MN HF2605

Requires the Metropolitan Council to establish and enforce a 25-cent fare for regular route bus and light rail transit in the metropolitan area, with any fare increases requiring legislative approval.

Requires the commissioner of transportation to mandate greater Minnesota urbanized area transit systems receiving public transit assistance to establish and enforce a 25-cent fare, with any increases requiring legislative approval.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the Metropolitan Council for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to replace revenue lost from lower fares and cover incremental costs of serving additional riders.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the Department of Transportation for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to assist greater Minnesota transit systems in replacing lost revenue and covering incremental service costs from lower fares.

Finds that reducing transit fares increases ridership and is a cost-effective way to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, since fares currently cover less than one-fourth of transit costs.