MN HF4111

Metropolitan Council becomes the exclusive transit operator for the seven-county Twin Cities metro area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) effective July 1, 2027, prohibiting local governments from directly operating transit services except under council agreements.

Local replacement transit service programs under section 473.388 expire June 30, 2027, with the council required to maintain substantially similar routes and service levels for at least one year after consolidation begins.

Transit Consolidation Task Force of 11 members must be appointed by August 15, 2026, and convened by September 15, 2026, to advise on implementation; a preliminary implementation plan and joint report are due February 1, 2027.

Council must submit annual performance reports on unified transit operations starting October 15 after the first full calendar year, covering metrics such as on-time performance, passengers per service hour, operating costs, staffing impacts, and per-passenger subsidies.

Transit service enhancement study due February 1, 2028, must identify and prioritize corridors for potential bus rapid transit, express bus, or commuter bus service in communities previously served by the replacement service program.