[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6104824,"mediaKeyId","2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0","parentId",2790157,"title","Council hears update: Amtrak suspends some routes after rolling-stock corrosion; Borealis service to Chicago suspended indefinitely","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",3773000,"endMs",3838000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0&start=3773&end=3838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6104824/Minnesota/Council-hears-update-Amtrak-suspends-some-routes-after-rolling-stock-corrosion-Borealis-service-to-Chicago-suspended-indefinitely","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104824-55755161cd476593cd450d13f12a7428/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768203&Signature=CVvHdg-sROTWfAGNrlkNXbHZqvmCPaXVuOF3cp8wcBW-4RXGIEyGwda3-hBnMIijv62U4pb1C5W7lon8mXB8jB~7FkBf96tf8D0c9V~--ySY~TCU6O59oYZdRyWGs9fyC88CX7rFe0wpRv-bfnM1s2AlVniCjDHrki8QYo9fzZo--9QaXXSb8xvdxqy2qyft44gHCBRDMmU-C84jjXBDlT5hustzRKdFbF9Z1j1tEZ1zuxTIUHvY9NuvYGVbl3EIVR3KEDuTTzEtq88GIfD~JrmH6gCUlxNv6Ao-g1YsqLaytGW2wCPPA1-vusQD6XWxjmXAILca1OHY0XZPrQX5Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Metropolitan Council","date","2025-03-23T00:00:00Z","article","Metropolitan Council staff told the council on March 26 that Amtrak has removed several trainsets from service because of corrosion and related safety risks, an action that has suspended the Borealis train route to Chicago \"indefinitely,\" the regional administrator said.

Why it matters: the suspension interrupts a key intercity connection at Union Depot and may affect spring-break and summer travel planning; staff said Amtrak indicated some affected trips may be replaced by buses but the timeline for restoring rail service is unknown.

What the council was told

The regional administrator reported that Amtrak discovered corrosion issues in certain rolling stock and consequently pulled multiple runs from service; the Borealis train service was described as \"indefinitely suspended\" in the information passed to staff. The administrator said the announcement was recent and that Amtrak's communications did not fully anticipate local agency needs; council staff will monitor developments and report updates as they learn more.

Next steps

Staff said affected services appear to be replaced in part by bus service in the short term, but the duration and scope of the suspension remain uncertain. The council will monitor Amtrak communications and update Union Depot partners as information becomes available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Council March 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Regional administrators told the Metropolitan Council that Amtrak has removed several passenger cars from service due to corrosion and safety risk, suspending the Borealis service to Chicago indefinitely and affecting other routes.","taxTitle","Metropolitan Council, Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota","taxId",36731,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104829,"Metropolitan Council highlights public art in transit program; outlines maintenance and outreach plans",1120,1262000,2382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0&start=1262&end=2382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0/thumbnail_1262000.jpg","/articles/6104829/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-highlights-public-art-in-transit-program-outlines-maintenance-and-outreach-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104829-ef08daefdcef0bd6bf251586052810f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768203&Signature=eJImjp0h0a1G90f30UtopYsKQNGSOrjcRr1sB4DMYzEK5Go4ODJjnurzG7faSxmpYPsPQkRFKfW3qAyDrseXuCFcrAdyb4z5Z0pk5eOmxZJ4pz4GMO-GwRQJjVWrPWXldJXeKXGaotR2HWsxRHJkuQWstEE3EcgEprhRNIU6aJ~ZK6bHKIMU-UTsM-9xTmFziRZzYG7kLe0UKTR5a03lwmEp~7JaFvE-p6CspASbvGcTrpirAn8afCPMJkQEyHqIcR3OalG5RcIjHmWLO30GZVJBc2uY8VX83NrpbOS89y5geTFRber~MIVmNHcMPtcJO5OyUVrjcWyz~zH-~mcANg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metro Transit staff presented an annual update on the council’s public art in transit program on March 26, describing conservation work, anti‑graffiti treatments, community partnerships, and new commissions scheduled for 2025.

Mark Granlund, public art administrator, told the full council the program manages 82 permanent public artworks composed of roughly 420 individual pieces and runs five program strands: permanent collection maintenance, facilities maintenance support, community opportunities, new/upgraded facilities and an interpretive program of tours and outreach.

