MVTA tells Sustainable Eagan panel ridership rose, details Connect service and fleet electrification plans

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority officials reported to the Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission on Feb. 10 that ridership and sustainability efforts are showing measurable gains and that several service adjustments will take effect in March. "From 2024 to 2025, overall, we saw ridership increases of almost 8%," said Joya Stedson, MVTA community and economic development director.

MVTA officials emphasized growth on express and Eagan routes. "Our Eagan services were up about 7% compared to last year," Stedson said, noting particular gains on Route 436 and higher event ridership tied to extended hours at the Eagan Transit Station. Cassandra Wiedrich, MVTA marketing supervisor, described Connect, the agency's on‑demand microtransit: "It's like an Uber and Lyft, but transit style. It's $3 regardless of the time of day," she said, adding that the Eagan zone averaged about 161 daily Connect rides in 2025 and an average wait time of roughly 21 minutes.

MVTA officials framed Connect as both a first‑mile option and a standalone door‑to‑door service. Wiedrich said a survey showed many Connect riders use the service to reach work and that nearly half said they would otherwise use ride‑hail services. The agency reported a roughly 6.4% year‑over‑year increase in Eagan Connect ridership for 2025 and said broader Connect growth measured over other recent periods has been substantially higher.

On service planning, MVTA said it will replace Route 442 with Route 440 and will reroute Route 445 in March to add a stop at the community center; Route 489 is being reviewed for low ridership while Route 436 has received service increases. Officials also flagged changes at Blackhawk Park & Ride tied to Route 470.

Sustainability and fleet investments were a central focus. "In total, it adds up to about 2.9 million kilograms of CO2e or just under 3,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided," said Mindy Pulocki, MVTA strategic manager, summarizing MVTA's 2025 emissions avoided from transit trips. Pulocki said MVTA's 2023 sustainability plan helped the agency join the APTA sustainability commitment and be selected for Federal Transit Administration sustainability training; MVTA also received a federal grant to help purchase seven new hybrid‑electric buses as part of fleet modernization and longer‑term electrification planning.

Commissioners asked several operational questions. A member asked about cold‑weather performance of electric vehicles and heat loss from large doors; MVTA staff said the vehicles performed well in snow and cold, that heaters can recover cabin warmth quickly, but that heating reduces electric range. Staff also recommended using the Connect app's "arrive by" booking option to improve reliability for timed transfers and described travel training, employer partnerships and event service as tactics to recruit first‑time riders.

MVTA officials said they are working with local partners on marketing—citing joint video promotions with Enjoy Eagan and collaborations with Viking Lakes and the Twin Cities Premium Outlets—and encouraged commission members to share constituent feedback. The agency noted real‑time signage and customer service enhancements at the Eagan Transit Station to improve rider experience.

The presentation closed with staff offering to return with updated ridership data; MVTA told the commission it had already seen record ridership days in 2026 and will report again as service changes take effect.