MVTA Moments April Blog
Mar 27, 2026 11:38 am
Hello South Metro!
April 1, 2026
MVTA 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
- Reduced overall print costs on pocket schedules by 50%
- UMN Routes saw an 18.5% increase in ridership
- Brought over $10M in grant funding for region
- Our community took 7.8% more trips
- Avoided rider emissions equivalent to a car driving 7.5M miles
- Expanded Connect to Shakopee and Prior Lake
- Attended 387 events across our communities
Thank you to our riders and communities for continuing to support transit in the south metro!
Upcoming Events & Services
- April 10: Morgan Wallen
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- April 11: Morgan Wallen
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- April: 11: Dakota-Scott Teen Job Fair
- Dakota County Western Service Center
- April 18: MNUFC
- Allianz Field
- April 18: Fit-It Clinic
- Galaxy Library
- April 18: Eagan Earth Month Celebration
- Blackhawk Park
- April 24: Just Between Friends Sales Event
- Burnsville Center
- April 25: MNUFC
- Allianz Field
- April 29: 55+ Resource Open House
- Shakopee Community Center
Driver Appreciation Day
March 18 was Driver Appreciation Day, and we took the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our drivers for their hard work and dedication. Itis not too late to share your thanks to your driver? Submit your feedback, here >
New MVTA Bus Shelter at the Minnesota Zoo
The MVTA bus shelter at the Minnesota Zoo is now open! Plan your next visit and enjoy a convenient bus ride right to the entrance. More information, here >
Shakopee / Prior Lake Connect Service
Connect in Prior Lake and Shakopee is officially running service seven days a week! Plan your next outing and take MVTA Connect! More information, here >
SUMMER SERVICE CHANGE PROPOSALS
MVTA is taking feedback on the 2026 proposed summer changes until April 6.
Your feedback is important to us! Submit your feedback, here >
DID YOU KNOW?
MVTA has transit education assistance that is a personalized learning experience, open to all community members. Transit Education experiences focus on routes, fares, accessibility features, and tips for confident, independent trips.
Request transit education, here >
RIDER HIGHLIGHT
‘The Connect Bus is My Lifeline’
For the past five years, Elizabeth Ranum has called the south metro home. She’s relied on MVTA’s Connect bus service as her primary source of transportation. Whether it’s commuting to her job five days a week as a pharmacy cashier at Walmart, getting to a medical appointment, or simply heading out on a leisure trip, Connect has become a near-daily necessity.
“I use Connect just about every day,” Ranum said. “Mainly for work, medical appointments, and sometimes just to get out of the apartment when I feel cooped up.”
Ranum spoke on behalf of MVTA riders at the House Transportation Committee hearing on March 11.
Ranum has taken more than 1,250 MVTA Connect trips, making her one of the top riders on MVTA’s microtransit service that provides rides throughout the south metro area of Minneapolis.
About 60 percent of MVTA Connect riders aren’t able to use their own vehicle.
“It is fantastic. The app is easy to use. I feel safe. The drivers are great,” she explains. “And if I ever have any questions or concerns, I can call the Customer Service number and talk to a real person. If they’re busy, they call back as soon as they can.”
For someone without a personal vehicle, the MVTA Connect service is more than just a ride. It’s a reliable, safe, and friendly lifeline to the rest of the community.
