SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee), Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, House Transportation Chair Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), and St. Paul City Council Member Mitra Jalali announced comprehensive transit rider experience legislation that would create a Transit Ambassador Program to increase safety, connect riders with services, and apply administrative, rather than criminal, penalties for fare evasion.
The Transit Ambassador Program will increase the presence of unarmed personnel on trains. The transit ambassadors would be trained in de-escalation and available to connect riders to services.
“This bill is about making sure our transit system is safe and welcoming for any Minnesotan who chooses to use it,” said Rep. Tabke. “By adding personnel to light rail trains, we are replacing a flawed system with one that will increase safety and fare compliance.”
“Vice-Chair Tabke’s legislation will help improve rider experience while enhancing public safety at the same time,” Chair Hornstein stated.
Video of the press conference is available here.
Metro Transit’s current policy is to issue a warning the first time a rider does not show proof of payment. After the second offense, the fine for riding without proof of payment is $180, and less than three percent of fare evasion citations are actually paid.
The administrative penalties under Rep. Tabke’s bill includes a $35 fine, and all proceeds would go toward supporting the program. Transit Ambassadors would be able to inspect fares and issue administrative citations, allowing law enforcement officers who currently check fares to spend their time responding to more serious incidents.
The program would set a goal of inspecting fare compliance for at least ten percent of riders by 2024.
Agencies that have implemented an administrative citation system include Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA), King County in Seattle, and TriMet in Portland.