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Honoring Metro Transit System of the Year

Honoring Metro Transit System of the Year

Congressman Keith Ellison
Congressional Record: 114th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
26 September 2016

HON. KEITH ELLISON of Minnesota in the House of Representatives
Monday, September 26, 2016

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metro Transit on being named Transit System of the Year. This year, Metro Transit served nearly 86 million riders while offering excellent and reliable service.

The American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award reflects accomplishments made between 2013 and 2015. During this time, Metro Transit increased ridership, expanded access, improved sustainability practices, and increased overall success in system safety. Metro Transit was singled out among all North America agencies that provide more than 20 million annual passenger trips.

Metro Transit plays a vital role in the Twin Cities by providing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable transportation service every day to thousands of commuters, residents, workers, and visitors. In 2015, Metro Transit had its highest ridership in 30 years, with total annual rides of over 85 million. Metro Transit's commitment to sustainability through its transition to lower emission vehicles benefits everyone in the region, whether they use transit or not. Metro Transit not only makes transportation more accessible to workers, it also employs over 3,100 people in the Twin Cities.

I am pleased to say that Metro Transit contributes to the quality of life and preserves the livability of the Twin Cities by mitigating traffic impacts, providing easier access to local businesses, reducing air pollution, and improving circulation throughout the cities.

On behalf of the residents of Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, I congratulate the entire Metro Transit System, its employees, and its Board of Directors, for their efforts and significant contributions to the Greater Minneapolis Area, and for their nationally recognized achievements in providing the highest quality transit service.