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MVTA reports ridership gains, defends microtransit and electric fleet as state proposals target suburban providers
Summary
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority told the Burnsville City Council Connect microtransit ridership is growing, electric microtransit vehicles have cut emissions and fuel costs, and MVTA leaders warned a Metropolitan Council report and pending legislation (House File 4449) could shift suburban transit funding and services to Metro Transit.
Luther Winder, executive director of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, briefed the Burnsville City Council on MVTA’s expanding services, ridership gains and a push to correct what he called a misleading legislative report.
Winder said Burnsville ridership rose about 4.3% year-over-year and highlighted growth in MVTA’s on-demand Connect microtransit (main-zone ridership up roughly 37% and system-wide Connect up about 33%). He told the council that 65% of Connect customers use the service to travel to and from work and that nearly half of Connect households report annual incomes under $25,000. "Connect is a public-transit alternative to Uber and Lyft," Winder said, noting the $3 base fare and demographic trends that include about 47% customers of color and 60% women.
Winder described operational goals and constraints: average daily rides in the main…
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