Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Transit Impacts Research Program Presentation and 2025 Funding Request
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Recommendation
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Approve the expenditure of $30,000 for Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority’s share of the Transit Impacts Research Program for 2025.
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Background and Rationale
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The Transit Impacts Research Program (TIRP) studies the economic and community impacts of transitway projects. The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA), an active participant in the program since 2008, along with other local governments, and the University of Minnesota support various research initiatives through the TIRP. The 2025 TIRP funding request to RCRRA is in the amount of $30,000 to help support a research project called “Workers as Co-designers of Workforce Development: Lessons for Transit Workforce Planning.” This research aims to assist regional transit agencies in improving hiring, retention, and leadership promotion through worker-informed co-design processes. It establishes a foundation for agencies to involve frontline workers, such as drivers and mechanics, as continuous partners in the co-creation and evaluation of evolving transit workforce solutions.
On November 12, 2024, Professor Jason Cao of the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs presented to the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority on recent research funded by TIRP.
Continued research will take advantage of skills at the University of Minnesota to provide useful information for decisions on transitway development. Additional information about the Transit Impacts Research Program can be found on their website:
<https://www.cts.umn.edu/programs/tirp>
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Throughout Ramsey County and the Twin Cities metro, transitways provide reliable, low-cost, and high-amenity transportation options. These transitways serve many transit-dependent households and areas of racially concentrated poverty. Additionally, transitways provide access to jobs, workforce training opportunities, and other key destinations. Regional transit providers have struggled with challenges recruiting and retaining the workforce to operate and maintain this critical infrastructure. The $30,000 in funding will help these providers work collaboratively with their workforce to improve recruiting and retention, including in marginalized communities, and equitably meet the needs of the public.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Research done by the Transit Impacts Research Program includes qualitative and quantitative
methods of gathering input from those who currently use or benefit from transitway projects, as well
as those in need of improved access.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding in the amount of $30,000 is available in the 2025 Multimodal Planning operating budget.
Last Previous Action
On November 12, 2024, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority authorized $30,000 for the TIRP program in 2024 (Resolution R2024-019).
Attachments
1. Presentation
2. Letter