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.
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.
FULL STORY: Metro Transit’s Transit Assistance Program celebrates two years, nearly 2 million rides
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.