as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/21/2023 08:17am
A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing a Metro Mobility partnership pilot program;
requiring a report; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Pilot program" means the Metro Mobility partnership pilot program established in
this section.
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(c) "Transportation network company" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes,
section 65B.472, subdivision 1.
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Subject to available funds, the Metropolitan Council must
implement a pilot program to provide expanded service through public-private partnerships
as a complement to the existing service levels of Metro Mobility under Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.386.
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The pilot program must:
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(1) provide transportation options in partnership with one or more transportation network
companies;
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(2) provide service hours for the periods as follows, but only outside of the hours of
service under Metro Mobility:
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(i) on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.;
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(ii) on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and
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(iii) on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.;
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(3) cover the entirety of the geographic area specified in Minnesota Statutes, section
473.386, subdivision 3, clause (9); and
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(4) establish rider eligibility that is substantially comparable to eligibility requirements
under Metro Mobility.
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By February 1, 2026, the Metropolitan Council must submit
a report to the chairs, ranking minority members, and staff of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance concerning the pilot program. At a
minimum, the report must:
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(1) summarize pilot program implementation;
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(2) provide a fiscal review that identifies uses of funds;
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(3) analyze results under the pilot program, including improvements to service and
customer experience;
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(4) evaluate accessibility impacts and constraints for riders who use a wheelchair or
otherwise require specialized equipment or service;
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(5) consider service models, technologies, partnership models, and anticipated industry
changes;
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(6) identify findings, practices, and considerations for replication in communities
throughout the state;
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(7) review any modifications under consideration, planned, or implemented for the Metro
Mobility program; and
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(8) make any recommendations on partnerships for service improvements related to
Metro Mobility, including fiscal implications.
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For purposes of the report under this subdivision, "staff" means those employees who are
identified in any of the following roles for the legislative committees: committee
administrator, committee legislative assistant, caucus research, fiscal analysis, counsel, or
nonpartisan research.
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$....... in fiscal year 2024 and $....... in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from the general
fund to the Metropolitan Council for a Metro Mobility partnership pilot program under
section 1. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until December 31, 2025.
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