“it has actually contributed to increasing traffic (cars stopping in downtown waiting for the train to go buy, causing more congestion”
LOL people love to complain about this (trains like this are very short, BTW), but not for buses. Buses stop at various points at every block and in older cities, are always blocking that lane. Sometimes even blocking the next lane, as they stick out into it because cars are already parked near their loading stop. Buses are traffic congestion-creators, too.
Plus, as a rider, you are subject to the same traffic problems as cars - a major traffic jam, you’re not going anywhere. Trains generally get where they are going - and we know exactly where they will be, because there are tracks to see. Unlike buses which might muck up every lane!
Buses do not cost billions. You can add buses to the road and take them off cheaply. Don’t know where you come from but up here we have a bus / car pool lane (two or more in a car can use it). So buses do not block traffic. Sorry but you have no clue about MN infrastructure.