https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNORGMETC/bulletins/348ed12   

There's been a lot of hand-wringing about the future of transit ridership in an increasingly online world. Fair enough. But for a variety of reasons, including how scary it can be to drive, there are signs the next generation of would-be drivers will be more open to taking the bus. The above graphic from The Washington Post illustrates an encouraging trend that would seem to work in transit's favor. And it's not just Zoomers; Millennials who are further along in life are also driving less than earlier generations. In short, as one observer said: “You have a group of people signaling with their actions that they want something different from the transportation system. They need more options to be able to live their lives the way they want to.” Alright! 

-- Drew

Situational Awareness

• February. Not a fan. But, just 33 more days until Spring!

• Monster Jam comes to U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend.

• Some crane lifts this Sunday and next Sunday will require the Government Plaza Station to be closed between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and may lead to some delays.   

• The Black History Month Celebration will be held at the North Loop Garage on Friday, Feb. 24. Read all about it here.

• Save the dates: APTA's Mobility Conference will be held in the Twin Cities April 23-26. All staff will be able to attend educational sessions with an agency ID. More information will be shared soon. 

Metropolitan Council

• The Committee of the Whole meets this afternoon to consider revised bus and rail agency safety plans (different than the Safety & Security Action Plan) and hear about transitway planning policy.

  • A policy adopted late last year requires the Council and local project sponsors to "develop a risk register, establish roles and responsibilities that address project risks, and reflect these in agreements."

  • The Council is now moving to incorporate this policy into its long-range transportation plan. The METRO Purple Line and Blue Line Extension are likely to be the first projects where the policy is applied. 

• Friendly (repeated) reminder: Submit an Awarding Accomplishment nomination at any time to have employees considered for recognition at Transportation Committee. 

• Some familiar names in the list of Council Member candidates who have been forwarded to Gov. Tim Walz. Walz will select new members in advance of the statutory deadline, March 6. 

Managers' Meeting

• The next Managers' Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 8. The tentative agenda includes: 

  • A look at efforts to update and better communicate a Code of Conduct, a project being led by Pam Steffen and Maria Cone. 

  • An update on Network Now, an effort to develop service change recommendations that could be implemented through 2027. 

• If you missed last week's meeting, a recording is up on Stream.

• As reminders:

  • If you don't have these meetings on your calendar, please email Liz Maday. 

  • To suggest a topic for a future meeting, join a work group that meets to review agendas, or suggest a manager/supervisor for recognition please email Drew Kerr.

• Managers interested in having high school interns this summer are invited to submit a request form by Friday, Feb. 17. 

  • At Metro Transit, five high school students will be afforded opportunities to participate in the Step Up program. 

  • Internships will run from mid-June through mid-August and students will work part- or full-time, depending on the request. 

• For more information contact Luis Martinez. 

Job postings

• Licensed Journeyman Electrician (closes 2/20)

• Senior Market Development Specialist-Customer Tools (closes 2/20)

• Assistant Manager-Street Operations (closes 2/20)

• Senior Communications Specialist-Public Safety (closes 3/3) 

• General Manager (extended)

Review all current job postings

Happening at home

• KSTP has the scoop on two lovebirds who rekindled their relationship on the bus and now hand-off their one-year-old daughter as one leaves and one reports to work at Heywood Garage. 

• The residential population in downtown Minneapolis grew just over 1% last year, the smallest increase in five years. 

• In downtown Saint Paul, officials are doing what they can to improve conditions across the five-mile skyway network. 

• The imminent closures of an Aldi and Walgreens in North Minneapolis is alarming residents who will face longer treks to access food, prescription drugs and other items. 

• Throwback! Fox 9 re-shot an old spot on a light rail train to celebrate the return of their popular "Wake Up" jingle.  

Happening elsewhere

• In New York, "an uptick in subway crime during the pandemic has only deepened a longstanding wariness that is second nature for some women on public transit."

• Atlanta's MARTA issued more than 5,000 temporary or yearlong suspensions and saw a "significant" reduction in violent crime last year. 

• Denver's RTD is considering dropping fares for riders under 19 and lowering the cost of base fares and other fare products. 

• A conversation with Boston's chief of streets about the MBTA's experience dropping fares on some routes, and what may happen next. 

• Pedestrian deaths in the U.S. have reached their highest level in 40 years.