The City of Minneapolis own data says these limited bus lane hours pose a “high risk” to service on the new E Line bus when it opens later this year (December 2025). This project is a $60 million investment providing better service for the Route 6 corridor. Mayor Frey vetoed all-day bus lanes when the street layout was approved — potentially kneecapping it from the start. We know from the old layout of Hennepin Avenue that buses were frequently delayed by cars parked in the bus lanes. Transit riders deserve fast travel times. Making transit faster and more attractive helps the city meet its transportation goal of shifting away from car trips.
The southbound hours aren’t just less than ideal. They don’t even meet the recommended minimum of 12-7 PM. Again, this was the city’s own analysis before Mayor Frey decided to limit bus lane hours, against the preferences of their own staff, Metro Transit, the majority of the city council, and the entire Minneapolis legislative delegation.
Mayor Frey has hidden behind people of color as his reason to veto the full time bus lanes so it’s important to repeat that 51% of local bus riders are people of color. All of us deserve access to affordable, quick and reliable transportation.
There’s also a public safety benefit that comes with full-time transit lanes: emergency vehicles can can use the lanes, bypass traffic, and improve response times.
We remain committed to ensuring full-time transit lanes are implemented on Hennepin Avenue South so this investment in bus rapid transit between downtown, Uptown, and Edina attracts as many riders as possible. If, as predicted, E Line buses are stuck in traffic when the street reopens, whoever our next mayor is must listen to the data and implement real transit priority on Hennepin Avenue.