MnDOT seeking comments on Greater Minnesota Transit Plan

If 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.

MnDOT partners with 39 Greater Minnesota public transit systems — 27 rural, seven urban and five 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.

Goals for the Greater Minnesota Transit Plan 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.

MnDOT will collect comments on its Greater Minnesota Transit Plan online through the public comment period, which ends July 25. MnDOT also invites the public to participate in two virtual listening sessions: 1 to 2:30 p.m. June 22 and 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 23. 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 host 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.