(UPDATED) Metro Prepares for Transit Cuts in Shadow of Government Shutdown

Editor's Note: This story originally noted that Met Council expected to lose as many as 10 million riders because of cuts. That figure is actually 17 million. Comments from John Levin, Metro Transit director of service development, has also been expanded for clarification. The story has been edited to reflect the changes noted.

Metro Transit has proposed cutting bus routes throughout the metro within the next year because of potential funding cuts from the Minnesota state Legislature.

The Metropolitan Council is bracing to lose 85 percent of the state's general fund contribution to transit for 2012-2013 if the Minnesota state Legislature passes the latest budget plan at the end of the state government shutdown—a worst-case scenario reduction of $109 million.

If the actual budget echoes these projections, the Met Council says it will be forced to slash or limit 130 of 146 bus routes across the Twin Cities. It also faces elimination of most suburban local and crosstown bus routes and fare increases of 25 to 50 cents per ride. Met Council officials haven’t named specific routes for proposed cutting or reduced scheduling. Overall, a 25 percent reduction to service hours could be seen across the transit system.

The regional transportation network, including Metro Transit, has an annual budget of $375 million. But the challenge, according to John Levin, director of service development for Metro Transit, is responding to a proposed $109 million reduction in state funding for metro area transit.

Of course, with reduced operations comes reduced revenue from ridership. The Met Council anticipates losing as many as 17 million annual bus rides because of the reduced routes and increased fares.

“The only way to address this shortfall is to cut deeply into the services we provide,” Levin said.

In addition to the service cuts, the Met Council expects more than 500 regular route transit operators and related staff to lose their jobs, and more than 200 buses to go unused.

“This is the beginning of a process where we're looking to prepare for the worst, but truly hope for the best for the system and its future," said Jon Commers, vice chair of the council’s Community Development Committee and member of the Transportation Committee.

The Met Council is planning seven public hearings to consider testimony from residents.

Here are the dates, times and locations of these hearings:

• Aug. 8 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Bloomington Civic Plaza)
• Aug. 9 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Hopkins Center for the Arts)
• Aug. 10 – Noon to 1 p.m. (Minneapolis Central Library)
• Aug. 11 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Maplewood Library)
• Aug. 15 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Brookdale Library, Brooklyn Center)
• Aug. 16 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Metro Transit Offices, Minneapolis)
• Aug. 18 – Noon to 1 p.m. (Metropolitan Council Offices, Saint Paul)

The Met Council aims to finalize plans for fares and service routes by September and implement changes by early 2012.

Follow the latest shutdown developments:

July 9: (UPDATED-Day 9) 

July 8: Sen. Latz Responds to Commission's Solution

July 7: Metro Prepares for Transit Cuts in Shadow of Government Shutdown

July 6: Are Golden Valley Legislators Getting Paid During the Shutdown?

Hennepin County Will Be Able to Fund Critical Human Services

Golden Valley Legislators React to Bipartisan Commission

July 5: Dayton, Republican Lawmakers Meet After A 'Breather,' But The Shutdown Continues

Commission Seeks To Do What Legislature and Dayton Haven't

July 3: Winkler Says Legislators Will Move To The Middle—Eventually

Golden Valley Residents Will Be Able to Go to the Minnesota Zoo During the Shutdown

July 1: Golden Valley Legislators Frustrated by Minnesota Shutdown

Golden Valley-Area Parks Open This Holiday Weekend

Golden Valley Braces as Minnesota Government Shuts Down

Golden Valley Nonprofits Say the Shutdown Will Hurt the Vulnerable

June 29: 

June 28: 

June 23: 

June 17: 

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