Metro Transit ridership has risen steadily over the past few months. Average weekday ridership reached nearly 120,000 in May – fast approaching the COVID-era highwater mark set in October 2021. “What we’re really seeing is one of many pieces of evidence that there is a greater return to office commute travel behavior happening,” said Eric Lind, manager of analytics and research. Escalating gas prices and other changes in travel behaviors may also play a role. Learn more about the recent ridership increase.

For the first time in three years, the Met Council’s Metro HRA has opened its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list. The deadline for applicants is noon on Tuesday, June 28. About 2,000 low-income households will be placed on the list and await vouchers for federal rent assistance. Learn more about the program, or apply online. 

The METRO Blue Line Extension officially has a new route after the Hennepin County Board and Met Council voted to adopt the revised route modification. These actions allow project leaders to move forward on this important transit project by continuing environmental, design, engineering, and anti-displacement activities in preparation for the eventual full funding grant agreement application to the Federal Transit Administration. Read more about how the modifications will benefit more riders in the Twin Cities. 

The Met Council recently approved four Livable Communities grants, including two grants to the City of Minneapolis to address damages on Lake Street from civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd. The predevelopment grants total $475,000 and are from an account in the Livable Communities program that funds project feasibility studies, site planning, and community engagement work. Read more about the program and each of the projects awarded funds.  

Progress continues on several arterial bus rapid transit lines that will bring more reliable service and an improved customer experience to some of the region's busiest transit corridors. Lighted and heated shelters, off-board ticket machines, and reat-time signs are among the amenities on these lines. Learn about the latest advances on the METRO B, D, and E Line corridors.

This week, the Met Council endorsed Metro Transit's plan to create a safer and more welcoming transit systems for riders, employees, and the communities we serve. The new Safety & Security Action Plan identifies 40 actionable ways we can create a more welcoming transit experience. It's the latest step in a concerted effort to solicit and use public feedback to improve our transit services. Find out what's in the plan and what we hope it achieves.

Metro Transit bus operators are great at their jobs. And once a year, they compete to find out who's the best at it. As an added bonus this year, the public gets to join in the fun. On Saturday, June 25, bus operators will compete in the championship round near the Mall of America. The Bus Roadeo also includes an award ceremony, celebrity competition, entertainment, exhibitors, free food, and more. Job seekers can even apply and interview. Check out more details about the annual event, including dates and times for preliminary competition rounds.

For more than 50 years, the Met Council has enacted a one-of-a-kind tax-sharing program to improve fiscal equity. The Fiscal Disparities program requires municipalities in the Twin Cities region to contribute a portion of their commercial and industrial tax bases to reduce large differences in property tax wealth between communities. Nearly $720 million was shared and distributed between municipalities in 2022. Learn more about how commercial and industrial development benefits every community in the Twin Cities region.