Metro Transit outlines Network Now plan, expands safety staff and trip agents

Metro Transit officials told the Bloomington City Council on Jan. 27 that the agency plans a major service expansion through a system redesign called Network Now and is increasing layers of safety staff on trains and buses while piloting new microtransit service zones.

The presentation, led by Metro Transit General Manager Leslie Candares and Service Development Director Adam Harrington, described Network Now as an action plan to update routes and service levels through 2027 in response to post-pandemic travel changes. "Network Now is our vision for how we can improve our system and really update it to the travel needs of today all the way out to 2027," Harrington said.

The nut graf: Metro Transit proposed a 35% increase in service hours across the system in the concept plan presented last fall, with phased metro line and bus rapid transit investments, restoration of some suspended routes, earlier and later spans, and eight proposed Metro Micro zones that would provide app‑booked, on‑demand rides inside defined areas to connect riders to transit centers.

Metro Transit also emphasized public safety as a top priority. "As Metro Transit General Manager, there isn't a topic I am asked about more ... than public safety on transit," Candares said. She described three pillars of the agency's safety and security action plan: improving physical conditions on the system, training and supporting employees, and partnering with community organizations.

Agency officials said Metro Transit had about 109 sworn Metro Transit Police officers at the time of the presentation and an authorized strength of 171 officers in the 2025 budget. Candares said the agency expected to increase sworn staffing over time and is pursuing recruitment and retention initiatives. She told the council the agency was finishing 2024 with roughly a 6% decrease in reported crime compared with 2023.

To increase visible, non‑police presence, Metro Transit described several programs already under way: trip agents (customer service/fare inspection staff who carry Narcan and radios), community service officers, contracted supplemental security at high‑ridership locations, and continued partnerships with community organizations to connect riders with social services. Candares said Metro Transit had grown its trip agent program from zero to about 70 agents since launching the program, and planned to hire several dozen more that year.

Harrington reviewed the Network Now concept plan details and said staff received about 1,600 public comments during fall outreach, 15% of which mentioned Bloomington‑touching routes. The concept plan would add frequency on many routes (moving most to 30‑minute service spans), increase weekend service, and add microtransit service in defined zones intended to provide curb‑to‑curb trips to transit centers. "Our goal is to provide better frequency, better connections, strong connections to Normandale Community College, strong connections at 98th Street Station and 35W," Harrington said.

Council members asked about police staffing, crime statistics and counting (what incidents are included in Metro Transit Police reports), use of local police under past joint agreements, and specific route changes for Bloomington (Normandale service, route 546/539, park‑and‑ride adjustments, and proposed microzone geography). Harrington said some suspended commuter express routes with very low ridership would not return but that other routes serving Normandale Community College would be retained or rerouted to maintain access.

Ending: Metro Transit said it will refine Network Now based on public and city feedback and bring a recommended plan to the Metropolitan Council in March for endorsement. Council members asked staff to follow up on detailed route maps and station impacts as the plan is refined.

Quotes used in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and are attributed to the speakers listed below.