apply statewide but will primarily focus on cities with over 10,000

people.

 

According to the Minnesota Compass, 30% of total workers age 16+ have to travel over 30 minutes to work, and only 2% of

these workers take public transportation. 78% of these workers take their own vehicle to work. Furthermore,

transportation is the greatest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 30%, as stated by the

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Public transport can lower GHG emissions by up to two-thirds per passenger per

kilometer, as per the World Resources Institute. To further prove this point, the UN states that 2.2 tons of carbon

emissions annually per individual can be saved through the switch from individual cars to public transit. The Minnesota

Department of Transportation (MnDOT) also describes how it is essential to make the switch in order to meet the climate

objectives. The Rocky Mountain Institute conducted an analysis that proved that Minnesotans could save up to $91 billion

from cleaner transportation.

 

Public Transportation shall be defined as all state-supported bus, light rail, commuter rail, or other transit programs.

 

 

This bill will be funded using existing Minnesota state transportation funds allocated to MnDOT and Metro Transit. If

additional funding proves to be necessary, these organizations can seek help from local municipalities or private

entities. This bill will not add further taxes to Minnesota residents.

 

Metro Transit and MnDOT must submit annual progress reports to the MN Legislature detailing the implementation of it.

 

December 1st, 2027, to allow for appropriate scheduling changes, construction of stops, and testing.