A New Vision for Transit in the Twin Cities Region

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The opening of the Hiawatha Light Rail line is a first step toward implementing the Metropolitan Council’s original Transit 2020 Master Plan.

That plan, released in 2000, calls for a network of dedicated transit corridors including commuter rail, light rail and dedicated busways, and a doubling of the regional bus system. Because of decreasing state investment in transit capital and operating dollars over the past four years, the Met. Council has only been able to implement two components of the plan—Hiawatha light rail and a partially completed reorganization of the bus system. To fully implement the Transit 2020 Master Plan, the region needs increasing and dedicated funding for transit like the state and region have for highway expansion. Most other U.S. regions have a dedicated funding source for transit that allows them to expand and operate growing regional transit systems.

Due to the lack of a funding source and a new slate of Met Council members appointed by Governor Pawlenty, in late 2004 the Met Council revised its Transportation Policy Plan to move the completion of several of these projects back to 2030.

What the original Transit Master Plan proposes:

1. Doubling the bus system. The plan proposes to greatly expand and reorganize the transit system in the Twin Cities region. It calls for a doubling of the Metro Transit including buses, transit garages, transit stations, and park and ride lots. It calls for new bus routes and increased frequency on existing routes. It calls for more visible facilities (bus shelters and better signage) on high traffic urban and suburban streets.
2. A Network of dedicated transitways.
3. Development focused along transit corridors. A mix of with a mix of housing, retail, offices and open space in a pedestrian friendly environment.

Envision these Twin Cities Transitways:

Cedar Avenue – A 16-mile busway running from the Mall of American south to Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville.

Central – An 11-mile light rail line connecting downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis by way of University and Washington Avenues.

Hiawatha – A 12-mile light rail line running south from downtown Minneapolis to the Airport and the Mall of America.

Northstar – A 40-mile six-station commuter rail corridor linking downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake.

Northwest – A 22-mile busway from Minneapolis northwest to Robbinsdale, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Osseo, Dayton, Maple Grove and Rogers.

Red Rock – A 30-mile commuter rail corridor running north along Highway 61 from Hastings to St. Paul and on to Minneapolis.

Rush Line – An 80-mile corridor connecting downtown St. Paul with Hinckley.

Southwest – A light rail corridor extending southwest from downtown Minneapolis through Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.

Is there money to expand rail transit in our region?

The Twin Cities invests much less in public transit than peer cities. Our region has plans for expanded bus service and additional rail lines and dedicated busways, but lacks sufficient funding to make these projects a reality.

Download a PDF of this Transit Vision Factsheet (203kb)

Check out TLC’s other fact sheets:

• Hiawatha LRT Questions & Answers
• You Can Make a Difference
• New Rail Starts
• Subsidies for Roads and Transit
• Peer City Investment in Public Transit
• Sources of Funding for Transit in Peer Cities
• Myths about Transit in the Twin Cities Region
• Revenues to Minnesota’s Highway Users Tax Distribution Fund
• Transit Routes and Ridership in North American Cities
  

This fact sheet was produced with support from the Joyce Foundation,the McKnightFoundation, and the Minneapolis Foundation.