Minnesota Agencies

The Metro Mobility Task Force was established to examine the Metro Mobility program under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.386. The goal of the task force is to identify options and methods to increase program effectiveness and efficiency, minimize program costs, and improve service including through potential partnership with taxi service providers and transportation network companies, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 65B.472, subdivision 1, paragraph (e).

The task force must evaluate the Metro Mobility program, which must include but is not limited to analysis of customer service, program costs and expenditures, service coverage area and hours, reservation and scheduling, and buses and equipment. The task force must identify and analyze options to improve Metro Mobility program service, limit costs, and improve efficiency. At a minimum, the task force must consider:
(1) availability of transit, transportation network company, and taxi service throughout the Metro Mobility service area;
(2) demand responsiveness and service levels;
(3) share of trips in which specially equipped vehicles that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act are necessary;
(4) technology accessibility for Metro Mobility customers;
(5) liability considerations;
(6) integration with regional transit service;
(7) integration with Department of Human Services programs and services;
(8) partnerships with transportation network companies and taxi providers, including methods to integrate billing or fare collection;
(9) potential to use transportation network companies or taxi services to provide an enhanced service option in which riders pay a higher fare than other users of Metro Mobility Services; and
(10) proposals and models from other service areas for incorporating transportation network companies and taxi service providers into transit systems.

The task force must submit a final report to the Legislature on its work and findings by Feb. 15, 2018.

Each entity designated to appoint members to the task force was required to make appointments and notify the Metropolitan Council by August 1, 2017. The Task Force held its first meeting on August 23, 2017.

By February 15, 2018, the task force must submit a report to the chairs, ranking minority members, and staff of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance. At a minimum, the report must:
(1) describe the current Metro Mobility program;
(2) summarize the work of the task force and its findings;
(3) identify options for reducing program costs and improving efficiency;
(4) identify at least three potential service level approaches that involve partnering with and incorporating transportation network companies, taxi service providers, or both; and
(5) provide any recommendations for program and legislative changes.


The task force expires February 15, 2018, or upon submission of the mandated report, whichever is earlier.

The task force consists of the following members:
(1) one representative from Metro Mobility, appointed by the Metropolitan Council;
(2) one elected official from each metropolitan county, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 4, each of whom must be from a district or unit of government that is located within the Metro Mobility service area, appointed by the respective county board in consultation with cities in that county;
(3) at least one and no more than three individuals representing transportation network companies, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 65B.472, subdivision 1, appointed as provided under paragraph (b);
(4) at least one and no more than three individuals representing taxi service providers, appointed as provided in paragraph (c);
(5) one representative appointed by the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee established under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.375, subdivision 9a;
(6) one representative appointed by the Council on Disability;
(7) one representative appointed by the commissioner of human services;
(8) one representative appointed by the commissioner of management and budget;
(9) one individual appointed by the Association of Residential Resources of Minnesota; and
(10) one individual appointed by the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.
(b) An interested transportation network company may appoint no more than one person as a task force member. Appointment under this paragraph is on a first-come, first-appointed basis by written notification to the Metropolitan Council.
(c) An interested taxi service provider may appoint no more than one person as a task force member. Appointment under this paragraph is on a first-come, first-appointed basis by written notification to the Metropolitan Council.
(d) The task force members specified under paragraph (a), clauses (1), (3), and (4), are nonvoting members of the task force.