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In this Issue
When local, regional and state leaders first began planning
the METRO Green Line, the primary goal from
a transit perspective was to serve as many riders as possible, not just those
in the immediate area within 1/2 mile of the line that ridership projections reflect. Similar to
planning of the Hiawatha Line (METRO Blue Line) nearly two decades ago and current planning of future
lines, METRO Green Line developed a transit corridor service plan to form more
bus connections to the light rail stations, enabling seamless transfers for riders.
One unique aspect to our service planning work on the METRO Green Line was an outreach
and engagement strategy that involved many neighbors and business owners. Using
a trusted advocate model, partnering with local community and neighborhood
groups to build genuine relationships with riders and neighbors, we were able
to build a base of invaluable information that shaped delivery of future bus
service to the METRO Green Line.
As a direct result of our public engagement work, we shifted
emphasis to the improvement of connecting bus service. Since the opening of the
METRO Green Line, connecting bus service operates more frequently, begins
earlier and ends later, seven days a week. Metro Transit also added two new
routes – the 83 serving points along Lexington Avenue and the 30 connecting to
Westgate and Raymond Stations – as well as extended service on Route 6, Route 63 to
light rail stations along the line, and a restructured and extended Route 65 to
Grand Ave. Additionally, the already robust crosstown network of routes along
METRO Green Line was further improved by the introduction of our
region’s first Arterial BRT line, the A Line. The A Line serves St. Paul and
three neighboring cities, and connects to METRO Blue Line at the 46th
Street Station and METRO Green Line at Snelling Station. The A Line has been
far surpassing ridership goals.
METRO Green Line’s ridership continues to surpass our goals
here at the Council. In July 2016 alone the line carried nearly 1 million
riders and has provided 400,000 more rides in 2016 than by this date in 2015
(7.1 million compared to 6.7 million). One of the keys to METRO Green Line’s
success has been crosstown bus connections that give more of our customers
access to this great transit investment. The design and implementation of these
connections and of the METRO Green Line would not be so successful without the
investment of time and insight by the public, shared through the trusted
advocate process.
 Metro Transit saw its highest single-day ridership in recent memory when fairgoers mixed with commuters and sports fans across the region.
Nearly 370,000 rides were taken systemwide on Thursday, Sept. 1, as the Twins, Vikings, Gophers and Saints each hosted home games, and service was provided to the Minnesota State Fair.
“Throughout the 2016 State Fair, Minnesotans made record use of the park-and-ride stations across the Twin Cities,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This strong ridership is another indicator that when Minnesotans have access to a robust transit system, they use it.”
With more than 117,000 rides on the METRO Blue and Green lines, a single-day light rail ridership record was also set on Sept. 1. The Blue Line had its busiest day ever, with nearly 59,000 rides.
The previous single-day light rail ridership record was set on Sept. 3, 2015, when there were nearly 101,000 rides.
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Riverview Corridor Policy
Advisory Committee – Sept. 8, I attended the Riverview
Corridor Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) as the Met Council appointed
representative. There is currently a corridor study underway
along the Riverview Corridor in St. Paul to evaluate if enhanced transit investments
are possible in the area. This process has been underway for several years now
and all options are currently being studied. As the Council representative on
the PAC, I attend monthly meetings held at Union Depot where we receive updates
on the study, are presented transit mode and route options and learn how best
to serve the growing ridership base we have along the West 7th corridor
in St. Paul. These PAC meetings are open to the public and I encourage you to
attend if you would like to learn more about the study and possible future
transit along the corridor. Please
visit the Riverview Corridor website for additional information.
Indianapolis Chamber Delegation
– On Sept. 26, I spoke to the Indianapolis Chamber delegation visiting on a
study trip centered on best practices and lessons learned of Minnesota business
policies. My comments focused on fiscal disparities in the Twin Cities and how
the Council works to accomplish the goals the governor and the state has set
out to reduce disparities across the region. I was joined on the panel by St.
Paul Chamber CEO Matt Kramer and Urban Land Institute Executive Director Caren Dewar.
Rail~volution – On
Oct. 9-12, I will be one of the many Council Members representing the Council
and the Twin Cities region at the annual Rail~volution conference taking place
in San Francisco. Every year, transportation professionals gather for a week-long
conference to share best practices and cross-pollinate ideas. I greatly enjoy
attending on behalf of the Council as it is a great opportunity to learn from
other regions but to also get to share the innovative projects and programs we
are implementing here in Minnesota. Visit Rail~voltion’s
website to learn more about the conference and some of the topics that will be
discussed at this year’s event. |
