Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Congressional Transportation Status Report

Transit

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Statewide Initiatives

Greater Minnesota Transit Plan

The Greater Minnesota Transit Plan 2010-2030 defines the future vision for public transportation across Greater Minnesota and sets forth policies and strategies to meet that vision.

The Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan

The Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan, developed by MnDOT in 2011, sets priorities for transit investments in scenarios of both expanded and contracted future funding.

Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI)

The VTCLI  initiative includes a $1.19 million federal DOT grant for capital costs of communication technology to improve access to transportation service information through the MinnesotaHelp™ Network, Minnesota’s existing One-Call/One-Click Resource Center. The funding is to purchase hardware, software, and related engineering and design (cannot be used to fund vehicle purchases or mobility management operations)

2011 Transit Report: A Guide to Minnesota's Public Transit Systems

The 2011 Transit Report was prepared by the Minnesota Department of Transportation with assistance from the Metropolitan Council. This report is a guide to Minnesota's public transportation network and resources.

MnDOT District 3 Transit

Public transit is available in all of the district’s 13 counties. This includes county-wide systems in Crow Wing, Todd and Wadena Counties; multi-county-wide systems in Aitkin, Benton, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties, and a municipal service within the City of Pine River in Cass County.

Current Initiatives

  • Explore and implement  mobility management for rideshare programs within District 3, with the initial focus within Benton, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.
  • Coordinate public transit and human service resources to enhance transportation access by minimizing duplication of services. Also, facilitate the most appropriate and cost effective transportation possible with available resources.
  • Recently, the state’s Regional Development Commissions and designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations worked with MnDOT to complete studies in their areas to improve transit coordination. Area transit providers and human services continue to work on implementation of these plans.

Commuter Needs Study

Central Minnesota’s population and economic growth warrants the need to explore additional transportation alternatives to accommodate the needs of commuters. Currently, District 3 is conducting a Commuter Needs Study to determine how to best improve the area’s public transit, park-and-rides, and car pool programs. 

The study includes an extensive inventory of existing services and programs. Public outreach was integral in gathering input; this included conducting phone surveys, interviews, open houses and focus groups. The final study is anticipated to be completed in summer of 2012.

Additional information is available at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/transit/

Transit System Highlights (Congressional District 6)

Riverrider Public Transit

  • Began a new route for Options Inc. of Big Lake.  The deviated route increased access for general public riders in the Princeton and Zimmerman area.
  • Showed a small increase in ridership in 2010, despite that several of the strongest service areas were hit hard by the economic downturn.

St. Cloud Metro Bus-Fixed Route

  • Began renovation and expansion of downtown transit center.
  • Continued successful operation of Route 75 under the JARC federal grant program.
  • Started social media communications through Facebook page.

St. Cloud Metro Bus- Dial- A-Ride

  • Built express and direct services into paratransit operation to optimize group trips.
  • Continued the community outreach and travel training programs under the New Freedom federal grant program, expanding role of travel guides in rider training services.
  • Actively coordinated with growing Somali community to assist in travel training services for both fixed route and ADA services.

Transit System Highlights (Congressional Districts 6, 7 and 8)

Tri-Cap Transit Connection

  • Completed Stearns County redesign.
  • Developed contract services for two additional cities.
  • Expanded Mobility Management Services to cover Sherburne County.

Transit System Highlights (Congressional District 8)

Brainerd & Crow Wing Public Transit

  • Began route deviation “Express Route” service in August in Brainerd and Baxter.
  • Improved local transit website by adding route maps and language assist.
  • Continued to improve coordination by working directly with local health and human service agencies.

Chisago-Isanti County Heartland Express

  • Implemented flexible fixed route service for North Branch.
  • Worked with the Rushline Corridor TAC to provide extension routes to meet up with their 285 Commuter Route with plans to start the extension service in March 2011.

Pine River Ride With Us Bus

  • 100,000+ accident free miles.

Timber Trails Public Transit

  • Implemented a cooperative plan to transport Industries Inc. consumers on public transit.
  • Completed the pilot project for joint county public transit.

Wadena County Friendly Rider Transit

  • Provided the highest number of rides since starting transit system and celebrated our 250,000th rider.