Metro Transit outlines layered safety plan, administrative citations and staffing gaps to Senate committee

Metro Transit officials told the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on March 17 that a multi-layered safety and rider-experience action plan is being implemented across light-rail and bus rapid transit lines, but that staffing shortfalls in the Metro Transit Police Department and gaps in citation compliance are limiting immediate impact.

"Everyone who travels and works on our system deserves to have an experience that's safe, clean, and welcoming," said Jillian Linnell, chief of staff for Metro Transit, while presenting the transit safety and rider experience legislative report. The plan, adopted by the Metropolitan Council in June 2022, organizes more than 40 actions around improving conditions on the system, training and supporting employees, and engaging customers and partners.

Officials described several active layers of presence intended to improve safety: the Transit Service Intervention Pilot (TSIP), supplemental contracted security officers, the transit rider…