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Public comment sought on proposed Northstar Commuter Rail

Service from Big Lake to Minneapolis set to begin in late 2009

When Northstar Commuter Rail begins operation late this year, riders could pay between $3.25 and $8 each way based on how far they travel, according to the proposed fare structure approved for public comment by the Metropolitan Council.

In addition to distance traveled on the line, the proposed fares are based on a number of market-related factors – such as gas and parking prices -- intended to directly compare the experiences of commuting by car with commuting by train.

The 40-mile Northstar Line will travel on existing railroad tracks along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis.

Minnesota's first commuter rail service

"Northstar will provide a fast, convenient, stress-free commuting option in one of the region’s fastest growing and most congested corridors,” said Council Chair Peter Bell.

Northstar will offer primarily rush-hour service between Big Lake and Minneapolis. The downtown Minneapolis station, adjacent to the new Minnesota Twins ballpark on the north side of downtown, is being built to accommodate direct connections between Northstar and Hiawatha light rail. Bus connections will be a short walk to the 5th Street Transit Center.

Specific schedules for Northstar will be finalized this summer in conjunction with testing of train locomotives. Northstar trains will travel at speeds of up to 79 miles per hour, and ride time from Big Lake to Minneapolis is estimated at 45 minutes.

The $317 million Northstar project has been in development for nearly 10 years and is a vital component of the Council’s long-range transportation strategy to address congestion in the northwest metro area. In 2010, its first full year of operation, Northstar will average an estimated 3,500 weekday rides.

"We are excited about the line and we expect strong ridership when service begins later this year,” said Adam Harrington, senior manager of operations planning for Metro Transit.

Several factors figure into fares

Proposed fares are based on the distance riders travel on the line, as well as a number of market-related factors, including gas prices, average contract parking in downtown Minneapolis, federal mileage reimbursement rates, and travel time during periods of congestion.

For example, Metro Transit’s analysis shows commuters average about 20 miles per gallon, which means drivers consume about two gallons of gasoline each direction when driving from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis, at a cost of about $4 each way, and can take 70 minutes or more. Average contract parking rates downtown are $8 per day (daily contract rates range from $2 to $35). Therefore, gas plus parking equals about $16 per day for drivers from Big Lake to downtown.

Cash fare for rail commuters from Big Lake would still be $16 per day, but parking at the station park-and-ride would be free, and commuters could reliably be downtown in about 45 minutes. Commuters could also use discounted fare programs.

Fares were initially prepared for Council consideration in September 2008, when gas prices were near $4 per gallon. The Council directed staff to re-evaluate higher pricing scenarios for potential impact on ridership and fare revenue.

Metro Transit analyzed several fare scenarios

Metro Transit assessed several pricing scenarios and their impact on ridership and revenue, and also how the results compare with other commuter rail operations around the United States. Scenarios evaluated ranged up to $10 for one-way cash fare from Big Lake to Minneapolis. Metro Transit’s current recommendation reflects an increase of 50 cents for the two furthest stations from downtown over what was proposed in 2008. 

Proposed weekday, one-way cash fares to downtown Minneapolis from the five suburban transit stations reflect that analysis in balancing ridership and fare revenue. For customers not traveling downtown, the proposed one-way fare between stations is $3.25. Based on current ridership estimates and proposed fare structure, Northstar will recover about 21 percent of operating costs from fares in 2010 and up to 28 percent in 2011.

Among commuter rail services in operation throughout the United States, Northstar compares to the Seattle Sounder and San Jose ACE systems, Harrington said. The Sounder has 74 one-way track miles, and makes 18 weekday train trips. Fares for the Sounder are between $3.25 and $4.50 for a one-way trip. The ACE system has 90 one-way track miles and operates eight weekday trips. ACE fares are between $3.25 and $11 each way.

Several venues available for public comment

The Council has scheduled three public hearings in April to receive public comment on proposed fares for Northstar:

Wednesday, April 8, noon – 1 p.m.
Minneapolis Central Library Doty Room
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Served by Transit Routes 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 25, 675, 852

Wednesday, April 8, 7 – 8 p.m.
Sherburne County Government Center Board Room
13880 Highway 10 (13880 Business Center Drive), Elk River

Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Anoka County Government Center Board Room (7th floor)
2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka
Served by Transit Routes 766, 805, 850, 851, 852

The comment period lasts until 5 p.m., Friday, April 24.

The public is invited to register in advance to speak at a 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 N. 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).

Once the public input process is complete, staff will review comments and potential adjustments. A formal fare-pricing recommendation will first go to the Northstar Corridor Development Authority for review, and then be brought to the Council for final approval in May.