Transit Ridership
About the measures
Twin Cities transit systems
MnDOT’s public transit ridership targets for the Twin Cities metropolitan area are to increase public transit ridership. Twin Cities transit ridership is measured by the annual number of boardings recorded by all Twin Cities transit providers including the Met Council, the University of Minnesota, and the four suburban transit systems.
Greater Minnesota transit systems
MnDOT’s public transit ridership targets for Greater Minnesota are to increase public transit ridership throughout the state. There are 34 public transit systems serving at least a portion of all 80 counties in Greater Minnesota.
Where we want to go
Twin Cities transit systems
Through public transit providers, MnDOT is committed to providing multimodal transportation options. Access to safe and timely transit is a key piece of the multimodal transportation network. The Metropolitan Council, which operates Metro Transit and works with other metropolitan transit providers, expects additional growth in 2023. Some routes and services, like Metro Mobility, Metro Transit’s on-demand ride service for those with disabilities or health concerns, are operating at 80 percent of their pre-pandemic capacity. Changes in travel patterns continue to affect transit ridership – peak travel times moved from typical commute patterns to 3 p.m., ridership is lower Monday through Friday, and ridership is less predictable.
Greater Minnesota transit systems
MnDOT is focused on building a transit system that offers more reliable, predictable, and accessible service across Greater Minnesota. Although 93% of residents in Greater Minnesota have access to some form of public transit today, many still lack service when they need it most. Only 59% have evening service, 69% have Saturday service, and just 52% have Sunday service, limiting access to jobs, medical care, and daily activities. MnDOT's goal is to expand service spans, make regional travel easier, and ensure riders can depend on transit for all parts of daily life.
MnDOT also aims to support transit systems as they adapt to changing ridership and operational pressures. Since 2021, overall rural ridership has gradually been moving back to pre-pandemic levels, which includes increases in urban fixed-route ridership and urban paratransit ridership, reflecting the importance of accessible service options. By strengthening service planning, improving coordination between providers, and modernizing technology, MnDOT is working to help systems operate more of their planned services and make transit more accessible. These efforts will help create a modern, connected, and equitable transit system that keeps pace with changing community needs and supports mobility and independence for all Minnesotans