Politics & Government

State of Shutdown: Transit Cuts Coming

Fifteen bus routes currently serve the city of Minnetonka.

Metro Transit has proposed cutting bus routes throughout the metro within the next year because of potential funding cuts from the Minnesota state Legislature.

The Metropolitan Council is bracing to lose 85 percent of the state's general fund contribution to transit for 2012-2013 if the Minnesota state Legislature passes the latest budget plan at the end of the state government shutdown—a worst-case scenario reduction of $109 million.

If the actual budget echoes these projections, the Met Council says it will be forced to slash or limit 130 of 146 bus routes across the Twin Cities.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It also faces elimination of most suburban local and crosstown bus routes and fare increases of 25 to 50 cents per ride.

Met Council officials haven’t named specific routes for proposed cutting or reduced scheduling. Overall, a 25 percent reduction to service hours could be seen across the transit system.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fifteen metro transit routes currently serve the city of Minnetonka. The Met Council aims to finalize plans for fares and service routes by September and implement changes by early 2012.

The regional transportation network, including Metro Transit, has an annual budget of $375 million. But the challenge, according to John Levin, director of service development for Metro Transit, is responding to a proposed $109 million reduction in state funding for metro area transit.

Of course, with reduced operations comes reduced revenue from ridership. The Met Council anticipates losing as many as 17 million annual bus rides because of the reduced routes and increased fares.

“The only way to address this shortfall is to cut deeply into the services we provide,” Levin said.

In addition to the service cuts, the Met Council expects more than 500 regular route transit operators and related staff to lose their jobs, and more than 200 buses to go unused.

“This is the beginning of a process where we're looking to prepare for the worst, but truly hope for the best for the system and its future," said Jon Commers, vice chair of the council’s Community Development Committee and member of the Transportation Committee.

The Met Council is planning seven public hearings to consider testimony from residents.

 Here are the dates, times and locations of these hearings:

  • Aug. 8 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Bloomington Civic Plaza)
  • Aug. 9 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Hopkins Center for the Arts)
  • Aug. 10 – Noon to 1 p.m. (Minneapolis Central Library)
  • Aug. 11 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Maplewood Library)
  • Aug. 15 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Brookdale Library, Brooklyn Center)
  • Aug. 16 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Metro Transit Offices, Minneapolis)
  • Aug. 18 – Noon to 1 p.m. (Metropolitan Council Offices, Saint Paul) 

Current Minnetonka Metro Transit Routes

Route 9

From Greenbrier/Hopkins High School to downtown Minneapolis

Route 12

From Opus to downtown Minneapolis

Route 615

Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park circulator. From Ridgedale through Knollwood to Excelsior & Grand.

Route 641/671

From Excelsior through Minnetonka to downtown Minneapolis

Route 643

Reverse Commute from downtown Minneapolis to Greenbrier

Route 663

From Greenbrier to downtown Minneapolis

Route 664

From Highway 7/County Road 101 to downtown Minneapolis

Route 665

From Opus to downtown Minneapolis

Route 667

From Highway 7/County Road 101 to downtown Minneapolis

Route 670

From Orono through Highway 7/County Road 101 to downtown Minneapolis

Route 671

From Shorewood through Ridgedale to downtown Minneapolis

Route 672

From Wayzata Park and Ride through Carlson Parkway to downtown Minneapolis

Route 673

From County Road 73/I-394 Park and Ride to downtown Minneapolis

Route 674

From Orono through Carlson Parkway to downtown Minneapolis

Route 675

From Mound Transit Center through Carlson Parkway and Ridgedale to downtown Minneapolis

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To follow the latest shutdown developments and impacts to Minnetonka residents, read these stories on Minnetonka Patch:

July 7: Minnetonka's Gunyou on 'Third Way' Committee Experience, Proposal

July 7: Committee Releases ‘Third Way’ Solution: Income Taxes for Everyone

July 7: State of Shutdown: Impact on City’s ‘Most Vulnerable’

July 6: 


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