Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)

[David Greene]

If you took some person from New Mexico and had them search "David Greene + Southwest Light Rail" it would quickly come together that this entire line is being built for you, specifically. I'm 100% sure that you're a very good person with good intentions, but implying that other people's opinions don't matter (which you have done) because they didn't chit-chat up Jim Alexander for half an hour in October 2011 is ridiculous.

This is unfair, Nick. I have *never* said others' opinions don't matter. In fact I've gone out of my way to state repeatedly that other vewipoints are valid. I do reference meetings and conversations I've had not to name drop but to provide references. The things I say are backed up by conversations and experiences I've had working on the line. It is absolutely appropriate for someone to reference his or her experience in a discussion about important public investments.

I think you are somehow interpreting my support for SWLRT as disdain for you and others. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[Tcmetro]

Metro Council is updating the Transit Markets as a part of Thrive 2040. Transit Markets are the main criteria for designating what type of bus service is placed where. Many parts of the inner-city in Zone 2 are being bumped up to Zone 1, while many parts on the suburban fringe are being bumped down to Zone 4 or Zone 5. The new weighting allows transit service to be focused on where it is more necessary, making better uses of resources.

http://www.metrocouncil.org/Council-Mee ... Areas.aspx

[Tcmetro]

Met Council seeking RFPs for interior bike racks on BRT buses. As some may recall, the interior bike racks on the Red Line were removed because riders had too many difficulties using them.

http://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/24992d8b ... umber.aspx

[mattaudio]

Park and ride usage surges in 2013
http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/250822281.html

[LRV Op Dude]

Metro Transit is having a poster contest for the opening of the Green Line entries due by April 11

[Tcmetro]

Met Council is seeking a Tiger grant as well as CMAQ funds for the Mall of America Station. Capital costs are $20 million, while annual operational savings are nearly $1 million. Project would be complete in 2017.

http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/P ... packet.pdf Page 29

[ECtransplant]

Not sure where to put this, but just had a bus driver on the 6 tell people to exit out the rear door. It made my day a little bit

[kellonathan]

Met Council is seeking a Tiger grant as well as CMAQ funds for the Mall of America Station. Capital costs are $20 million, while annual operational savings are nearly $1 million. Project would be complete in 2017.

http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Government/P ... packet.pdf Page 29

Does the MOA station redesign plan include a plan relocating the station to Lindau Lane?
(Knowing that Lindau Lane grade separation project is almost done, I assume no, but still......)

[VAStationDude]

Nope. This has been discussed quite a bit. If cost and service disruptions were no concern, it would make sense. The 90 degree turn combined with crossing 23rd is slow as a ride on the future Nicollet street car. (Really slow) Properly relocating the station would likely require rebuilding not only MOA but also 28th avenue since 28th sits at a southwest to north east direction south of Lindau.


The current plan will be a big improvement.

[LRV Op Dude]

Nope. This has been discussed quite a bit. If cost and service disruptions were no concern, it would make sense. The 90 degree turn combined with crossing 23rd is slow as a ride on the future Nicollet street car. (Really slow) Properly relocating the station would likely require rebuilding not only MOA but also 28th avenue since 28th sits at a southwest to north east direction south of Lindau.


The current plan will be a big improvement.

This is talked about in this thread

https://forum.streets.mn/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1264

I have a link to the new concept of the MOA station.

[mattaudio]

I'm putting my response here because it's more generalized than the specific MOA station which is the reason for it. But this seems like another case of a lack of strategic planning and finding project synergies. So many projects these days involve pop-up funding, funnymoney, etc and are isolated from a comprehensive analysis of how we can leverage one project to get us closer to another project. At the MOA, planning is underway for this station. But we've also had pop-up projects for things like the skyway over Killebrew and the $30 million (incl $10m DEED money) grade separation of Lindau Lane under the future mall extension.

[twincitizen]

Metro Transit posted something on their Facebook page that I think many of you will find of interest:

We're about to launch the new metrotransit.org! But first, we need a few volunteers to test the new design.

Participants must be willing to complete a variety of testing tasks using their own mobile phones or desktop computers.

More info: http://survey.constantcontact.com/surve ... i/greeting

[LakeCharles]

That link actually doesn't work (not your issue twincit but MetroTransit's) but here is the working link:

right here

Edit: They say: "UPDATE: Due to overwhelming feedback, we've already received enough responses. Participants will be contacted shortly. Thanks for your interest in testing our new website!"

[mamundsen]

Neither link worked for me... bummer. I'd take $50 to test out the new website.

[mulad]

Feedback is being requested on the experimental seat configuration that has been used on routes 6, 12, and 21, where two seats on the right-hand side of the aisle were removed near the rear door.

http://www.metrotransit.org/take-a-seat

[mattaudio]

I've seen it on the 46 a few times. And I like it. It was nice when I was coming home from the airport with a suitcase.

[FISHMANPET]

I've seen it on the 2 as well, but always after the afternoon rush so the bus wasn't that crowded. It would be really helpful in the morning rush when the route is standing room only. And of course the Facebook comments are barely intelligible, but seem to be opposed to the idea.

[MNdible]

Seems like it would have made more sense to remove them on the opposite side of the aisle, given the wing walls flanking the rear door.

[mattaudio]

Could they have center-facing seats to provide more standing room but without removing two seats?

[Tcmetro]

The selection process for the 2017 CMAQ Transit grants is underway. There is about $20 million to go around, while the project requests are much more than that. The rankings are as follows:

High Composite ranking:
- MOA Transit Station
- Lake St/35W Orange Line Station
- W 7th St BRT (B Line)

Medium ranking:
- Shakopee/EP/Minnetonka express bus
- DT Hopkins park and ride ramp

Medium/Low ranking:
- Cedar Grove Red Line Station

http://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meeting ... Selec.aspx

http://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meeting ... oject.aspx

--

EDIT: Some more interesting links from the Transportation Committee meeting agenda:

Quarterly Ridership Report:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/Council-Mee ... rship.aspx

Service Improvement Plan update:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/Council-Mee ... pdate.aspx

MT Website redesign:
http://www.metrocouncil.org/Council-Mee ... esign.aspx