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Legislative Action

 

State Legislative Update

As part of ongoing discussions at the Capitol, some legislators have suggested eliminating SouthWest Transit even though the system continues to grow in ridership and operate in a more cost-effective manner. These proposals would impact riders, employers, and our communities that depend on SouthWest Transit for daily mobility and economic connection. Community voices and continued engagement will be critical in helping policymakers recognize the importance and value of SWT. 

 

What YOU Can Do

For Legislators:

  • Join us at the upcoming  SouthWest Transit Day at the Capitol: Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Stay tuned for a detailed agenda coming soon!
  • Share the Voter Voice link and copy below to your constituents

For Community Members and Partners:

  • Show your support and have your voice heard through completing the Voter Voice form below
  • Spread the word! Share the Voter Voice link with your peers, we'd appreciate you tagging us on social media! A complete toolkit is coming soon which includes easy copy and post images, social media, etc!
  • Make sure you don't miss a thing and sign up for our newsletters HERE

Voter Voice: Support SouthWest Transit by Emailing Your State Senator and Representative 

Riders, community members, and supporters are encouraged to speak up in support of SouthWest Transit by emailing their legislators and sharing why SWT matters to them and their community. We’ve provided pre-written, editable messages that automatically identify and send to your elected officials as a constituent. Your voice can help stop proposals that would eliminate SWT and ensure these essential services continue across the region.

Take action by clicking HERE!

  

Cities/Counties that have passed resolutions in support of SouthWest Transit:

  • City of Eden Prairie 
  • City of Chanhassen 
  • City of Chaska 
  • City of Carver 
  • City of Victoria
  • Carver County 

See a sample resolution in support of SouthWest Transit HERE. 

State of SouthWest Transit

SouthWest Transit (SWT) is the fastest growing transit agency in Minnesota according to 2025 NTD reports! We serve the southwest Twin Cities and operate under a joint powers agreement between Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, and Chaska. We also serve Carver, Victoria, Edina and parts of Shakopee. In 2026 we are celebrating 40 years of service to our community! 

Service and Ridership Overview 

  • In 2025, our riders took 614,062 trips – a 14.16% increase over the previous year 
  • Growth was primarily driven by trips on our regularly scheduled bus routes, which saw an increase of 24.6% 

 

New Services and Innovations in 2025 

  • The 686 Route 
    • Was used 59.78% more than the service it replaced 
    • 686L: provides access along the I-494 corridor, including local businesses and employment areas 
    • 686X: provides direct service from SouthWest Station (Eden Prairie) to MSP Airport and the Mall of America (MOA) 
  • SW Prime Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Zone – the first AV service in the Twin Cities 
    • Part of our microtransit service (SW Prime) 
    • Was used 144.11% more than the service that came before 
  • Automatic Passenger Counters (APCs) made their debut, making us the third transit agency in the U.S. to implement this technology, improving real-time service planning and ridership tracking 

 

Rider and Community Surveys 

  • Rider surveys show 96-98% satisfaction across our services 
  • Community surveys show 61% positive vs. 14% negative perception of SWT 

 

Economic Opportunity & Connections 

  • 71.6% of commuter bus trips are to work 
  • 46% of SW Prime (microtransit) trip purposes are for work 

 

Financial Stewardship and Operations 

  • Our subsidy per trip on bus service is 22% lower than regional alternatives ($12.07 vs. $15.42) 
  • Overhead costs are 22%, compared with 24% for regional alternatives 

 

Planning and Community Engagement 

  • We completed the Carver County Mobility Study, with results to be released in 2026 
  • Community engagement initiatives, including the Wrap-A-Bus design contest, connected local youth to our services 
  • We continue to coordinate with riders, cities, and regional partners on service planning