(Northstar - MN) Ramsey Station Opening Nov. 14

[jebr]

From Metro Transit:

RAMSEY, Minn. – (Oct. 29) –Northstar commuter trains will begin service to the newly constructed Ramsey Station on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Twelve Northstar trips will serve the station each weekday during rush hours. The station will also be served by six trips on Saturdays and Sundays as well as specially-scheduled trains for large downtown events such as Vikings games and Holidazzle. The one-way weekday fare between Ramsey Station and Minneapolis is $3.50 (see other fares).

"Ramsey Station will provide hundreds of daily connections for commuters and travelers – including veterans accessing the new Northwest Metro VA Outpatient Clinic in Ramsey," said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.

Located between Elk River and Anoka stations, Ramsey Station is the seventh along the line and the only new station added since Northstar began service on Nov. 16, 2009. A skyway from the adjacent Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility connects the station to parking spaces for Northstar customers.

In celebration of the station opening and the line's third anniversary, the public is invited to enjoy free rides on all Northstar trains from all stations on Nov. 14 and 15. Metro Transit staff will be available at all stations to assist first-time customers and will also provide transfers to buses and the Hiawatha light-rail line at Target Field Station.

Station funding was provided by the City of Ramsey, Anoka County Regional Rail Authority, the Counties Transit Improvement Board, State of Minnesota and Metropolitan Council. Sheehy Construction is the general contractor. The project will be completed on schedule and well within its $13.2 million budget.

Northstar is operated by Metro Transit, a service of the Metropolitan Council. Customers boarded Metro Transit buses and trains 81 million times last year.

And the current timetable (still only 6 RT weekdays/3 RT weekends...)

I'm disappointed that they're putting the fare at $3.50, when they had bus service at the $3 price mark for a year or two already. Some people may not make the switch over to train service due to that. It's especially difficult since the fare will require an upcharge from every monthly pass out there, where the $3 fare is fully covered by many programs by colleges, universities, and employers.

I still want to see the Foley Blvd. station constructed. There's 3,200 parking spaces there and bus service, meaning that there are many people already using it (and a potential market for the train.) It could also reduce the per-rider subsidy, which could help keep the conservative rhetoric at lower subsidy prices, anyways.

 

[fairviewroad]

Really? $3.50 sounds pretty cheap for a commuter rail ticket.

 

[jebr]

Really? $3.50 sounds pretty cheap for a commuter rail ticket.

Perhaps, but there's no monthly option, and current service with a direct (non-stop) commuter coach bus was only $3. It's certainly cheap, but without the monthly option it's hard to see people using it as much on weekends or for non-necessary trips. A monthly pass allows these to happen at no additional cost, and makes the service look more used.

I'll see how many people are taking the train on Saturday when I'm doing a NB trip at 11:43 from Fridley (and then SB at 17:13 from Big Lake.) These trips are against the normal flow, so it may be a very quiet trip...we'll see.

 

[jphjaxfl]

The Northstar should be extended to St. Cloud to get some of those St. Cloud State students who would likely be frequent riders.

 

[jebr]

The Northstar should be extended to St. Cloud to get some of those St. Cloud State students who would likely be frequent riders.

Most definitely. The current solution is "meh" at best...there's a coach bus that meets select trains and goes to St. Cloud. It's not bad on weekdays, but on weekends it's essentially a "day trip to the Twin Cities" bus...meets the first SB train and the last NB train, with no other service.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

The Northstar should be extended to St. Cloud to get some of those St. Cloud State students who would likely be frequent riders.

Most definitely. The current solution is "meh" at best...there's a coach bus that meets select trains and goes to St. Cloud. It's not bad on weekdays, but on weekends it's essentially a "day trip to the Twin Cities" bus...meets the first SB train and the last NB train, with no other service.

They should add a bus that goes all the way to the Twin Cities. Would be a lot easier than another train.

 

[Eric S]

The Northstar should be extended to St. Cloud to get some of those St. Cloud State students who would likely be frequent riders.

Most definitely. The current solution is "meh" at best...there's a coach bus that meets select trains and goes to St. Cloud. It's not bad on weekdays, but on weekends it's essentially a "day trip to the Twin Cities" bus...meets the first SB train and the last NB train, with no other service.

They should add a bus that goes all the way to the Twin Cities. Would be a lot easier than another train.

Or have buses meet each train. To sort of build up ridership until the train service can be extended.

 

[jebr]

Here's the bus service I was referencing from St. Cloud to Big Lake (the current one in Ramsey will be eliminated when the station opens):