Why it matters: public art investments were presented as both cultural improvements and practical tools that reduce vandalism and lower maintenance costs. Staff argued the program contributes to rider and employee experience while supporting local artists, including MCUB and small businesses.

What the presentation covered

Conservation and anti‑graffiti measures: Granlund described anti‑graffiti coatings, a conservation technician position that oversees maintenance, and a stainless‑steel panel restoration process (panels removed, treated, and reinstalled). He said the program had about 12 graffiti incidents on artwork in the last year versus about 20 the prior year and credited coatings and maintenance training for the decline.

Durability and design innovations: Metro Transit is piloting polycarbonate panels with embedded artwork (to reduce broken glass), anti‑graffiti wallpaper in elevator lobbies and mural programs at site types prone to vandalism. Bus shelter clings (50/50 perforated material) were cited as reducing graffiti and glass vandalism in shelters by roughly 60% and 50% respectively in pilot locations.

Community partnerships and artist roster: The program worked with local partners including the Walker Art Center and Juxtaposition Arts on shelter clings for North Minneapolis D Line shelters and has started an artist roster of about 25 local artists to streamline small projects. Granlund said the roster has been used for poster and illustration projects and that the program will share the roster with local partners and suburban providers interested in public art.

Upcoming commissions and relocations: For 2025 staff highlighted new murals and mosaics at the North Loop garage, interior ceiling work in the break room, and relocation of older, hard‑to‑maintain interactive pieces (for example, the Small Kindnesses Weather Permitting audio/interactive boxes) to more protected, accessible locations. Granlund said selection panels and RFQ/RFP processes were used to commission the new pieces.

Council response and follow-up

Multiple councilmembers praised the program and asked about community partnerships, school involvement and how to access the roster for local projects. Granlund and staff said the process for wraps and shelter clings is coordinated through Creative Services (Maria Cohn for bus wraps) and that the public can propose projects or use default designs for utility boxes. Staff said they will continue public art tours, expand interpretive programming and coordinate outreach as installations move from concept to completed work.

The presentation concluded with staff noting the public art program also supports procurement goals (MCUB and local business participation) and that regular maintenance and conservation are core program functions.","Metro Transit staff presented the public art in transit program—an 82-work permanent collection—with details on conservation, anti-graffiti treatments, community partnerships, bus-shelter art, and planned commissions for 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6104834,"Metropolitan Council approves budget amendment, two technology contracts and endorses Network Now transit plan",886,344000,1230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0&start=344&end=1230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2790157-1edb21a8c06554f1d0fcad5c66612da0/thumbnail_344000.jpg","/articles/6104834/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-approves-budget-amendment-two-technology-contracts-and-endorses-Network-Now-transit-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6104834-58c61af8490d83082b1f9acfb29254e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768203&Signature=WBIbkeBx8bjy-8BHG30W6uugynltzi~W2ipCDuuB38nnyQ~BR~rZj3vtr4EeOs5h4Zgfnaa5eJRnRQIiCO19ie-zS~e7IzHWZ4S6xTKxVeGHSiBHaXD~e-clNQ7cIwwJ-28ogXFAj-X~epNl8pU6KTJPE5If4RDk23vPKNT~V7q-ZIHBgcd5vX5dQM-vQQucz5luVOnGgiUq1916NtIDlr4SnE4PCUPT85tHSFunNtdr0ffGPiOH6q0EM0QoJwUfXLrvzj-TDki7JxxUVQEKh8u3rF3~ykVpyrv90acENdB2IeL9QREvzNXxeVgJRYIHD~lIXEIOCJOiWKvHgiw4Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council on March 26 approved a first-quarter and carry-forward amendment to its 2025 unified budget, authorized two technology contracts for enterprise systems and cloud services, and endorsed the Network Now transit framework that will reconfigure bus service across the seven-county region.

The amendment to the council's 2025 unified budget—moved by Councilmember Peter Johnson and approved by roll call—adjusts operating and capital budgets across regional administration, community development and transportation, carries forward previously allocated equity grant funds, and adds staff and fleet purchases. The council also approved a contract to implement a new Enterprise Asset Management System and a three-year Microsoft licensing and Azure cloud-services contract. Finally, the council endorsed Network Now, a plan that would discontinue 50 routes while reallocating resources to expand overall service by more than 40 percent.

