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Collaborative Employee Transit

Closer Bus Stop
Closer Bus Stop

MVTA understands that sometimes existing trips pass a business and do not directly stop at the site. When operationally possible, MVTA considers requests to add a closer bus stop or move existing stops.

Bus Stop Sign
Bus Stop Sign

MVTA operates non-stop (express), by designated bus stop, or by flag stop (where riders may wave for the operator to stop in any safe location) depending on the route. MVTA regularly reviews requests for physical bus stop signs and works with appropriate jurisdictions to install.

Bus Shelter
Bus Shelter

Bus shelters can offer a great opportunity to protect riders from the elements while waiting for the bus, to promote transit, and to show your commitment to alternative modes. MVTA has a limited number of shelters available for installation each year. While not required, collaborating with businesses who can lead installation of the concrete pads and sidewalk connections helps advance MVTA's shelter program in a mutually beneficial way. Contact MVTA to discuss potential bus shelter locations and the installation process.

Trip Extension, with Direct Stop
Trip Extension, with Direct Stop

Sometimes a business is located in the MVTA service area but too far from an existing route for employees to rely on public transit. In this situation, the CoGo Program allows MVTA and businesses to collaborate on trip needs and shift changes to create a customized schedule. The resulting schedule would extend select trips directly to an employer's site. By working together and sharing resources, MVTA can often put a solution in place faster than relying on limited public transit funding. Requests for trip extensions typically require a six-month lead prior to implementation. A financial agreement would be needed to memorialize any cost-share for additional service hours to extend trips.

Added Trip
Added Trip

MVTA evaluates added trips on existing route based upon request. Employers may already be located along a transit route but are interested in MVTA's ability to add new trips to meet specific shift times, to expand service span of the existing route, and/or to offer mid-day flexibility to employees. By working together and sharing resources, MVTA can often put a solution in place faster than relying on limited public transit funding. Requests for new trips require a six-month lead prior to implementation. A financial agreement would be needed to memorialize any cost-share for additional service hours to add trips.

New Route
New Route

A new route is considered when there is an unmet need or existing transit service does not adequately provide workforce connections. MVTA can provide service concepts, cost estimates, and bring additional partners to the table to develop a funding & implementation path. Due to the nature of public transportation funding and MVTA's operating budget, a new route typically takes more than six months to implement.

Carpool/Vanpool
Carpool/Vanpool

The Twin Cities offers regional carpooling and vanpooling services. To find out more information about carpool matching or to learn about the vanpool program (5-15 people sharing a ride), visit https://www.metrotransit.org/carpool or https://www.metrotransit.org/vanpool.

Employer-operated shuttle coordinated with MVTA transit schedules
Employer-operated shuttle coordinated with MVTA transit schedules

In some situations, businesses may have the resources and flexibility to operate their own shuttle, or work with another local employer to operate a joint shuttle. To extend the reach of employer-operated shuttles and MVTA transit services, MVTA will evaluate requests for schedule adjustments at transit hubs to improve connection opportunities. MVTA's schedule changes take place approximately four times per year.

Marketing/Promotional Efforts
Marketing/Promotional Efforts

MVTA offers the opportunity to wrap buses, post digital advertisements, install wall clings at facilities, and many other creative ways to jointly promote business and MVTA interests. Please contact us to discuss ideas.

Our CoGo Collaborative Transit Program is an easy and inexpensive way to offer safe, reliable and flexible transportation to your workforce, rain or shine, year-round. CoGo is a program designed by MVTA to provide transit information and offer unique collaboration opportunities with businesses throughout MVTA's service area to improve, enhance, and grow transit and transportation options.

A Range of Custom Designed Solutions for Your Employees

Ideal Plans for Your Business

Getting started is simple. MVTA will build a custom plan based on the needs of your business and your employees. We provide resources to help organize carpools and vanpools, offer our transit expertise to review existing options and work together to explore improvements that cater to your work hours, stop location, and routing needs.

A Beneficial Partnership

MVTA can help your business identify funding options to help pay for select services as part of a CoGo partnership. We also can collaborate on transit infrastructure like shelters, bus stops, and sidewalks/crossings to promote the program and encourage ridership. We will work with your business to identify funding options for any transit resources that exceed our capabilities. We will come to your business to show your employees how easy it is to get started and the benefits of riding with MVTA.

"We are always trying to attract new talent and make it easier for people to get down here and get to work."

— Existing MVTA CoGo Business Partner

Increased Visibility

A CoGo corporate ridership program is also a great way to increase your brand awareness. We have several cost-effective marketing and advertising options that will help your business reach new employees and clients.

Many businesses in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Savage, Shakopee, Rosemount, and Prior Lake have already seen first-hand what a CoGo partnership with MVTA can do.

The CoGo Collaborative Transit
Program Can Help You

  • Attract and retain a strong workforce

  • Reduce employee transportation costs

  • Realize tax savings through MetroPass fare program

  • Provide safe and reliable seasonal travel options

  • Eliminate parking hassles and expensive maintenance

  • Make a positive impact on corporate environmental and sustainability goals

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Businesses in Dakota and Scott counties are constantly competing for top talent. MVTA has a way for companies to attract and retain a loyal and dedicated workforce by working together to improve transit options.

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