First fare adjustment in nearly a decade impacts all regional services New rates to go into effect October 1 Council makes permanent discounted
fare for low-income riders
Contact: Kate Brickman, 651-602-1518
Saint Paul—July 27, 2017—Following months of deliberation and public engagement, the
Metropolitan Council voted Wednesday to raise regular route bus and rail fares
by 25 cents and Metro Mobility fares by 50 cents, effective October 1, 2017.
The Council also voted to make permanent the Transit
Assistance Program (TAP) that provides a discounted fare of $1.00 per ride at
all times to qualifying low-income riders. A number of other adjustments were
also approved.
It is the first time transit fares have been raised in the
Twin Cities region since late 2008.
In 2016, ridership was 96.3 million rides. On an average
weekday, ridership is more than 250,000 rides. Research shows 80 percent of
riders are going to work or school.
“This was not an easy vote, but one that was necessary to
strengthen the future of transit in our region,” said Metropolitan Council
Chair Adam Duininck. “Transit connects hundreds of thousands Minnesotans with
jobs, school, and with their communities. This is the first fare adjustment we
have made in nearly a decade. I do recognize that some low-income individuals
who are dependent on transit may not be able to afford an increase at all. Therefore,
I’m pleased that the Council was able to mitigate the impact of a fare increase
on low-come income people, by making permanent the
Transit Assistance Program.”
The decision follows significant discussion and public
feedback related to pressures on the Council’s transit budget. Regional transit
services face significant challenges, including inflationary pressures, growth
in demand for Metro Mobility service, and a primary funding source for transit
– the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax – that is continually not meeting expectations.
The 2017 Legislature funded operations with an infusion of one-time money of
$75 million, and zero dollars for FY 2020-2021, which will result in the region
facing a transit deficit projected at $110 million.
“The reality is that transit services are getting more
expensive, and the legislature isn’t doing its part to provide a long-term,
stable funding source,” continued Chair Duininck. “Our riders depend on this
service, and our business leaders clearly recognize transit services play a
critical role in our regional economy. Despite overwhelming public support for
transit, leaders in the House and Senate chose a short-term fix and ignored transit’s
on-going needs. Raising fares is the responsible thing to do and preferable to
cutting services – but I want to be clear, we can’t solve our budget problem
with fare increases alone. The Legislature must act to create sustainable,
dedicated transit funding.”
The Council action will result in an estimated $6.8 million
in additional revenue per year.
The Council’s action affects all regional transit services,
including those operated by Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, the Metropolitan
Council (Transit Link and suburban service), and suburban transit providers
(Maple Grove Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Plymouth MetroLink,
and SouthWest Transit). Transit fares, under state law and regional policy, must
be set on a regional basis and be consistent across providers.
Regional Transit Fares – Effective October 1, 2017
Fare Current
Rate New
Rate (Oct. 1)
Local (bus/rail) Off-Peak $1.75 $2.00
Local (bus/rail) Peak $2.25 $2.50
Express bus Off-Peak $2.25 $2.50
Express bus Peak $3.00 $3.25
Senior/Youth/Medicare Off-Peak $.75 $1.00
Senior/Youth/Medicare
Peak (local) $2.25 $2.50
Senior/Youth/Medicare Peak (express) $3.00 $3.25
Metro
Mobility Off-Peak $3.00 $3.50
Metro Mobility Peak $4.00 $4.50
Surcharge for trips over 15 miles None $0.75 (non-ADA mandated trips)
Transit Link Off-Peak $2.25
- $6.75 (distance-based) $3.50
Transit Link Peak $2.25
- $6.75 (distance-based) $4.50
Surcharge for trips over 15 miles None $0.75
Northstar (to/from Minneapolis)
Big Lake $6.00 $6.25
Elk River $4.50 $4.75
Ramsey $3.50 $3.75
Anoka $3.00 $3.25
Coon Rapids/Riverdale $3.00 $3.25
Fridley $3.00 $3.25
Station-to-Station $3.00 $3.25
Additional
Adjustments
Fares for the Transit Link service, the region’s on-demand,
dial-a-ride transit service, will now be aligned with Metro Mobility fares,
given the similarity of the services. In addition, only cash or stored value
Go-To cards will be accepted on Transit Link and Metro Mobility.
Additionally, the Council action eliminated the bonus for
stored value Go-To Card purchases. Several other passes will also have
different prices related to the increased base fares. Full proposal
Study on Future Fare
Adjustments
In addition, the Council directed staff to study and respond
to the following:
- When
best to consider future fare adjustments (including factors of ridership,
subsidy, impacts on transit-dependent communities, people of color, people with
disabilities, youth, seniors)
- Role
of travel distances in fare policy
- Potential
ways to implement a fare for “reverse commute” express service, to grow
ridership
- Progress
on the TAP program to address potential opportunities for expansion
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