Why it matters: the budget changes and contract approvals finance immediate system upgrades (software, asset-management, cloud migration) and underpin a major service reconfiguration intended to grow ridership and change how bus service is delivered across the region.

Budget amendment: what changed

Councilmember Peter Johnson presented the unified budget amendment as a package of operating and capital updates. The amendment carries forward funds set aside in 2023–24 for business process systems integration (listed in the motion as equity-grant carry-forwards of $1,000,000 and $2,200,000), adds three full‑time positions to regional administration finance to support the general ledger and accounts teams, and makes several transportation capital changes.

Transportation items in the amendment include funding to purchase 98 replacement buses (scheduled for Metro Transit delivery in 2026) and 22 expansion buses to support the Network Now initiative. The amendment also reclassified $10,000,000 in state funding for the Blue Line Extension from the capital budget to the operating budget, added $16,500,000 for Blue Line rail maintenance and track work, $5,800,000 for new transit information software, and $2,000,000 for MTS equipment. Councilmembers noted the project details are listed in the packet tables (tables 9 and 11) provided in advance.

Enterprise Asset Management contract

Councilmember Andrew Jones introduced business item 2025-574, a contract to replace two legacy work-management systems with a single enterprise asset-management (EAM) platform. \"The Enterprise Asset Management System known as EAMS project will replace the council's 2 legacy work management systems with a single modern enterprise platform,\" Jones said. The council authorized the regional administrator to negotiate and execute contract 23P221 with 21 Tech LLC for implementation of Hexagon EAM, including software licensing and support, in an amount listed in the motion (the motion text in the meeting transcript lists two amounts; staff indicated detailed contract totals are in the packet). The council approved the item by voice vote.

Microsoft licensing and Azure cloud services

Councilmember Johnson presented business item 2025-575 to renew enterprise Microsoft licensing and Azure cloud services through SHI International. The motion authorizes contract 25P051 for Microsoft licenses, Windows and Office 365 support, SharePoint and Azure cloud services in an amount not to exceed $32,500,000; the presentation said approximately $18,200,000 of that total covers Azure cloud services supporting the council's migration to the cloud. The council approved the three‑year renewal by voice vote.

Network Now endorsement and route changes

Councilmember Barber brought business item 2025-530 to endorse Network Now, a service‑planning framework the council said reflects more than 8,000 public comments plus technical and policy analysis. \"This framework guides improvements to grow ridership, enhance mobility and meet travel needs,\" Barber said during the meeting.

Under the endorsed framework, Metro Transit projects more than 40% systemwide expansion in the areas targeted by Network Now. Specific outcomes described in the presentation include frequency or span improvements on more than 70 routes, 26 routes reaching 15-minute or better service, light-rail service returning to 10-minute headways, creation of eight new micro-zones, restoration of 12 suspended routes, and a permanent discontinuation of 50 routes; resources from discontinued lines would be reinvested elsewhere in the system. Councilmembers also completed a budget roll-call vote to make funds available for Network Now implementation.

Council comment and next steps

Speakers including Metro Transit operations leadership flagged communications and implementation as key follow-ups. Metro Transit General Manager Harjei (identified in the meeting) said staff plan quarterly updates so council members and the public can track how lines move from plan to implementation.

Votes at a glance

- 2025 unified budget amendment (management committee item; packet tables referenced): authorized by motion; roll-call recorded and carried.
- Contract 23P221 — EAMS (21 Tech LLC / Hexagon EAM): authorized; motion carried (voice vote).
- Contract 25P051 — Microsoft licensing and Azure services (SHI International): authorized in an amount not to exceed $32,500,000; motion carried (voice vote).
- Network Now endorsement and related budget roll-call: endorsed; motion carried (roll-call for funding recorded).

The council packet and attached tables contain line‑by‑line project funding and contract detail; staff indicated typographical corrections would be made to the printed business-item language before the final record.","On March 26 the Metropolitan Council approved a 2025 unified budget amendment, authorized two technology contracts for asset management and Microsoft licensing, and endorsed the Network Now transit framework, including discontinuation of 50 bus routes and investments to expand service.","actionData","errors"]

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Council hears update: Amtrak suspends some routes after rolling-stock corrosion; Borealis service to Chicago suspended indefinitely

Metropolitan Council highlights public art in transit program; outlines maintenance and outreach plans

Metropolitan Council approves budget amendment, two technology contracts and endorses Network Now transit plan