As crime fell 6% last year on Metro Transit, ridership increased by nearly the same amount, officials announced Monday.
Metro Transit says the ridership growth can be partially attributed to programs making transit more affordable and easier to use.
For instance, University of Minnesota and other college students took nearly 2.8 million rides using Universal Transit Pass, a 33% increase from 2023. It allows students to ride as often as needed at no direct cost; student fees cover program costs at the U of M.
Last year was the third consecutive year that ridership grew, with Metro Transit providing more than 47.5 million rides. Average weekday ridership was 143,696. Ridership in bus rapid transit corridors increased nearly 14% from 2023, and three new BRT lines will open this year.
“People are voting with their feet, and they’re telling us they value the kind of frequent and reliable service we’re providing in our METRO corridors,” said Charlie Zelle, chairman of the Metropolitan Council, which operates Met Transit, in a statement.
1,000+ citations for smoking
There were 7,402 crimes reported on transit last year, 6 percent fewer than 2023. Last year’s total included 1,127 citations for smoking, which Metro Transit says officers “proactively addressed throughout the year.”
Metro Transit is continuing to grow its Transit Rider Investment Program, which are civilian agents who will ride the Green and Blue lines, issuing administrative citations for nonpayment of fares. They also educate passengers about the Passenger Code of Conduct with “Your Role as a Rider” reminders, and share information about routes and schedules.
The agency is also further investing in supplemental security, and working to recruit more police and community service officers.
Safety Ambassadors from St. Paul’s Downtown Improvement District will begin monitoring light rail stations and nearby bus stops in downtown St. Paul this month.
“We are taking a whole community approach to public safety, and the results are speaking for themselves,” said Interim Metro Transit Police Chief Joe Dotseth.
Influx in hiring
Metro Transit says the hiring of more than 450 new operators last year, the most in the agency’s history, supported service improvements. There are now more than 1,300 bus and train operators working for Metro Transit.
The agency simplified and lowered fares at the start of this year. On all non-express bus routes and light rail — all day, every day — full-price adult fares are now $2, while youth, seniors and Medicare recipients are now $1.
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