On Wednesday, the Senate’s Transportation Finance and Policy Committee took up legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) that would expand Metro Mobility services to provide coverage for residents in the cities of Columbus, Forest Lake, Maple Plain, Ramsey and Lakeville by January 2020.

“Extending Metro Mobility services to the residents of Lakeville will provide an equitable distribution of coverage to a disabled population that has been underserved,” said Senator Dan Hall. “This is a situation where residents deserve play for pay. Having contributed to covering the cost of services for over a decade now it’s only fair that council should to make things right and provide the services too.”Lakeville is located in Dakota County, one of the seven counties comprising the Council’s Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Its residents have paid taxes that cover Metro Mobility services since 2008. Despite contributing to cover the cost for services though, Lakeville residents were previously not eligible for ride services. This legislation would provide an equitable solution, expanding coverage for disabled residents across the greater metropolitan area. “

Metro Mobility is a door-to-door service provided the Metropolitan Council, giving public transportation in the Twin Cities metro area for certified riders who are unable to use regular fixed-route bus service due to a disability or health condition.

The service operates 365 days a year. On an average weekday, Metro Mobility provides more than 8,000 rides; about one-third of those are for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. In 2018, the program provided a total of 2.38 million rides to more than 20,800 active users certified for Metro Mobility service.