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Northstar Corridor commuters weigh in on proposed fares

More than 60 residents throughout the Northstar Corridor attended three hearings held to solicit public input on the proposed fares for the commuter rail line. Set to open in November 2009, the 40-mile line will provide service on existing track along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis.

Hearing attendees expressed support for Northstar, but concern over the prices from Big Lake and Elk River.

 “I’m excited about it,” said Lyn Wendlandt of Big Lake, who currently rides the bus to her job downtown. “But it just seems like a lot for a round trip for a single day.”

Fares vary by distance

The proposed fares are priced according to a tier system, based on a station’s distance from downtown Minneapolis. Proposed weekday cash fares (one-way) to downtown Minneapolis from five suburban stations are:

• Big Lake – $8.00
• Elk River – $6.00
• Anoka – $4.00
• Coon Rapids – $4.00
• Fridley – $3.25

For customers not traveling downtown, the proposed one-way fare between stations is $3.25.

Fares were derived by comparing the costs associated with driving from each station location to downtown Minneapolis, including gas and parking costs. Five daily trips will be operated in each direction, and plans are in development to run three or more weekend trips. Metro Transit has some flexibility to schedule trips around any major professional sports events or other community events, said Adam Harrington, senior manager of operations planning for Metro Transit.

Each train will have a locomotive and four cars, allowing for about 585 passengers on each trip, compared to approximately 40 on the bus, Harrington said. Trains will also be equipped with restrooms, bike racks, and space to stow luggage and bags. Seats are similar to those in Amtrak passenger trains, Harrington said.

Taking advantage of discounts

Hearing attendees questioned how they would pay fares and take advantage of discounts. Ed Petrie, finance manager for Metro Transit, explained that riders will be able to receive a 10% discount by purchasing value on a Go-To Card or on their Metropasses (or related college transit discount programs). Metropass users will receive a $3 credit for the Northstar fare each time they ride, and will have to add stored value to their cards for the additional fare.

In addition, Harrington said, Northstar riders will have the advantage of free transfers to any other bus or train within two-and-a-half hours of boarding the Northstar train. Transfers from other buses or trains will be worth a $1 credit on Northstar trains.

Skepticism expressed about fares from Big Lake, Elk River

Many of the hearing attendees currently ride the Northstar Commuter Coach and Ramsey Star Express bus service from the corridor to downtown. Several attendees expressed concern that the proposed train fares are too high, compared to bus fares. Currently, Northstar bus riders pay $4.75 each way from Elk River and $3 each way from Coon Rapids. The bus service will be discontinued when train service begins. Ramsey Star Express riders pay $2.75 each direction. That bus service is unaffected by the Northstar rail line, but may not be continued beyond January 2010 when federal funds that support it expire.

“They’re not going to pay the $8 from Big Lake,” said Big Lake resident Rodney Gulczinski. Instead, he said, current bus riders are already planning to carpool or drive alone to the Coon Rapids or Anoka stations and board the train there.

Harrington noted there are between 400 and 600 parking spots at each of the different park-and-ride facilities throughout the corridor, which will also continue serving express bus routes. He estimated that approximately 1,000 current bus riders would move to the Northstar rail line.

Decision expected in May

The public comment period closes April 24. Harrington noted that all the comments will be reviewed and considered prior to creating the final recommended fare structure.

“From my experience at Metro Transit over the last 15 years, we’ve had a lot of public hearings and every time we truly take into consideration every comment that we hear and make modifications that we are able to,” Harrington said.

Final recommendations will be submitted for consideration to the Northstar Corridor Development Authority on May 7, and to the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee on May 13 and the full Council on May 27.