Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is proposing route changes, asking riders to weigh in

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is looking to make some significant route changes in the spring, and it’s asking riders to give their thoughts before making the final decision.

The agency serving eight communities south of the Minnesota River is planning to cut weekend service on two underperforming routes in Shakopee, merge two other routes, and retool or increase frequency on three others.

“We are always looking for ways to be more efficient with service,” said Matt Fyten, MVTA’s chief development officer. “Where can we find gains in ridership or trim service with the least impact? What can we do to maintain ridership and be as cost effective as possible?”

MVTA enacts schedule changes generally four times a year, often without much fanfare. In this case, the changes are big enough that the agency wants riders to weigh in, either online or at in-person meetings from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Scott County Government Center or 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Marschall Road Transit Station, both in Shakopee.

Plans call for ending weekend service on Route 497 serving two mobile home parks, Town Square Mall and the Scott County Government Center.

Weekend service would also be cut on Route 499, which runs between Shakopee High School and Walmart. The route, which Fyten said “was trying to do too much,” would be slimmed down and stops at Mystic Lake Casino and Canterbury Park would be eliminated. New stops would be added at St. Francis Medical Center and the Eagle Creek Park and Ride.

Weekend service on both routes would be replaced with Connect, MVTA’s on-demand ride service. People who use the routes “will still be able to get where they were going before, and then some,” Fyten said.

A third adjustment would shift Route 440 onto Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley with at least hourly service on weekdays and the return of weekend service. Trips would extend to the Mall of America in addition to stops at the Apple Valley and Cedar Grove transit stations, Minnesota Zoo and the Palomino Hills Park and Ride.

Route 442 would no longer serve the Mall of America. Riders could transfer to a Red Line or Route 440 bus at the Apple Valley Transit Station to complete trips to the Bloomington shopping complex. Route 475 would no longer serve the Minnesota Zoo.

With overall frequency increasing in the Cedar Avenue corridor, a transfer will be required in some cases, Fyten said, but passengers “will have more options. They won’t be waiting a super long period of time.”

Some of the proposed changes meet MVTA and federal requirements to seek rider input before enacting plans. MVTA also is conducting a study to determine if the service adjustments adversely affect specific groups of people. The outreach and meetings are part of that process, Fyten said.

The last time MVTA enacted changes of this magnitude, the agency took feedback and altered its plans before adjusting Route 420, which runs from Apple Valley to Dakota County Technical and Community College.

The final proposal will go before the MVTA Board in January.