Topic summary

SouthWest Transit

SouthWest Transit

SouthWest Transit is a public transportation agency that is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The agency was formed in 1986 when the southwest Minneapolis suburbs of Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie chose to opt out of the Metropolitan Transit Commission transit system in accordance with Minnesota State Statutes. Under a joint powers agreement between the three cities, they created their own transit system, SouthWest Metro Transit. In 2025, the system had a ridership of 537,300, or about 1,400 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2026.

Now known as SouthWest Transit, the agency continues to be the public transit agency for Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie, as well as Carver and Victoria. It currently offers fixed route service to and from the southwest Minneapolis suburbs, downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota. In addition to fixed route services, SouthWest Transit offers microtransit services (SouthWest Prime) for communities in its service area, as well as special event services to events around the Twin Cities such as sports games, concerts, the state fair, and other highly attended events.