The Important Role of Rural Transit

"While public transit in the Twin Cities largely serves people commuting to work – and is framed in the public mind by shiny coaches and sleek light-rail cars – it has a much different look and feel in rural Minnesota," according to an article by Gregg Aamot.

The article provides an in-depth exploration of the experience and the context of rural transit. In the latter realm, Aamot cites evidence from the Center for Rural Policy and Development that "public transit systems provided 12 million rides in Minnesota regions outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area (and nearly 98 million rides in the Twin Cities)" in 2014. In 2010, about "70 percent of transit riders using the most rural systems reported not having either a car or a driver’s license."

The article also provides background on the political support for rural transit in the state, as well as descriptions of the day-to-day experience of  Jim Hansen, a bus driver in the rural area around Blooming Prairie.

The Minnesota-based Center for Rural Policy and Development released the "Rural Reality: City transit, rural transit" report in January.