Riders board a SouthWest Transit bus during the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. The agency set a single-day ridership record Aug. 30 with 15,712 passengers. Photo courtesy of SouthWest Transit
SouthWest Transit saw a record number of riders during this year’s Minnesota State Fair, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the agency. On Friday, August 30, the transit system reported 15,712 riders using its shuttle service to the fair – the highest single-day total in its history.
The increase in ridership contributed to a broader rise for the year, with overall ridership growing by 30.1% in 2024 compared to the previous year. SouthWest Transit served a total of 100,632 riders, the third-largest figure in the agency’s history.
Passenger satisfaction remained high, with 95% of riders reporting approval of the fair shuttle service and 96% expressing satisfaction with SouthWest Transit overall, the agency said in a statement.
“We’re thrilled that our numbers have grown so much this year while maintaining very high customer satisfaction,” said Erik Hansen, CEO of SouthWest Transit.
During the State Fair, SouthWest Transit ran a “buy one, get one” (BOGO) promotion, allowing riders to purchase a shuttle ticket for either the fair or the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and receive a free ticket for the other event. Although the promotion has ended, the agency will continue to provide shuttle services for the remaining days of the Renaissance Festival and for upcoming Vikings, Twins, and Timberwolves games.
SouthWest Transit serves several communities in the southwest metro, including Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, and neighboring cities like Carver and Victoria.