House committee backs plan to consolidate suburban transit agencies under Metro Transit

Concerns raised over potential service cuts and loss of specialized programs if SouthWest Transit and others are folded into larger agency

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:49am

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A House committee has approved a plan to consolidate all metropolitan transit agencies, including SouthWest Transit, under the umbrella of Metro Transit. The move is aimed at cutting costs, but suburban transit leaders warn it could lead to reduced service and the elimination of specialized programs like on-demand rideshare.

Why it matters

The proposed consolidation raises concerns about the future of high-performing suburban transit agencies like SouthWest Transit, which has seen ridership grow even as other agencies lost riders. There are worries that merging these agencies into Metro Transit could result in service cuts and the loss of tailored programs that meet the unique needs of suburban communities.

The details

The Transportation Policy and Finance Committee approved a bill to fold all metropolitan transit agencies into Metro Transit, citing a report that identified several high-subsidy bus routes across the region. SouthWest Transit says it has lower subsidies per rider than Metro Transit for commuter services, and has added new routes and an autonomous vehicle program. Transit leaders warn the consolidation could reduce service, especially for last-mile connections to light rail stations, and eliminate popular on-demand services like SouthWest Prime.

  • The House committee approved the consolidation plan on March 12, 2026.
  • If passed, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2027.

The players

Rep. Jon Koznick

Co-chair of the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee and author of the bill to consolidate transit agencies under Metro Transit.

Erik Hansen

CEO of SouthWest Transit, which serves Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chanhassen and Carver.

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski

State senator representing Eden Prairie, who has received over 300 emails from constituents praising SouthWest Transit.

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

State representative for Eden Prairie who is concerned about the broad approach of the consolidation plan and its potential impact on service quality.

Rep. Alex Falconer

State representative for Eden Prairie who is disappointed by the committee vote and hopes for further deliberation on the issue.

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What they’re saying

“If this bill is passed, those numbers will be unchanged. Taxes that today are sent to suburban transit agencies will simply be retained by (the) Met Council.”

— SouthWest Transit (eplocalnews.org)

“From our perspective, we think that the more transit you have in Eden Prairie, the better off we are.”

— Erik Hansen, CEO, SouthWest Transit (eplocalnews.org)

“To me, it just seems like a really broad brush approach when we have not really set a baseline standard.”

— Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, State Representative, Eden Prairie (eplocalnews.org)

“(SouthWest Transit is) a necessary and vital part of how our community moves and gets around.”

— Rep. Alex Falconer, State Representative, Eden Prairie (eplocalnews.org)

What’s next

The bill will next go to the House Ways and Means Committee and must be approved by the full House. A companion measure, SF 4326, has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate.

The takeaway

The proposed consolidation of suburban transit agencies under Metro Transit raises concerns about the potential for service cuts and the loss of specialized programs that meet the unique needs of communities like Eden Prairie. Legislators and transit leaders warn the broad approach could negatively impact riders, and are calling for further deliberation and input from the public before any major changes are implemented.