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 7 Transit

Nine of District 7’s 13 counties have county-wide transit systems (two are multi-county systems with District 8). The cities of Mankato and North Mankato, and St. Peter and LeSueur have city systems.

Nicollet, Blue Earth, Waseca and LeSueur counties have no public transit (5311) systems. Some of those transit needs are being met through Section 5310, 5316 and 5317 grants to VINE — Faith-in-Action of Mankato.

Current Initiatives

• A re-alignment study for Mankato Transit is underway and includes plans for Bus Rapid Transit and a potential four-county transit system to include: Blue Earth, Nicollet, LeSueur and Waseca counties.
• Assisting with development of Mankato Transit building project.
• Assisting with six-member purchasing consortium, including Martin and Brown counties implementing new dispatching software for their transit systems.
• The city of Mankato received $2 million in state bond funding to begin construction of a bus garage at their new Public Works site at the former MnDOT headquarters.
• Martin County will begin new routes to Jackson and Blue Earth for work trips through the federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant program.
• Worked with the RDC to complete a new transit coordination plan. 

Transit System Highlights (Congressional District 1)

Brown County Heartland Express

• Surpassed the 1 million passenger trip mark in December 2010.
• Joined five-member Transit Consortium to obtain a Federal ARRA Grant to purchase and implement ITS software and related equipment.
• Replaced communications system.

Cottonwood County Transit

• Offered summer pass to children at reduced rates.

Faribault County Prairie Express

• Continued out-of-county services and expanded service hours.

Mankato – Greater Mankato Transit System

• Undertaking an operational redesign of transit system. Replaced Class 400 and Class 600 buses with Class 500 and Class 700 buses.

Martin County Transit

• Completed project planning for dispatching software funded through ARRA.

Prairieland Transit

• Coordinated with neighboring transit systems to allow Nobles County residents greater access to additional transportation options.
• Provided 20 routes in Nobles County each week with two Prairieland Transit buses.
• Made Nobles County Heartland Express bus service available to all 14 communities in Nobles County five times each week.

Transit System Highlights (Congressional Districts 1 and 2)

St. Peter Transit

• Increased ridership by 7 percent over 2009.
• Signed new contract with Gustavus Adolphus College to operate “The Gus Bus.”

Transit System Highlights (Congressional Districts 2 and 7)

Le Sueur Heartland Express

• Increased ridership by 3% over 2009
• Installed defibrillators in buses.