Two Public Meetings – July 6 & 7 – provide an initial overview of potential impacts to reductions in transit funding!
NEWS FROM: MET COUNCIL
The Metropolitan Council is planning a series of public hearings to collect public input regarding potential transit service reductions and fare increases, which may be necessary given anticipated shortfalls in the regional transit operations budget.
Transit services are funded in part with state appropriations. Though transit services – including Metro Transit bus and rail, Metro Mobility, and Transit Link – will continue for a period of time in the event of a government shutdown, the long-term outlook for the transit budget is less certain. In the absence of a state budget, the Council is beginning the lengthy process of holding hearings to implement service adjustments and/or a fare increase, based on the scenario of a $110 million reduction previously proposed by the Legislature in the state’s general fund commitment to transit.
“We are preparing and planning for a significant impact on transit service,” says Council Chair Susan Haigh. “It’s important that we begin informing transit users and the general public about this serious issue and accept input from the public on potential service reductions and fare increases.”
Public meetings July 6 and 7
Two public meetings are set for July 6 and 7 to provide an initial overview of potential impacts, allow attendees to ask questions, and accept public comment. Please note that specific information about routes affected and specific fare increases will not be available at these meetings, though preliminary information will be available.
- Wednesday, July 6 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Council Offices – Chambers
390 North Robert Street, St. Paul
Served by many transit routes - Thursday, July 7 – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Served by many transit routes
Public hearings August 8 – 18
In addition, seven formal public hearings have been scheduled throughout the metropolitan area, beginning Aug. 8. These meetings will provide specific details about the service adjustments planned and any fare increase proposed:
Transit passengers could see higher fares and significantly reduced service if a state budget settlement includes cuts to state funding for transit.
Seven public hearings have been scheduled throughout the metropolitan area, beginning Aug. 8:
- Monday, Aug. 8 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bloomington Civic Plaza, Council Chambers
1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington
Served by Routes 535, 539 - Tuesday, Aug. 9 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Community Room
111 Main Street, Hopkins
Served by Route 12, 615, 664 - Wednesday, Aug. 10 – 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Served by many transit routes - Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Maplewood Library, Large Meeting Room
3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood
Served by Routes 64, 80, 219, 223 - Monday, Aug. 15 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Brookdale Library, Large Meeting Room
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center
Served by Route 722 - Tuesday, Aug. 16 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Metro Transit Offices – Chambers
560 – 6th Avenue North, Minneapolis
Served by routes 5, 19, 22 & 55 (Hiawatha LRT) - Thursday, Aug. 18 – 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Metropolitan Council Offices – Chambers
390 North Robert Street, St. Paul
Served by many transit routes
The specific proposals for fare and service adjustments will be available on the Council’s website (www.metrocouncil.org) no later than July 29.
A public comment period will open July 5 and comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Aug. 29 by the following methods:
- Written comments: Metropolitan Council Data Center
390 N. Robert St., St. Paul, 55101 - Fax comments to: Data Center at 651-602-1464
- Send TTY comments to: Data Center at 651-291-0904
- Email: data.center@metc.state.mn.us
- Record comments on Council’s Public Comment Line at 651-602-1500
In the event that budget negotiations produce a different fiscal outlook for the transit budget, the Council Chair has the authority to reschedule the public hearings to allow time to review the service and fare proposals. If this happens, the proposals will be available at least 10 days before the first rescheduled public hearing. The public comment period will also be extended to end 10 days after the last public hearing.
The Council may also conduct public meetings ahead of the public hearings in August to provide general information about the current budget situation and the impacts that a significant reduction will have on regional transit services and fares.
