Metro Transit Bill Proposed to Replace Hourcar Fleet

Minnesota Representative Katie Jones is preparing legislation for the 2027 legislative session that would authorize Metro Transit to operate a car sharing program. This proposal aims to provide an alternative for more than 4,000 active members in the Twin Cities who lost access to vehicle sharing services when the Hourcar non-profit announced its closure on Oct. 8.

The non-profit cited a funding gap of $625,000 as the primary reason for discontinuing operations after 21 years in the region. Rising insurance costs and the loss of state and federal grants contributed to the financial deficit. The shutdown affects both the Hourcar and Evie programs, with Evie operating a fully electric fleet.

Jones argues that Metro Transit has a direct interest in maintaining car sharing infrastructure. She contends that former members would likely purchase personal vehicles if they lose access to shared cars, which would reduce their reliance on public transportation. Her bill also addresses environmental concerns and the individual financial burden of thousands of new vehicles entering the local market.

Neighbors for Community Carshare, an advocacy group working with Jones, is seeking immediate interim solutions. Former Hourcar employee Noah Velick stated that the group is pursuing funding from local city and county leadership to maintain operations using Hourcar's existing fleet. Velick noted that the organization is currently finalizing the details of this temporary arrangement to meet user needs before the new bill passes.

The closure followed a period of increased financial pressure on the non-profit. Hourcar raised prices in 2025 and received supplemental funding from the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, but these measures proved insufficient. Many users expressed frustration over the timing of the announcement, which came just weeks before the end of the service year.

In its closure announcement, Hourcar stated, "Until recently, we believed we could solve the funding challenge without disrupting service." The sudden end to the program has left long-time users searching for new transportation methods.

Susan Van Pelt, a 63-year-old Minneapolis resident in the Mill District neighborhood, used the service for nearly two decades. Living on a fixed Social Security and disability income, Van Pelt does not own a car. She relies on public transportation for daily travel but anticipates using paid ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft for longer distances and large grocery runs.

Van Pelt emphasized the environmental benefits of the service, stating, "If you don’t need to own a car and pollute and use fossil fuels, don’t do it." Her experience reflects the preferences of many members who valued the program's lower carbon footprint compared to private vehicle ownership.

Velick observed that many former users are considering buying cars despite affordability issues. He explained, "They can’t get to their medical appointments, or they can’t go grocery shopping easily without a car. So they’re considering making sacrifices in other areas of their life just to be able to buy a new car."

Community support for the program was visible on Oct. 13, when more than 100 people attended a rally advocating for the continuation of the service. Olu Famile, a user since 2022, attended the event and reported staying home more frequently to avoid complex transportation logistics. The legislative process for Jones's bill will determine the long-term structure of vehicle sharing in the Twin Cities.