Minnesota. Regional Transit Board

The Regional Transit Board [RTB] was established in 1984 by the Minnesota Legislature to administer the transit needs of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, particularly short-range planning and a light rail transit project [Laws 1984 c654 art3]. It was granted all of the powers of the Metropolitan Transit Commission [MTC], which it superseded for transit planning and oversight functions. The RTB's membership consisted of 14 people elected by the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities Area, and one chairman appointed by the governor. Among its first assignments, the RTB was required to develop a transit service implementation plan to carry out the Metropolitan Council's transit policy plan. In 1985, the RTB's membership was reduced to nine members [Laws 1985 1Sp10 s94 d4].

In 1987, the RTB's purpose was redefined to cover the following: 1) to foster effective delivery of existing transit services and encourage innovation in transit service; 2) to prepare implementation and financial plans for the metropolitan transit system; 3) to set policies and standards for implementing the transit policies and programs of the state and the transit policies of the Metropolitan Council in the metropolitan area; 4) to conduct transit research and evaluation; and 5) to administer state and metropolitan transit subsidies [Laws 1987 c278 s11 d1a]. Two years later, increasing transit services to suburban areas and working cooperatively to coordinate all transit modes and increase the availability of transit services were added to its duties [Laws 1989 c339 s7 d1a].

As overseer of light rail transit, the RTB was ordered to prepare regional coordination, development, and financial plans [Laws 1989 c339 s12 d1-3]. The Legislature created the Joint Light Rail Transit Advisory Committee to aid the RTB in planning and coordinating light rail facilities and activities [Laws 1989 c339 s13 d1] and the Light Rail Transit Joint Powers Board to implement light rail design and construction [Laws 1991 c298 art7 s8].

The RTB was also charged with providing services to all metropolitan area residents. In 1991, the Paratransit Advisory Committee was created to aid the RTB through investigation of transit accessibility for the handicapped and elderly [Laws 1991 c298 art7 s9 d1].

In 1994, the RTB, as well as the MTC, was abolished and all its duties, responsibilities, property, interests, and obligations were transferred to the Metropolitan Council, to be assumed by the Council's newly created Transportation Division [Laws 1994 c628 art2 s4 d1].

From the guide to the Regional Transit Board Records., 1972-1999 (bulk 1984-1994)., (Minnesota Historical Society)