Metro Transit is announcing that the Green Line is much safer than it was a year ago.
Metro Transit's collaboration with other agencies on their “Safe and Strong University Avenue” initiative is working, according to Metro Transit Police.
"More than 40% of riders now perceive the system as safer than six months ago," says Interim MTPD Chief Joe Dotseth.
A strong presence by law enforcement personnel on the route is making a huge difference and it will only get stronger this summer according to the agency.
"They'll be handling Midway beat, officers assigned to this beat on a regular basis, we're going to have bike units out this summer," Dotseth explains. "We're going to be doing other enforcement details along the corridor. So yeah, along with all that and then using a real-time information center, you're going to see a level of transit police on the system that we haven't seen in a long time."
It's a concerted effort to make riding the Green Line a safer experience. Dotseth says targeting quality of life crimes has been key.
"It could be people smoking on the train, playing loud music, being disorderly conduct," he adds. "Like I said, serious crime on the system remains relatively low and stable. It is those quality of life crimes that we need to address. Those quality of life crimes is what impacting rider's experience."
The total number of crimes on metro transit buses and trains is up slightly overall in the first quarter of 2025 - but some of those numbers have increased due to that increased presence of law enforcement. Reported crimes have dipped slightly year-over-year.
Green Line ridership continues to struggle since the pandemic. There's been a very slow growth since bottoming out in 2020 but the numbers remain around half what they were in 2019.
Buses replacing Green Line trains for maintenance
A heads up for Green Line riders. Buses will replace trains beginning Friday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. to allow for scheduled maintenance in the corridor, including needed track repair from winter damage.
The buses will replace Green Line trains between Raymond Ave. and Target Field stations in both directions. During the disruption, customers can board replacement buses near each affected station.
Metro Transit is also warning riders that the replacement bus timing can vary and trips may take longer because of needed routing and traffic conditions. Please plan extra time for your trip.
METRO Green Line trains will resume service for all stations at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2.