from the series Metro Transit…
By JOHN CHARLES WILSON
On October 1, 2023, sales tax in the Twin Cities metro area went up by 0.75% for transportation. 17% of that revenue goes to the individual counties, while 83% goes to the Metropolitan Council. Of the Council’s share, 95% is for transit, while 5% is for walking and biking infrastructure. Officials estimate that $433 million will go to transit in 2024. This may sound inconsequential to some, but that $433 million is already making a difference.
That extra nickel or dime on your next fast food meal will continue to bring transit improvements over the next few years. Transit officials will implement schedule improvements on December 7, 2024. Here is a list of changes affecting the alley readership area:
The D Line and Routes 2, 5, 21, and 22 will have schedule adjustments to reflect the end of summer construction.
The Orange Line will run every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours, and every 15 minutes instead of every half hour in the early mornings and evenings on weekdays, and all day on weekends. Service will run 4:30 AM to midnight every day, instead of 5 AM to 11 PM on weekdays, and 6 AM to 10 PM on Saturdays, and 7 AM to 10 PM on Sundays.
Route 67 will have time adjustments for construction in downtown Saint Paul.
Route 578 will now run three AM and three PM rush hour trips. instead of one AM and two PM trips.
More improvements are in the works over the next three years; this is just the beginning. This is all part of the Network Now program being rolled out. Keep up with Metro Transit changes by reading the alley, or by checking out the glorious Metro Transit website at www.metrotransit.org.
John Charles Wilson is a transit enthusiast who has been interested in this field since the 1970s.
