Transportation Management

The Southeast Minnesota Transportation Management Organization (TMO) Feasibility Study is now complete. The Study demonstrated that a regional TMO is both feasible and can play a critical role in supporting access, strengthening economic development, and improving quality of life across the region.

If the region moves forward with implementation, the Southeast Service Cooperative (SSC) will serve as the host agency for the TMO. SSC is a non-profit agency that works across all 11 counties in the Southeast Minnesota region, providing services to public and private schools, local governments, and other community-based organizations.  As host, SSC will provide key administrative services such as human resources, IT, and financial management, in exchange for an administrative fee. The TMO will operate as a financially self-sufficient program within SSC.  The following are key findings identified by the Study.

• • TMO Structure. The proposed organizational structure for the Southeast Minnesota TMO is designed to be cost-effective, collaborative, and scalable. A hosted model will allow the TMO to launch within an established organization while minimizing startup costs and administrative burden.

  • Transportation Challenges.  A TMO could play a critical role in addressing key transportation barriers across the region, including limited awareness of available transit services, underutilization of existing options, lack of coordination among transit providers, unmet employer transportation needs, and gaps in regional coverage.

  • Initial Priorities. The TMO’s initial priorities will focus on four major functions:

    • 1.  Coordinating transportation providers and services

      2.  Promoting transit and travel options

      3.  Serving as a regional transportation information hub

      4.  Creating a unified voice for transit advocacy in the region

  • Future Services and Capacity - As the TMO establishes itself, it can begin to offer additional services that address persistent operational and funding challenges. Future services will allow the TMO to adapt to regional needs, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for coordinated, equitable, and effective transportation solutions.

Launching a regional TMO will require ongoing outreach, strong partnerships, and sustainable funding. To build on the momentum of the feasibility study, the following steps are planned.  These actions will help lay the foundation for a successful and sustainable TMO in Southeast Minnesota.

• Continue to engage interested Steering Committee members to guide priorities, advocacy, and funding efforts

• Share study findings through a regional roadshow to build awareness and support

• Secure commitments from local partners

• Establish a hosting agreement with the Southeast Service Cooperative

• Pursue funding, including a state legislative request and federal 5310 grant applications.

Who will the potential TMO serve? A TMO in this region could serve a variety of organizations and individuals. It could help businesses with workforce transportation needs, transit agencies with promoting transit services, educational institutions with student transportation, and medical institutions with patient transportation needs. It could provide transportation information, incentives, and services directly to workers, students, and residents. While beneficial to all, TMOs particularly benefit those who cannot or choose not to drive (or drive alone).

Why have we written this plan?  Southeast Minnesota (SE MN) Together seeks to strengthen regional connections to address the social and economic issues affecting Southeast Minnesota. In 2024, SE MN Together launched an initiative to determine an organizational structure that can access and coordinate resources to address the region’s transportation needs related to workforce transportation, access to healthcare and education, access to services, and quality of life. Specifically, the study assessed if a transportation management organization (TMO) would be feasible in the 11-county region in Southeast Minnesota. The study evaluated the feasibility of a TMO based on previous and ongoing plans and initiatives, technical data, and stakeholder input. The study also evaluated potential champions for long-term implementation and availability of reliable funding sources. Findings were used to develop a proposed operating model for a sustainable and effective TMO.

Who is behind this project?  SE MN Together is a regional collaborative network of organizations and individuals developing and pursuing strategies to address our workforce shortage. SE MN Together also seeks to strengthen regional connections and build local capacity in communities across the region, which can be leveraged to address other social and economic issues affecting Southeast Minnesota.  The plan was completed in partnership with the City of Chatfield and funded by the Legislature of Minnesota. It was supported by Community and Economic Development Associates, Alta Planning + Design, and Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc.

Who led the way?  The SE MN TMO Study Steering Committee plays a pivotal role as the primary strategic advisor in the planning process, a key prioritization and decision-oriented body, and a pivotal voice for guaranteeing future implementation of the plan. The Steering Committee collaborates closely with the SE MN team through regular meetings and workshops to directly support decision-making. The Committee includes a diverse group of stakeholders with a wide range of skills, interests, and backgrounds and representing the entire geography of the region.

When did this study take place? This study was completed between August 2024 and June 2025.

How can I learn more?  Please email semntogether@gmail.com!