Hear and learn from riders as they answer our "10 Questions with Metro Transit!" Today we meet David! To share your story, send an email with “10 Questions” in the subject line to [email protected].
How long have you been riding the bus or train?
Since 2020 when Molly, my wife, and I moved to St. Paul. We chose a place in downtown St. Paul that was close to the Green Line because we wanted to use transit.
How often do you ride?
I take public transit every day I go to the office.
Favorite route(s)?
Green Line. I also commute sometimes by the 94 Express.
Why do you ride transit?
My wife and I recently bought a house in Midway where it would be easy to take public transit. Many trips are safer by public transit, and it’s better for the environment. It’s also cheaper when you factor in the cost of parking where I work in downtown Minneapolis.
What you wish “first-timers” knew?
The big thing I wish more people knew is that riding transit is easy. It's easy to get a pass and pay your fare. There’s an app. It’s easy to look up timetables and track your bus or train.
Favorite destination?
Union Depot Station because you can go to CHS Field, the farmer’s market and restaurants. My wife and I took some of our wedding photos in 2022 on a light rail train waiting at that station because we love transit so much. We just celebrated our second anniversary on Aug. 27.
What do we (Metro Transit) get right?
Metro Transit has one of the best public transit networks in the country, and the investments it’s made in its light rail system are huge steps in the right direction. There's state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure that make the Green Line and Blue Line work so well.
What can we do to improve?
I really think just more of the same -- more routes, more frequent service and more signal pre-emption. If they could get the Green Line to pre-empt the signal on University at Snelling, that would be great. That would save 30 seconds to a minute every trip.
Favorite onboard memory?
I have to say it was our wedding photos and taking our 1-year-old son to the State Fair this year on the A Line. There were all these other young families on board, and they gave him a lot of attention. He absolutely loved it.
Favorite movie about transit?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (which, if you watch closely, is about how rescuing transit riders is what makes Spider-Man who he is).