Southwest Transit reports 14% ridership growth, seeks Chaska support in state legislative fights

Eric Hansen of Southwest Transit gave a five‑year program review to the Chaska City Council, calling out ridership growth, customer satisfaction metrics and the agency’s legislative priorities.

Hansen said Southwest Transit provided about 614,000 rides last year and grew roughly 14% year‑over‑year. He highlighted a 2024 subsidy‑per‑ride comparison: Southwest Transit at $12.07 versus Metro Transit’s $15.42, arguing that the regional opt‑out model delivers efficient service for suburban and exurban riders. "We grew about 14% this year, year over year in terms of ridership," Hansen said during the presentation.

He described Southwest Transit’s service mix—express routes to downtown Minneapolis, Southwest Prime microtransit and special events service—and noted Chaska usage: nearly 18,000 boardings that left Chaska, more than 15,000 boardings that came into the community, and about 16,125 internal Chaska trips recorded on Southwest Prime last year. Hansen asked councilors to support the agency’s legislative position opposing bills that would eliminate the opt‑out and fold services into Metro Transit, arguing that some riders are transit dependent and that Southwest Transit provides targeted, cost‑effective options.

Council members praised the service as essential for work, errands and food access, and asked follow‑up questions about Metro Mobility comparisons, microtransit median wait times and how Southwest Transit could partner with local leaders on outreach and advocacy. The council thanked Southwest Transit and indicated support for outreach to local legislators.