New task force could examine enhancements to Metro Mobility program

Could Uber and Lyft drivers help the Metropolitan Council’s paratransit service serve its riders more efficiently? That’s one question a proposed task force could be charged with finding out.

Rep. Jon Koznick

HF1745, sponsored by Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville), would create a task force to examine how to enhance Metro Mobility, the on-demand program that serves transit riders with disabilities with door-to-door rides.

It would direct the group to analyze whether app-based transportation companies like the increasingly popular Uber and Lyft services could enhance Metro Mobility services. A report to the Legislature would be required by Feb. 15, 2018.

The House Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee approved the bill Wednesday, referring it to the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee. Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) sponsors a companion, SF1713, which has been approved by the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and awaits action by the Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee.

The task force would be comprised of members of state agencies, local elected officials and representatives from private transportation network companies. Members would have to be appointed by Aug. 1, 2017, and the task force would be required to meet for the first time by Sept. 1. The legislation would also set an expiration date for the group of June 30, 2018.

A Metropolitan Council spokesperson voiced some support for the proposal, while also expressing concerns with the makeup of the proposed task force.

The council said last month that Metro Mobility provided more than 2.2 million rides in 2016, a 6 percent jump over the previous year.

The program also faced some criticism from lawmakers earlier this week over a recent news report that highlighted safety incidents with some of the service’s privately contracted drivers. The Metropolitan Council said there were 29 accidents with injuries out of the more than 2 million rides given last year.