Frequently Asked Questions
About 311
What do I do when I need to call 311 from outside the city limits?
Does it work with cellular telephones?
When do I use 311, and when do I use 911?
What is the implementation of 311 costing the city?
Will 311 operators be able to respond in other languages?
Will 311 Agents be able to respond to calls from hearing impaired individuals?
What is 311?
Minneapolis 311 is a simple, three-digit number residents, businesses and visitors can call to reach the City to inquire about services, report problems, check the status of issues, or get information. Instead of having to weed through a list of more than 200 seven-digit City numbers, all people need to know is 311. From getting library hours, to finding out where to vote, to reporting a stray dog in your neighborhood and a whole lot more, 311 operators are ready to help.
Who can call 311?
Anyone in the Minneapolis city limits can call 3∙1∙1 free of charge (however pay phone and cellular phone airtime charges do apply).
When can I call 311?
Customer service agents will staff the phone from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
Why was 311 created?
The 311 service is part of an ongoing effort by Minneapolis to make City government easier and more responsive to the needs of residents, its business owners, and visitors.
What do I do when I need to call 311 from outside the city limits?
People outside the Minneapolis city limits, including cell phone users, can reach 311 customer service agents by calling (612) 673-3000.
Does it work with cellular telephones?
Cell phone users can call 3∙1∙1, provided they are within or near the Minneapolis city limits.
Is it a free service?
There is no charge for using 311. There is also no additional service assessment or fee that will be collected for 311 by your phone company. However, this is not a free call for pay phone users. Also, depending on your plan, your cellular phone company may charge minutes for this call.
When do I use 311, and when do I use 911?
The 911 service is for emergencies, such as house fires and violent crimes, that require an immediate response by police, fire crews, or an ambulance. For all other city services, call 3∙1∙1.
What is the implementation of 311 costing the city?
The startup cost is approximately $6.3 million. This is being paid through a combination of city revenue and federal grant money. Minneapolis 311 is budget neutral, meaning that there are no additional costs associated with the day-to-day operations. (All City departments contribute a share of their budget to pay for 311 operations.) In fact, other cities that have put a 311 system in place have seen savings through improved communication and increased efficiency.
Will 311 operators be able to respond in other languages?
If someone calls 311 who speaks a language that the Minneapolis 311 staff cannot speak, a third-party translation service will join the call.
Will 311 Agents be able to respond to calls from hearing impaired individuals?
The 311 Agents are equipped with computer-based technology that enables hearing impaired individuals to easily communicate with the City of Minneapolis using their current TDD/TTY devices. After hours and on weekends, the 311 Center will have automated technology to respond to hearing impaired callers. The TDD/TTY direct number for 311 is (612) 673-2157.
Last updated Mar. 19, 2012