Do you use transit in Greater Minnesota? The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to hear from you.
MnDOT recently opened a public comment period for its Greater Minnesota Transit Plan. This plan will update the agency’s transit policies, assess mobility needs, and establish goals and strategies for public transit. The plan builds on previous related plans to create comprehensive transit strategies and recommendations.
Minnesota is one of the country’s best states for transportation, and transit access is one reason why. MnDOT works closely with communities in Greater Minnesota to identify transit opportunities, partnering with 39 Greater Minnesota public transit systems (27 rural, 7 urban, and 5 tribal) to offer scheduled transit service in 80 counties outside the Twin Cities. These transit operators provide more than 7.5 million rides to Minnesotans annually.
During the Walz-Flanagan Administration, MnDOT has funded and delivered more than 600 transit vehicles and funded more than 14 new or improved transit facilities across Greater Minnesota.
“Transit is a key component of Minnesota’s multimodal transportation system, contributing to the health of people, the environment, and the economy,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “MnDOT strives to ensure quality public transit systems are available to citizens across the state. Listening to our stakeholders is part of our mission to provide dependable multimodal transportation systems.”
Plan goals include:
- Updating MnDOT’s transit policies
- Increasing mobility and access for all Minnesotans
- Establishing goals and strategies for public transit that promote coordinated, equitable, and innovative mobility
- Developing clear and understandable metrics for both rural and urban systems
- Creating future transit strategies, policies, and recommendations that shape the future of transit in Minnesota
What’s Next?
MnDOT will collect comments online through the public comment period, which ends July 25. MnDOT also invites the public to participate in two virtual listening sessions:
- Session 1: Monday, June 22, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Session 2: Tuesday, June 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
Listening session links are available on the project webpage. Each session will contain the same content, so participants can attend at whichever time best meets their needs.
Following the public comment period, MnDOT will hold final meetings with each project committee to present the results of public feedback and any proposed revisions. Project staff will refine the plan based on public feedback and pursue approval by the end of 2026.
