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Transit <br />Moving people where they want to go <br />Public transportation is crucial to providing personal <br />mobility and an affordable travel option for residents in <br />Hennepin County. Transit services and facilities provide <br />people with mobility and access to employment, <br />community resources, medical care, education, and <br />recreational opportunities <br />Public transit systems also help create economically <br />thriving communities and offer location advantages to <br />businesses and individuals choosing to work or live in <br />them. <br />Transit facilities and services have the potential to guide <br />compact, mixed -use, walkable development patterns <br />that can lower housing and transportation costs <br />Transit options help reduce congestion on our roadway, <br />reduce travel times, improve air quality, and reduce <br />energy and oil consumption, all of which benefit both <br />riders and non -riders. <br />Role and Partners <br />The primary responsibility for construction and <br />operation of transit facilities and services in Hennepin <br />County lies with the Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit <br />and our suburban transit providers - Maple Grove <br />Transit, Plymouth Metrolink, and Southwest Transit. <br />While we do not own, operate, maintain or provide <br />transit services and facilities, Hennepin County plays a <br />critical role in working with partners to build out the <br />regional transit system. <br />Bus transit lines today and future BRT lines will be <br />located in county roads, which requires close <br />coordination to ensure that our roadways are designed <br />and operated to ensure safe, effective, and accessible <br />transit service. <br />Hennepin County is also actively engaged through the <br />work of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad <br />Authority (HCRRA) in progressing, in partnership, <br />transitways which compose the county's future vision. <br />In addition, the HCRRA was also responsible for early <br />preservation of rail rights -of -way for future LRT use. The <br />railroad authority currently owns 55 miles of former <br />railroad corridors for potential future transit use. In the <br />interim, bicycle commuter trails have been constructed <br />on all 55 miles — increasing transportation and <br />recreational opportunities for residents. These trails are <br />maintained by the City of Minneapolis or Three Rivers <br />Park District. For more information, visit <br />https://www.hennepin.us/transit <br />Through Southwest and Bottineau Community Works, <br />Hennepin County works with partners to maximize <br />return on investment from LRT by focusing "beyond the <br />rails" to integrate transit oriented development, jobs, <br />housing, and natural systems. Targeted development <br />along these corridors increases attractiveness for <br />businesses and enhances equity by improving <br />affordable access. Station area planning and <br />infrastructure investment planning are two key activities <br />of these partnerships to connect people to places. <br />24 <br />