Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 23, 2008
MET COUNCIL TO HOLD HEARINGS
ON PROPOSED FARES FOR NORTHSTAR COMMUTER RAIL
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – (Sept. 23) –The Metropolitan Council will hold public hearings in October on proposed fares for the Northstar Line, the state's first commuter rail service set to open in late 2009. The 40-mile Northstar commuter rail line will provide service on the segment of existing track along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis.
The Council's Transportation Committee yesterday approved proposed fares that are priced according to a tier system, based on the distance away from downtown Minneapolis. The proposed weekday cash fares (one-way to downtown Minneapolis) from the five stations anticipated to be open by late 2009:
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Big Lake – $7.50
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Elk River – $5.50
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Anoka – $4.00
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Coon Rapids – $4.00
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Fridley – $3.25
For customers not traveling to downtown, the proposed fare would be $3.25 between stations.
Northstar trains will offer service during morning and evening weekday rush hours,
as well as regular weekend service and some special event service. Trains will make the trip at speeds up to 79 mph, with a direct connection to Hiawatha light-rail trains in downtown Minneapolis. The trip from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis is estimated to take about 45 minutes.
This summer, a joint committee with representatives from Anoka, Hennepin and Sherburne counties, the Northstar Community Development Authority (NCDA) and Metro Transit reviewed and analyzed potential fare options for the Northstar commuter rail line. A recommendation on the proposed fares will be presented to the NCDA in December, followed by a final decision by the Metropolitan Council.
The public hearing schedule follows:
Wednesday, Oct. 15, noon – 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library Doty Room
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Served by Routes 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 25, 675, 852Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anoka County Government Center Board Room (7th floor)
2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka
Served by Routes 766, 805, 850, 851, 852Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 – 8 p.m.
Sherburne County Government Center Board Room
13880 Highway 10 (13880 Business Center Drive), Elk River
Trip planning services is available at metrotransit.org or by calling a transit information representative at 612-373-3333.
The public is invited to register in advance to speak at a public hearing by calling the Regional Data Center at 651-602-1140. Members of the public also can comment by e-mailing data.center@metc.state.mn.us. Comments can be mailed to the Data Center at 390 North Robert Street, St. Paul 55101 or faxed to 651-602-1464. Recorded phone messages can be directed to 651-602-1500 (TTY 651-291-0904). The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
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(Editors: For information call Bob Gibbons, director of customer services, 612-349-7509 or via e-mail at robert.gibbons@metc.state.mn.us)
