The actions within this strategy are divided into two categories:
Action we will DOActions we will SUPPORTAction we will do are followed by “DO” and are colored in dark gray, and actions we will support are followed by “SUPPORT” and are colored in light gray.
Learn more about how we get thereMany improvements can be made to transit within City streets, and by adapting the City’s practices. Bus priority lanes, adjustments to signal timing, curb extensions or in-lane transit stops, and stop consolidation are all examples of using existing street right of way to improve speed and reliability. Large transit projects often take years to plan, design, fund and construct, and often involve multiple agencies – including city, regional, state, federal offices as well as transit operators. This 10-year action plan recognizes that while that process is valid and necessary for certain types of transit projects like light rail or BRT projects, there are other quick-build opportunities that we can identify and implement in the near term to make improvements sooner rather than later. We need to invest now in transit projects. The actions below focus on near-term opportunities to improve the transit in the city.
Transit accounts for 13.5% of all commuter trips1. Over 200,000 employees work in downtown Minneapolis each day, and 45% arrive by transit. During busy commute times, bus service becomes unreliable due to congestion during peak travel hours. An added focus on downtown is included in this chapter due to the density of trips.
Bus-only lanes refer to using one travel lane for buses only, either for a select period of time or throughout the entire day depending on context.
Use full-time dedicated bus-only lanes or dynamic lanes (peak period operation) to improve the speed, frequency and reliability of transit on congested corridors.
Climate Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Install a bus-only lane, and/or other transit advantages, on the following high priority corridors:
Climate Equity Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)
Evaluate the potential for a bus-only lane, and/or other transit advantages, on the following corridors, considering partnerships with other jurisdictions.
Climate Equity Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
Improve transit speed and reliability throughout downtown; focus on Nicollet Mall and Marquette/2nd Avenue operations first.
Climate Equity Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Plan for transit during street reconstruction projects. Ensure that road reconstruction projects on high frequency transit corridors allocate dedicated space for bus-only lanes or other transit advantages, and if applicable, integrate bus rapid transit-ready station design.
Climate Equity Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
Operations 9.1, Operations 9.2, Operations 9.3, Operations 9.4
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Prioritize the use of curb space for transit operations and passengers and allow for dynamic flexibility depending on the time of day.
Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
Operations 5.2
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Support transit advantages on freeways, including direct connections into and out of downtown, that rely on lane conversions instead of expansions where technically feasible and with consideration of local impacts. Direct connections into downtown should connect to streets with transit-only facilities, including from:
Climate Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Increase enforcement of bus-only lane operation to ensure effectiveness on existing and future routes.
Equity Mobility Active Partnerships
Operations 6.6
High
2020-2023 (Years 0-3)
On-going
Increase the size of the traffic control agent workforce, assign traffic control agents in coordination with transit operators, and ensure that traffic control agents are educated and focused on equitable outcomes that increase person throughput and prioritize the movement of transit vehicles over automobiles.
Climate Prosperity Mobility Active Partnerships
High
2024-2027 (Years 4-7)