Ridership is up on transit in the Twin Cities. Fewer cars are being sold, and tax revenues are down. With little funding expected to fill the gap, transit fare increases may be on the horizon.
"With huge declines in car sales that generate revenue from Minnesota's motor vehicle sales tax, it could invite difficult decisions that could include another fare increase, Peter Bell told about 200 people gathered at Maplewood Community Center. The vehicle sales tax supplies about 38 percent of the money the Met Council needs to operate buses and trains."
"Bell said he expected the problem to worsen by the time the state releases its updated budget forecast this month. He said the shortfall -- which one county commissioner called a "serious problem" -- would extend to suburban bus companies."
"Because many people aren't buying new cars, the Met Council is receiving far less revenue from motor vehicle sales taxes; in the current fiscal year those receipts are down $12 million from five years ago, and the council forecasts a budget shortfall of $45 million over the next two years."
FULL STORY: Metro Transit long on riders, short on money
Looking Back on 60 Years of Land Development in the Twin Cities
In 1960, about 12 percent of the Twin Cities metro's land was already developed. By 2020, about 34 percent had been developed. Many factors influenced how the region has changed since 1960.
Twin Cities Suburbs Look to Improve Bike Facilities
Communities around Minneapolis and St. Paul are working to build more robust bike infrastructure networks.
Twin Cities Trains Move to Fewer Cars, Higher Frequency
Headways will drop from 15 minutes to 12 minutes.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
Washington State Legislature Passes Parking Reform Bill
A bill that would limit parking requirements for new developments is headed to the governor’s desk.
Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
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.
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
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