Minnesota Valley Transit Authority will begin serving Prior Lake and Shakopee with MVTA Connect microtransit service beginning Monday, Jan. 13.

MVTA Connect is a point-to-point service that will provide travel connections to everyone living within the Prior Lake/Shakopee zone. Local residents can use the service to travel to and from the Marschall Road Transit Station in Shakopee. Other major destinations in the zone include: Downtown Shakopee, Downtown Prior Lake, Canterbury Park, Mystic Lake Casino, St. Francis Hospital, Town Square Mall and Southbridge Crossings Park & Ride.

The service is app-based and allows customers to book their own rides using their smart phones. Riders can book trips within the zone and can use MVTA Connect as a first-mile/last-mile option to connect with MVTA fixed route buses that travel throughout the metro region.

The new Prior Lake/Shakopee zone will be in operation from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Riders can book their trips using the free RideMVTA app up to three hours prior to taking a trip. All buses are ADA compliant and equipped to handle bike and stroller storage.

The fare is $3 per trip and payment can be made via a credit card or debit card on the app, or by using a Go-To Card or with $3 cash (exact amount, drivers don’t make change) when boarding. Children age 5 and under ride free.

MVTA Connect is the fastest growing segment of MVTA service and has seen record growth every year since it launched in Savage and Burnsville in 2019. Connect ridership has grown from 7,957 riders in 2020 to more than 140,000 riders in 2024.

Connect is a ride-share service and trip times can fluctuate based on system demand. Riders are encouraged to build buffer times into their trip plans when using Connect.

A ribbon cutting ceremony acknowledging the start of the expanded service will be held Thursday, Jan. 9, beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Prior Lake City Hall. For more information on MVTA Connect, go to mvta.com/connect or call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.