South Metro Transit Sees Strong Momentum as MVTA Ridership Climbs in 2025
DAKOTA & SCOTT, MINNESOTA - The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) reported significant ridership growth in 2025, underscoring a continued rebound in transit use across the south metropolitan Twin Cities and positioning the agency as a regional leader in transit recovery and expansion.
According to MVTA data, total ridership reached 1,538,182 passenger trips in 2025, a 7.8 percent increase from 2024. The growth reflects strong demand across both traditional fixed-route bus services and MVTA’s on-demand microtransit offerings.
Fixed-Route and Express Services Drive Growth
Fixed-route bus service accounted for the majority of MVTA’s ridership, totaling 1,114,548 trips in 2025. That represents a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year and an acceleration from the 3.7 percent growth rate recorded in 2024.
Express bus routes saw even stronger gains, with ridership climbing 10.4 percent year over year. MVTA officials attribute this growth to changing commuter habits and renewed demand for reliable connections to downtown Minneapolis, downtown St. Paul, and other regional employment centers.
“MVTA’s ridership growth is a direct result of focusing on what our customers need and how they travel today,” said Luther Wynder, MVTA Chief Executive Officer. “These gains demonstrate that when service is reliable, responsive, and thoughtfully designed, people choose transit.”
According to the MVTA, MVTA’s Route 490, with service from Shakopee to Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, saw ridership increase by more than 36 percent in 2025.
MVTA Connect Continues Rapid Expansion
MVTA’s on-demand microtransit service, MVTA Connect, remained one of the fastest-growing components of the agency’s system. The service recorded 211,818 trips in 2025, representing a 33.7 percent increase over 2024.
December alone accounted for 18,046 trips, highlighting sustained demand for flexible, app-based transportation options that complement fixed-route service.
“MVTA Connect’s continued growth highlights how flexible, on-demand service plays an important role in meeting a wide range of customer needs,” said Matt Fyten, MVTA Chief Development Officer. “We are using this data and customer feedback to continually refine our services and ensure we are delivering the most efficient and effective transit possible.”
Provided by the MVTA.
Looking Ahead to Spring 2026 Service Changes
As the agency prepares for its Spring 2026 service changes, MVTA officials say ridership trends, customer feedback, and performance data will guide adjustments across the system. The goal is to preserve and strengthen service in high-demand areas while making data-informed changes that reflect evolving travel patterns throughout the south metro.
“Our approach is data-driven and customer-focused,” Wynder said. “We will continue to evolve our system to support ridership growth, improve efficiency, and meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
Public outreach on proposed spring service changes is underway, giving riders and community members an opportunity to provide input before final decisions are made. Additional details are available on MVTA’s website.
Serving the South Metro
MVTA is the public transportation agency serving Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount, Prior Lake, Savage, and Shakopee, as well as broader areas of Dakota and Scott counties. Formed under late-1980s state legislation that allowed outer-ring suburbs to create independent transit systems, MVTA provides local, express, reverse-commute, and suburb-to-suburb bus service.
In addition to traditional bus routes, the agency operates MVTA Connect microtransit and specialized event services, offering residents and workers multiple transportation options across the region.
MVTA is governed by an eight-member board made up of elected officials or their designees from the seven member cities, along with a Scott County commissioner.
For more information about MVTA services, riders can visit mvta.com or contact MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.
Written by: Will Wight
