Minneapolis, Minnesota, Move Minnesota – I live in North Minneapolis with my spouse and our 9-year-old child. I use public transit regularly, both on my own and with my family, to get to work, meet friends, attend concerts and sporting events, and run errands. Transit is a big part of my daily routine, often combined with biking to make trips more convenient.
One of the best things about where I live is being just a block away from a bus rapid transit (BRT) stop. The buses come every 10 minutes during the day, so I rarely have to check the schedule, and it’s easy to get downtown quickly. However, if I need to travel east or west across the city, I face much longer wait times—sometimes 30 or 40 minutes between buses. That makes planning those trips a lot harder. I’m particularly excited about the expansion of the BRT routes in the area to help make those connections easier. I used to commute to downtown St. Paul for work and the trip would require two buses and about an hour of travel time. With the BRT improvements, that travel time will be reduced to about half an hour—close to what it takes to drive the same distance. These are the kinds of upgrades are key to creating a transit system that is convenient, reliable, and appealing to folks.
I’ve been impressed with some of the other investments Metro Transit has made, like the heated bus shelters on high-frequency routes. They’re not as warm as a cozy fireplace, but in Minnesota winters, every little bit helps. I’ve also found the agency responsive when issues come up, like broken heaters at stops. Still, many stops don’t have basic amenities like seating, which can make waiting uncomfortable.
One challenge I face is the lack of nearby grocery stores in North Minneapolis, a direct result of historical redlining. Getting to a grocery store often requires at least two buses, which is frustrating for something as simple as buying groceries. It’s a reminder of how transit improvements play an important role in addressing equity and access in underserved communities.
If I could share one message with Congress, it’s this—public transit isn’t just for commuting to work. People rely on transit for everything from visiting friends to attending events to accessing essential services. Investing in reliable, frequent transit systems, like expanding BRT, can connect people and improve lives. Programs like transit ambassadors, which provide safety without a heavy police presence, are also crucial to making transit welcoming for everyone.
Transit has the potential to be a cornerstone of sustainable, equitable communities, but it needs consistent funding and attention to truly meet the needs of all riders.