Minnesota Transit Riders Hopeful for the Future as Election Brings Change to State Legislature
Minnesota voters headed to the polls in record numbers this season, with many motivated by a strong sense of care for their communities and rising concerns about the cost of living. By Wednesday morning, the post-election political landscape in our home state had shifted dramatically, mirroring trends across the country. What could the election results mean for public transit supporters?
As voters like Asher S. in Saint Paul told us, “I’m feeling incredibly hopeful! There’s a lot of optimism following this election, and I’m excited about the possibility of seeing that momentum translate into meaningful investments in public transit. My biggest hope is that our newly elected leaders recognize how essential accessible, reliable transportation is to the everyday lives of Minnesotans. I’d love to see us continue building a transit system that connects more communities, runs more frequently, and makes getting around the Twin Cities easier for everyone. I hope we can turn this moment of optimism into lasting progress.”
From county boards to the state legislature, all of our close transit champions endorsed by Move Minnesota Action were re-elected this year. We are very fortunate to have so many allies who understand public transit is an essential piece of creating an affordable and connected state that works for everyone. And we are excited to continue bringing advocates and our elected officials together to keep progress coming for Minnesotans who bus, bike, walk, and roll.
At the state level, Minnesota’s governor and all 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature were on the ballot in 2026. At the start of the next legislative session, voters decided Democrats will have the governing majority in the State House, State Senate, and governor’s office. It was of course only a few years ago during the last Democratic trifecta at the State Capitol that Minnesota lawmakers passed historic transit investments and nation-leading climate policy at the persistent urging of their constituents and a coalition led by Move Minnesota.
That thought has some feeling optimistic about the potential for more transit progress ahead. Ingrid J. of Minneapolis is one of many voters “feeling excited about the possibilities” for transit after this election. And from Ingrid’s perspective, “Among many things, this election shows a desire for elected officials who believe the role of government is to effect positive change, and that can only be good for transit.”
But what should elected leaders focus on? Ingrid shared, “I’m hopeful about projects like the Northern Lights Express and the Statewide Bicycle System, and about more funding going to improve public transit.”
Minnesota voter Sunil K., who is feeling “cautiously optimistic” about the next legislative session, would also “like to see funding restored to the Northern Lights Express so we can start on the regional train network we deserve, connecting our largest metros by rail.” For Sunil, “I think the most immediate concern is providing state funding to cover the gap for the Blue Line Extension so it can ramp up ASAP.”
According to Asher, “I’d love to see legislators prioritize expanding and strengthening our bus rapid transit network, both by bringing BRT to more neighborhoods and increasing the frequency and accessibility of existing service. Reliable transportation shouldn’t be a luxury, and people shouldn’t have to plan their entire lives around when the next bus might arrive. I’m also really hopeful that legislators will work toward addressing the gap left by HOURCAR’s closure. Carsharing was an essential piece of the transportation puzzle for thousands of Twin Cities residents, especially for trips that public transit couldn’t easily accommodate.”
Minnesota voter Claire C. agrees. “I feel like there is lots of work to be done on transit and that it is just as critical as ever to be working on especially given climate change and affordability.” Like many of us, Claire took the time to vote this year, “because I want to use every opportunity I have to shape a better world.” With the elections now over, Claire says, “I want to see the legislature fund carsharing, as well as frequent and reliable busing. I would also love to see a focus on building our cities in a holistic manner that situates housing by grocery stores and other needs while also [connecting them with] transit, walking, and biking paths.”
Transit champions who are heading back to the State Capitol in January are also feeling energized about ways to make Minnesotans’ lives better by taking action on transportation in the months ahead. “We can get serious about ensuring people have transportation options by how we design our roads, the public transit we fund, and establishment of publicly administered shared mobility like car and bike share,” shared Minnesota State Representative Katie Jones. “We can also have real conversations about how transportation and land use choices impact one another—either making infrastructure affordable and lives easier or the opposite,” Jones said, adding that tearing down barriers between land use and transportation policy is both necessary and achievable in the term ahead.
For returning lawmakers like Minnesota State Representative Larry Kraft, continuing to act on transportation as a core climate issue will also be an important focus post-election. “I’m excited to accelerate progress towards reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions, the largest source in Minnesota. We get there with more investments in transit, especially high frequency transit, increased electrification, and a keen focus on land use,” Rep. Kraft shared. From our health to our household budgets, sustainable transportation brings tangible benefits for Minnesota families: “reduced air pollution, less time spent in traffic, and more and cheaper ways to get around for everyone, even those without a car.”
Across the political spectrum, this recent election will also bring new faces to the State Capitol. And with changes in leadership, come clear needs and opportunities to defend how much we’ve won so far, and to help new lawmakers on both sides of the aisle understand how deeply important transit is in the daily lives of the Minnesotans they represent: from the seniors whose doctor’s office is a bus ride away to community college students on their way to class and all the parents trying to keep costs down and make it home from work in time to get dinner on the table. We especially can’t let our decision-makers forget the strong intersection between public transit and the very real affordability concerns that brought many Minnesotans to the polls in the first place.
Ensuring every Minnesotan can get to the important places in their lives is reason enough to push forward.“Why is transit essential?” Rep. Jones emphasized, “Because being able to own and operate a vehicle should not be a prerequisite to participating in society. Nearly 1 in 3 Minnesotans don’t drive due to age, ability, affordability, or choice but people still need to get to school, work, shop, and more. Transit provides the most efficient, climate-friendly, and affordable means to get people where they need to go.”
And as Asher noted, “Ultimately, I hope our elected officials listen to the people who rely on these services and recognize that a stronger transit system means stronger, more connected communities. We have an opportunity to build on what’s already working while making sure that the communities who need these services most aren’t left behind.”
Beyond protecting what we’ve already accomplished, there’s more Minnesota lawmakers can do to meet people and communities’ transportation needs now and into the future: from unleashing more resources for public transit improvements to advancing new policies that will reward people for taking transit to work and ensure that public transit service across the metro is quick, convenient, and there when we need it.
Our transit systems move hundreds of thousands of people every day—and riders, operators, and supporters can have a strong voice in what comes next. That means Minnesotans continuing to show up again and again like we did at the ballot box: for the kind of communities we want to live in, for the neighbors we care about, and for the just and sustainable future we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.
We’re going to need you with us!
Because this work doesn’t stop when the polls close and the election results roll in.
Together, we have to be ready to keep organizing, making our voices heard, and holding our elected leaders accountable so all of us in Minnesota can get where we need to go and live our lives with dignity and joy.