Minneapolis Leans Into Bus Rapid Transit

The city wants to become North America’s ‘bus rapid transit capital.’

1 minute read

December 13, 2022, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Metro Transit Minneapolis

miker / Shutterstock

With the opening of its fifth bus rapid transit (BRT) line, Minneapolis is on its way to achieving its goal of becoming “the bus rapid transit capital of North America,” reports Jared Brey in Governing. “In all, the project includes 61 new bus shelters, 78 crosswalk restripings, 24 traffic signal upgrades and 246 electric heaters, which can be turned on by passengers at the press of a button.”

Unlike regular bus service, Metro’s BRT lines only stop at dedicated bus platforms every quarter- to half-mile. Riders pay their fares, before boarding, at well-lit stations with electric heaters and digital signs showing schedules and real-time arrival information. The buses are scheduled to come every 10-15 minutes.

Faster and more reliable than regular buses and cheaper to build than rail, bus rapid transit has seen ridership recover faster than other modes in Minneapolis after losing riders to the pandemic. According to Katie Roth, the director of arterial bus rapid transit at Metro Transit, introducing BRT boosted ridership on the system overall: “other bus lines in the Metro system saw 30 percent increases in ridership when they were switched to BRT, Roth says.”

Metro Transit has six more BRT lines in the works.

Friday, December 9, 2022 in Governing

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

7 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

7 hours ago - Newsweek

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.