SRF was retained by Metro Transit in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota to conduct the agency’s Title VI reporting for a range of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements over a five-year period, beginning in 2009. This contract was renewed in 2014, 2019, and 2024. FTA rules require Metro Transit to monitor service relative to standards and policies, evaluate the impacts of new transit facilities, and review proposed major service changes and fare changes to ensure outcomes do not have discriminatory impacts to low-income or minority populations. SRF’s project responsibilities include extensive GIS analysis, statistical testing, and accurate and comprehensive interpretation and reporting of results.
The methods SRF has developed are nuanced and comprehensive, and withstand scrutiny by both FTA officials and the public at large. We also work collaboratively with Metro Transit staff to tailor our methods to specific project needs.
When measuring the impacts of one or more service changes, we use SRF’s Title VI model, which dramatically reduces the time needed to complete service equity analyses. The model is readily adaptable to work for any geographic location and allows for quick evaluation of multiple service change scenarios. The Title VI model makes it easy to assess the combined impacts of multiple simultaneous service changes.
SRF’s approach to evaluating fare changes is similarly robust. We combine onboard survey data and farebox records to comprehensively understand the users of different fare products. These data allow us to understand who will benefit from proposed fare changes and to what extent.
To date, SRF has completed dozens of work orders for Metro Transit. Recent equity analyses and service monitoring evaluations completed by SRF for Metro Transit include:
- Local Fare Simplification Fare Equity Analysis (2025)
- Systemwide Service Monitoring Evaluation (2025)
- Title VI Policy Update (2025)
- Facilities Maintenance and Materials Management Facility Siting Evaluation (2025)
- Network Now Service Equity Analysis (2024)
- METRO Gold Line Service Equity Analysis (2024)
- Fare-free Pilot for Routes 32 and 62 Fare Equity Analysis (2023 and 2024)
- METRO D Line Service Equity Analysis (2022)
- Systemwide Service Monitoring Evaluation (2018)
