MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Metro Transit is seeing more people riding buses and trains as gas prices climb, with four straight months of growth this spring.

Ridership trends show steady growth since February

What we know:

Metro Transit reported that ridership was down 5% in January compared to the previous January, but then rebounded with a 3% increase in February. March saw a 2% rise, and both April and May posted 3% gains.

Drew Kerr, spokesperson for Metro Transit, said, “When we see cost of vehicle ownership and purchasing fuel go up, we also know that that leaves people to think whether they could use transit, and we hope that the answer to that question in a lot more cases now is yes.”

Nearly 4.5 million people took Metro Transit buses, trains, or light rail in May. That figure is up 2.5% from May 2025.

From January to May, Metro Transit provided 21 million rides, about 1 percent more than the same period last year.

Metro Transit says bus ridership is up 6% so far this year. Kerr explained, “On the bus side, it’s up about 6%. Where we have not seen ridership grow is on the light rail side, but there’s reasons for that. We’ve had some construction already this year on light rail, and, of course, when trains can’t run because there’s construction, people can’t ride the train.”

AAA reports that the average price of regular gas in Minnesota is $3.88 per gallon, and diesel is $4.98 per gallon, which is slightly lower than last month’s prices.

Metro Transit is continuing to look at how fuel costs and service improvements may help drive more ridership this summer.

Metro Transit is monitoring these trends closely to understand how changes in fuel prices and service updates affect how people get around.

On Saturday, people gathered at Bethune Park in Minneapolis to celebrate Juneteenth.

“The energy is electric. Everybody out here is having so much fun,” said Andrew Kuria, who was helping his aunt, a vendor.

Fun with meaning and a purpose of celebrating a holiday close to many hearts.

“Juneteenth,” said Imani Waters, who was singing at the event. “Emancipation, and Black people just being able to celebrate our history.”

Community organizers started the Minneapolis tradition in 1982, filling a gap at a time when many didn’t know about the holiday. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation board hosted Saturday’s event, featuring music, food and vendors like Mary Kuria, who’s originally from Kenya.

“Since I’m from Kenya, I thought I could find some people to make stuff for me and then I can bring it here,” said Mary Kuria, who owns Shiro’s African Boutique.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture says although the Emancipation Proclamation freed African Americans in rebelling states Jan. 1, 1863, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when it was actually fully enforced with the Union army.

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the African Americans who were brought here as slaves,” said Mary Kuria. “They actually made a stepping stone for a lot of us, especially Africans, to be able to come here.”

When it comes to 2026: “I think we’re doing better. I think we can improve in certain areas. I know we have a lot of grey areas, but hey, there’s always room for improvement,” said Karla Nelson, who attended the event.

“We’ve come a long way and we have a long way to go,” Waters added.

“It’s a reminder that change can happen,” Andrew Kuria told WCCO.

Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. Minnesota followed suit in 2023, giving the day off to state workers. Wisconsin does not.