Ladders of Opportunity & Better Bus Stops

Ladders neighborhood map Metro Transit is committed to providing a safe, secure and comfortable experience for all transit customers.

As part of this effort, Metro Transit provides bus waiting shelters at high-boarding areas where conditions allow.

In late 2014, Metro Transit received a $3.26 million Ladders of Opportunity Grant from the Federal Transit Administration to invest in bus stop and customer waiting shelter improvements that enhance access to employment and educational opportunities. These grant funds, along with available state and local money, will be used to fund the Better Bus Stops Program.

With these combined funding sources, Metro Transit’s goal is to add up to 150 shelters and improve an additional 75 existing shelters with light or heat as part of the agency’s work to advance the Equity Outcome from Thrive MSP 2040, the region’s policy plan. The community will play an important role in these improvements.

The interactive map on the right shows neighborhoods with bus stops being considered for improvements. Click on a neighborhood in the map on the right to see which bus stop locations in that neighborhood are being evaluated for improvement. to view a map showing all bus stops being considered for improvement, click here: Better Bus Stops Map.

Better Bus Stops word mark

The Better Bus Stops program is focusing on neighborhoods in areas of concentrated poverty where more than half of the residents are people of color. Bus stop improvements are being considered in north Minneapolis; south Minneapolis; St. Paul's East Side; the St. Paul neighborhoods of Frogtown, North End, Union Park, West Side, and Summit-University; and portions of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Richfield.

In 2014, Metro Transit evaluated ridership data at all bus stops in these areas. Bus stops with enough ridership are candidates for shelter improvements. The Better Bus Stops program places highest priority on improving those bus stops located in the project's focus area.

The number of boardings is not the only factor considered when determining whether a location receives a shelter. Site suitability depends on available space, site conditions (slope, obstructions, etc.) and proximity to the bus stop. How long a bus stop improvement will benefit customers also affects decisions about where shelters can be added. Improvements may not be made or may be deferred if upcoming construction projects would require removal of the shelter and tearing out costly site preparation or electrical work. In some cases, it may be possible to place a temporary shelter if conditions are right.

Metro Transit expects to make significant shelter investments starting in 2015.