Council approves contract for Transit Link service in southern Ramsey, Washington counties
Contract is second contract awarded to operate reorganized dial-a-ride service
Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651-602-1357
ST. PAUL—Jan. 13, 2010—The Metropolitan Council today voted to award a five-year contract for Transit Link service in southern Ramsey County and all of Washington County to Midwest Paratransit Services Inc. The new contract will take effect on March 1, 2010, though service may not begin until later in the month. The new contract is part of the restructuring of dial-a-ride services region-wide.
It is the second contract awarded for the new Transit Link service. Midwest Paratransit also received the contract to provide dial-a-ride service for 26 communities in Hennepin County.
“The restructure of dial-a-ride services will provide much greater consistency region-wide,” said Arlene McCarthy, director of transportation services for the Council. “Our ultimate goal is to avoid duplication with regular route transit so all communities have greater access to a transit option, either regular route transit or Transit Link.
Transit Link (dial-a-ride) service is minibus or van service for members of the general public. It is different from the ADA-certified services provided by Metro Mobility, which serves riders who need additional assistance due to physical, cognitive or psychological limitations. These changes do not affect ADA transit service.
The new Transit Link service, which will be phased in throughout the region from February to May 2010, will simplify the dial-a-ride transit system for riders throughout the metro-area. Rather than having multiple providers for one area, the new contracts will be primarily county-based.
In addition, riders will be able to access destinations throughout the region. Today they are limited to a provider’s service area.
In the southern Ramsey/Washington service area, Midwest Paratransit will be the sole vendor providing service. The service area includes all communities in Washington County, as well as the following cities in Ramsey County: Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, North St. Paul, St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township. The Ramsey County communities were combined into this service area at the request of local communities to reflect current service boundaries.
Riders will be able to travel within the service area, as well as anywhere throughout the region. A transfer may be required, depending on the destination.
Transit Link service will be phased in throughout the region. New guidelines and fares took effect in Anoka, Carver, and Scott counties on Jan. 1. Those counties currently operate or contract for their own transit services and will continue to provide dial-a-ride services under the new structure.
The remaining four counties will have their services provided through contracts administered by the Council. No changes will take place in an area until a new contract is in place, at which time vendors will operate under the Transit Link parameters and fare structure, which will be consistent across the metro area.
The new contract in Hennepin County will take effect in February. Service is expected to begin in Dakota County on May 1, though a vendor has not yet been selected for this service.
Once implemented, Transit Link service will be available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rides may be scheduled up to five days in advance by calling 651-602-LINK (5465) between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Fares are based on the distance traveled. For trips less than 10 miles, passengers will pay $2.25 each way. For trips between 10 and 20 miles, the fare will be $4.50 each way. And for trips greater than 20 miles, riders will pay $6.75 each way. Transfers are free, and discounts are available for group trips. ADA-certified riders pay a maximum of $4.50 per direction, regardless of distance.
More than 450,000 riders used dial-a-ride services in the seven-county metro area during 2008. The Council provides about $5 million per year to dial-a-ride programs throughout the region, often augmented by local funding. Currently, nearly 20 different government and non-profit organizations provide the region’s dial-a-ride services. Once the transition is complete, Transit Link services will be provided through five contracts.
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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