MINNEAPOLIS — Riding the light rail or Metro Transit bus is going to be the same price all day next year.
Starting Jan. 1, fares on all non-express buses and the light rail will be $2 "all day, every day," according to a Metro Transit news release. Youth, seniors, and Medicare recipients will be able to ride for $1.
The change comes as Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras says they want to support the belief that "cost should not be a barrier for those who want or need access to our services.”
“Making transit easier to use is key to growing ridership, and we believe simplifying fares will help do just that," Kandaras said in the news release.
Ridership is up at Metro Transit, with officials saying that there has been an 8% increase through the end of September compared to the same time last year.
Metro Transit added in the news release that they are preparing its first systemwide upgrade of fare collection equipment, and will eventually let rides purchase fares by tapping their phones or cards.