Metro Transit puts the pedal to the metal on new routes, safety and hiring

When Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras talks about route changes, safety measures, and hiring at her organization, she has an insider perspective. Not only does Kandaras lead the organization, but she’s gotten behind the wheel at Metro Transit, too.

“I had the opportunity to join one of our classes and study for my commercial learner’s permit to drive a bus,” Kandaras explained. “It’s a difficult job, but we have a good method to teach people and make sure they succeed. The process gave me a different perspective on transit.”

Kendaras says the past year has been a thrilling ride for Metro Transit, which has invested in enhancements designed to make Metro Transit faster, more frequent, and easier to use.

“Our mission is connecting people, strengthening communities, and improving lives,” said Lesley Kandaras, general manager of Metro Transit. “A lot of what we’re focused on right now is increasing service so we can be an easy, convenient option for people to get around the Twin Cities.”

By the end of 2025, Metro Transit will have opened three new bus rapid transit lines, resulting in a growth of 120 miles, putting 38% of the region’s car-free households, 30% of the region’s renter households, and 28% of the region’s total jobs within half a mile of a Metro Transit station. 

The Gold Line, which opened in March and provides fast and reliable transportation connecting riders in the East Metro, between Woodbury and downtown St. Paul. The B Line, which debuted in June, provides rapid transit service in the Lake Street, Marshall Avenue, and Selby Avenue corridor. Finally, the E Line, set to open in December, will replace the existing Route 6 bus service and connect communities between St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Edina.

“We’re also increasing service to existing bus lines,” Kandaras added. “We’re focused on expanding service that can support a variety of reasons to travel, so making sure it is all-day service and making sure it’s connecting people to places they want to go.”

Along with additional routes and expanded service, Metro Transit has also focused on a safety and security action plan to increase official presence throughout the system. Currently, Metro Transit has a police department with police officers and community service officers. “In recent years, we’ve added what are called transit rider investment program agents or TRIP agents who are out there assisting customers,” Kandaras explained. “We’ve also added supplemental security at key locations.”

Kandaras says a key to implementing improvements at Metro Transit has been staff, which is constantly being added. “It’s hard to name all the positions it takes to make transit happen.” Metro Transit is currently hiring maintenance technicians, public facilities workers, and drivers. “Bus operators earn $29.70 per hour to start, and that’s during training,” Kendaras said. “If you work second or third shift, that hourly wage goes up even more.”

By the end of 2027, Metro Transit is looking to add about 1,000 people to its team. To learn more about job opportunities, routes, changes, and enhancements at Metro Transit, go to: https://www.metrotransit.org.

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