Take Action to Make Transit Affordable to Low-Income Minnesotans

For families and workers who are struggling to make ends meet, transportation can be a big barrier to a better future. So making public transit even more affordable can be a game-changer for household budgets. Right now, Metro Transit has a program that cuts transit costs in half for people who qualify for public assistance programs—but only a tiny percentage of those eligible are taking advantage of it.  

Take action today to tell lawmakers to provide easier access to the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) for thousands of eligible Minnesotans! 

Metro Transit’s TAP program provides annual passes for $1 fares to people who qualify for public assistance programs. Compared to a standard $2 fare, TAP can dramatically reduce a person’s transit costs, freeing up more of their household budget to meet other essential needs like rent or child care. But, while the Metropolitan Council estimates 624,000 people in the metro are eligible for the TAP program by income alone, 2021 data suggests just 1 percent are using it.

To ensure more residents have easy access to TAP, lawmakers must pass a common-sense bill that would integrate the application into the MNbenefits portal. 

By adding this essential program to the portal where Minnesotans already apply for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), we can make TAP more visible to the people it was designed to support, reduce barriers to enrollment, and ensure more people can afford to get around on public transit. 

Tell your lawmaker today that public transit should be affordable to every Minnesotan!