Facing rapid growth, growing congestion and limited prospects for new major freeways, the Twin Cities area will need a strong transit system to ensure its continued economic vitality. Transit will strengthen the region's economic competitiveness by maintaining mobility within the area, which is crucial for commuter travel and goods movement. It will support more efficient use of land, lowering public facility costs, and helps improve air quality and protect open space and agricultural land. And it gives people more choices in the way they travel around the region and the types of communities and neighborhoods in which to live.
Transit is a key part of a balanced transportation system.
The bus system will remain the foundation of future transit services. Bus service will be greatly expanded and reorganized to better meet customer needs and promote more efficient use of land and public facilities. Local routes will benefit from increased frequency, greater coverage and restructuring using a grid-style network, rather than the current radial pattern oriented to the downtowns. Light rail transit is a part of a balanced transit system, and offers smart-growth development opportunities around LRT stations. Service in the Hiawatha corridor is expected to begin on the segment from Nicollet Mall to Fort Snelling in 2003, followed by service to the airport and the mall by 2004.