Minnesota Agencies

The purpose of the commission was to evaluate the effectiveness of metropolitan transit; the power, responsibilities, and external accountability of the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC); the internal structure of the MTC, including the contractual relationship with the management company; current labor practices and contracts; governmental arrangements for transit planning and development in the metropolitan area, including the relationships among MTC, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, and the Transportation Advisory Board; the proper role of the MTC in governance, regulation, and coordination of transit and other public transportation services in the metropolitan area, including fare structures and sources and amounts of subsidy; and the effectiveness of the metropolitan transit service demonstration program.

The commission later narrowed the scope of the study to focus on five subjects: evaluation of transit service and operation, evaluation of government organization, evaluation of MTC internal organization, evaluation of transit purposes and needs, and evaluation of transit finance.

The commission was mandated to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature by February 1, 1984.

The Legislative Study Commission on Metropolitan Transit was commonly known as the Transit Study Commission. The commission began its work in September, 1983. Fifteen public meetings were held from September 13, 1983, through January 25, 1984. A final report was presented to the governor and legislature in February, 1984.

The commission was co-chaired by Senator Steve Novak and Representative Kathleen Vellenga. Other members were: Senator Marilyn Lantry, Senator Phyllis McQuaid, Senator Eric Petty, Senator Lawrence Pogemiller, Representative Chuck Dimler, Representative Dee Long, Representative Sidney Pauly, and Representative Carolyn Rodriguez.