Metro Transit is significantly expanding its bus service.
Beginning August 16, there will be more frequent trips on the system's busiest routes, all-day express service from multiple suburban "park and ride" lots, and the return of two popular express routes that were suspended during the pandemic.
With the influx of Target workers returning to downtown Minneapolis this fall, Metro Transit spokesman Drew Kerr says more transit options will come in handy.
"We are recognizing that there are gonna be more people coming back to the office and as they do, they're also looking for more flexibility than maybe we would have had in the past," says Kerr. "And that's what some of these changes are aimed at, is giving people more options to take transit at times that work well for them."
It also comes with Metro Transit being able to hire many more drivers over the past several months - but just as importantly, they've been able to provide a safer experience.
Kerr says recent safety improvements like Trip Agents and police officers riding transit are paying off, with riders reporting feeling safer on buses, trains and at transit stops in their most recent customer survey.
"We've seen in our most recent customer survey that people are telling us they feel safer waiting at the train station or the bus stop," he said. "They feel safe being on the vehicle, and those are great indicators to us that the work that's being done to improve the experience people are having on transit is being seen and felt by those who are using the service."
Kerr says there are 200 more drivers on the lines this summer compared to last year.