Minnesota Intercity Bus Network Fun Facts

• 85% of rural residents live within 25 miles of an existing intercity bus stop
• Intercity Bus is an energy efficient transportation mode
• 160 passenger miles per gallon of fuel on average (scheduled service)
• 51 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per passenger mile on average

 

Intercity Bus Maps

• Existing Intercity Bus Services 2009 (PDF 388 KB)
• Existing and Historical Intercity Bus Services 2009 and 1995 (PDF 472 KB)
• Relative Transit Need by Density of Transit Dependent Persons (PDF 1.1 MB)
• Relative Transit Need by Percent of Transit Dependent Persons (PDF 650 KB)
• Intercity Bus Network and Major Destinations (PDF 1016 KB)
• Annual Average Daily Traffic 2004-2007 (PDF 960 KB)
• Conceptual MN Intercity Bus Networks (PDF 442 KB)
  

 

Advisory Committee PowerPoints

• March 26, 2009 (3.5 MB)
• May 6, 2009 (71 KB)
• June 10, 2009 (468 KB)
• September 29, 2009 (639 KB)

 

 

 

Download Complete Plan

Intercity Bus Network Study, April 2010 - PDF (8 MB)

Intercity Bus

is a regularly scheduled, fixed-route bus service for the general public, which operates with limited stops between two or more urban areas that are not in close proximity. Intercity bus is capable of carrying baggage and makes a meaningful connection with the national intercity network; it is not commuter service. 

 

Potential Riders

• Young adults (ages 18-24)
• Car-free households
• Older Adults (age 60 and above)
• Persons living below the poverty level
• Persons with a mobility limitation
  
  

An analysis of population groups using statewide Census data showed areas with high, medium, and low relative levels of intercity bus need. These areas were compared to the existing intercity bus network to determine where gaps exist and to plan improvements and additions to the state network as needed.

 

On-Board Surveys

provided a picture of current intercity bus riders:

• The passengers tend to be students in school or working young adults, who either don’t have a car, a car is not available for the trip, or using the car is too expensive The very high percentage of one-person travel parties suggests that people prefer to share rides, when available, because it is less expensive than the bus. However, a significant number of riders would make trips less frequently or forgo trips if the bus was not available.  Passengers would like faster travel times, but also more frequency and lower fares.
• The Minnesota population using these buses is generally making intercity trips over longer distances to and from a wide variety of places, rather than from small town to big city and back.  This may reflect that travel times and schedules do not facilitate a morning in/evening out trip to the Twin Cities from much of the state.

 

Future Demand

The traditional intercity bus market has been in slow decline, but more people have been riding the bus due to additional services. For example, Jefferson Lines passengers have increased from 147,400 to 166,600 between 2006 and 2007.

 

In Minnesota the population in the 65 and above group is forecast to increase by 75 percent from 2005 to 2025, and this population group will be 53 percent female. Overall, older adults make 4.3 percent of their long-distance trips (over 50 miles) by intercity bus, and the percentage of such trips by women is higher at 6.4 percent (compared to 5.4 percent for air travel).  The projected increase in Minnesota’s older adult population should increase the demand for intercity bus services in the state.

 

Though overall rural travel demand has been flat in terms of vehicle miles traveled and rural population growth is low, intercity bus ridership will likely be stable with continued funding and support for intercity bus services.

 

Technical Memorandums

1: Project Background and Context - Word (223 KB) PDF (7.9 MB)

2: Population Characteristics and Need for Intercity Bus Service - Word (240 KB) PDF (16.4 MB)

 

Intercity Bus Grant Program

The Minnesota Intercity Bus Network Study was developed in part to guide MnDOT's investments under the Federal Section 5311 (f) grant program, which provides operating and capital support to eligible operators for intercity bus service to the non-urbanized communities of Greater Minnesota.