A Transit Boom in Minneapolis' Southwest Suburbs (Summer-Long Bike-Share Included)

SouthWest Transit, amidst a period of increased ridership, has added new express routes, new buses, and even a new bike-share program. Motivating the agency, in part at least, for are the changes due if and when light rail arrives to the suburbs.

1 minute read

June 13, 2014, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


SouthWest Transit

Michael Hicks / Flickr

"Ridership on SouthWest Transit buses is up 11 percent from January to June, and the award-winning transit agency wants to keep the streak going."

"In February, SouthWest launched express service from Eden Prairie to Target’s Brooklyn Park headquarters, and this spring it debuted a new bike-sharing program that allows riders to leave their cars at home and pedal to and from its transit stations. Unlike Nice Ride Minnesota, users get to keep the bikes for the entire summer season, not just 60 minutes at a time. Later in the month the transit agency’s first double-decker bus will hit the streets, and come fall it will offer express service to both Vikings and University of Minnesota football games. Its current fleet of motor coaches will be updated with new seats, higher quality flooring and better lighting."

Sunday, June 8, 2014 in Minneapolis Star-Tribune

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit