Two Years In, a Look at the Twin Cities Fare Discount Program

In 2017, Metro Transit in the Twin Cities raised fares but also started a program for low-income riders to help ease the burden of travel costs.

1 minute read

November 8, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


Metro Twin Cities

Tony Webster / Flickr

The Transit Assistance Program started in the Twin Cities about two years ago at the same time that fares were raised by 25 cents. The TAP program lets low-income riders use the bus and rail system for $1 per trip with unlimited transfers for up to 2 1/2 hours.

"[It] replaced a bonus program that offered 10 percent discounts to any customer who bought rides in bulk using a stored-value card. In other words, rides got cheaper for low-income riders, but discounts for general customers went away," reports Frederick Melo.

Melo says that about 20,000 people are enrolled in the program and TAP participants have made 1.7 million trips, but more people are eligible to take advantage of the discounted fare. The program’s coordinator notes that the lower fare gives riders more travel flexibility by allowing them to make more trips.

Metro is partnering with 65 community organizations distributing the cards to clients. "The TAP program, which carries a $3 million cost over the two-year stretch, is paid for in large part by discontinuing the stored-value bonus for Go-To cards," notes Melo.

Monday, November 4, 2019 in Pioneer Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing