Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)

[Nick]

I'll unblock iconic for this

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/298599211.html

[xandrex]

Kind of surprised how negative the comments got about such a non story.

But it is a new website's comments so...

[HuskyGrad]

I know this isn't the Twin Cities, but as a former director for the system this hits me hard.
Fatality reported in crash involving two DTA buses in downtown Duluth

[MSPtoMKE]

To celebrate Earth Day, Metro Transit will be demoing 3 different zero-emissions electric buses on Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd. They will run additional trips supplementing the scheduled trips, and will be free of charge.

http://www.metrotransit.org/electric

[grant1simons2]

Just saw an 18 electric bus

[intercomnut]

I rode the electric bus down the mall on Monday. Not having a loud, vibrating engine made much more of a difference than I thought it would. If they can afford it, they should buy electric buses for future aBRT lines. It would really make them feel special.

[Tcmetro]

MVTA released the RFP for the Northern Scott County Transit Analysis and Evaluation, which will look at service in Savage, Shakopee, and Prior Lake to integrate the former Shakopee/PL network and rationalize low-productivity service. The document mentions MVTA concepts to convert Rt. 421 to a fixed-route service, and to rationalize routes 464 and 496. The study will wrap up in December of this year.

http://www.mvta.com/about/procurement/

SW Transit is going to start an "upscale Demand Responsive type local system." It will use two buses which will be available for reservation online, including through a smartphone app. Apparently this app will allow the rider to rate the driver, which I imagine will be similar to the Uber app. (p. 22) SW Transit is also looking at procuring a double decker bus. (p. 36)

http://swtransit.org/wp-content/uploads ... PACKET.pdf

[grant1simons2]

That wasn't what I meant by local service SW Tansit... That's not how buses work.

[FISHMANPET]

Presented without comment:
http://www.metrotransit.org/help-name-t ... sit-mascot

Help name the new Metro Transit mascot

Metro Transit’s ‘T’ logo is coming to life as the agency’s new mascot – and you can help us name it!
Send us your suggested name on Twitter or Facebook or drop us an e-mail through the ‘Contact Us’ page.
Suggested names should be gender-neutral and reflect the mascot's role as a friendly, helpful and enthusiastic transit user.
The new mascot is expected to begin making appearances at community events this spring.

Guys, they named him.

Skip Traffic.

[MNdible]

Based on the shoes, I think it's a her.

[FISHMANPET]

I was actually thinking the same thing.

[PhilmerPhil]

"Hey kids!"

[Mikey]

Do you like vio... busses?!?

[mulad]

Metro Transit posted about 45 photos of the New Flyer electric bus to their Flickr feed. Here are a few:


New Flyer Electric Demo Bus - Exterior by metrotransitmn, on Flickr


New Flyer Electric Demo Bus - Charging Demo by metrotransitmn, on Flickr


New Flyer Electric Demo Bus - Press Tour by metrotransitmn, on Flickr


New Flyer Electric Demo Bus - Route 18 by metrotransitmn, on Flickr

[twincitizen]

Plymouth: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/3 ... ion=/local

[MSPtoMKE]

Metro Transit posted about 45 photos of the New Flyer electric bus to their Flickr feed. Here are a few:

New Flyer Electric Demo Bus - Route 18 by metrotransitmn, on Flickr

You can see half of my head in the above photo...

[xandrex]

Interesting editorial about LRT in the Twin Cities, 10 years on: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/comm ... 51691.html

[Tiller]

Bus explosion; still safer than cars.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/scary-video-sh ... d=30966741

[mattaudio]

Of course it's a Bolt Bus...

[intercomnut]

Metro Transit, MVTA, and Maple Grove Transit routes are doing their quarterly adjustments. Some interesting news in the Central Corridor:

• *Outside of Mon-Sat. 10am-5pm, the 16 is being cut to half-hourly service
  *The 94 is having its frequency reduced slightly

Here's the full list of changes:
http://www.metrotransit.org/these-route ... nge-june-6