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Metropolitan Council supports loan authority to MnDOT, permanent free Metro Mobility fares and procurement tools
Summary
Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle told the conference committee the council supports authority to loan regional sales‑tax funds to MnDOT for coordinated projects, permanent free fares for Metro Mobility riders on regular routes and alignment of procurement preferences for small businesses.
Charlie Zelle, chair of the Metropolitan Council, told the transportation conference committee the council broadly supports many provisions in both House and Senate bills but flagged several priorities the council hopes to see in the final package.
"Making fares for Metro Mobility riders permanently free on regular route transit. This would continue a pilot project that has been successful," Zelle said, describing the council’s support for continuing the pilot and making the change permanent.
Why it matters: The Metropolitan Council runs transit and planning in the Twin Cities region; changes to its contracting authority, revenue-sharing and fare policy can materially affect service delivery and the timing of locally significant transit projects.
Met Council priorities and positive provisions
- Loan authority and coordinated projects: Zelle praised language that would allow the Met Council to loan regional transportation sales‑tax revenues to MnDOT to advance coordinated projects — a tool the council said would improve efficiency for corridor projects (Zelle referenced advancing the F Line BRT in coordination with a state highway project).
- Metro Mobility fares: The council supports making free fares for Metro Mobility‑eligible riders on Metro Transit routes permanent, continuing a pilot the council said has been popular and may reduce overall Metro Mobility costs.
- Procurement authority and reporting streamlining: The council asked conferees to align statutory procurement tools so Met Council can access state small‑business procurement authorities that other state agencies enjoy. Zelle also supported Senate provisions that reduce redundant reporting and align agency reporting requirements to improve transparency and efficiency.
Zelle said the Met Council will continue to work with conferees on language and implementation details.
Ending: The Met Council thanked committee staff and conferees, offered continued technical cooperation and said it looks forward to working through outstanding fiscal and policy details in conference.
