(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Met Council announced the likelihood that the Northstar Commuter Rail will transition from trains to buses.
Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger issued a joint statement saying “MnDOT’s recent Twin Cities – St. Cloud-Fargo/Moorhead Corridor study makes it clear we can provide more cost-effective transit service in the corridor currently being served by Northstar Commuter Rail. As the world and consumer demand changes, we must be willing to be flexible and innovative to offer better service while saving dollars. We have jointly started the process to explore transitioning to bus service in this corridor. That process includes working with our federal partners and our rail partners at BNSF Railway, who we have appreciated as a critical partner. In the coming months, we will have more information, including timeline information and projected future savings. For Minnesotans who currently utilize this service, we are committed to working with you to ensure you have access to high-quality transportation in this corridor.”
The Northstar stops in St. Cloud already takes riders by bus to the rail terminus in Big Lake. There was talk before the COVID-19 pandemic of extending rail service to St. Cloud. In 2019, the Northstar served over 767,000 passengers annually, but ridership in the last several years has tanked to just over 50,000.
House Transportation Finance and Policy Chair Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville) issued the following statement in response to MnDOT and the Met Council’s sudden announcement exploring a transition from Northstar commuter rail to bus service:
“It’s ironic that MnDOT and the Met Council suddenly scramble to take action on the same day we are advancing legislation to terminate Northstar operations. This announcement-made with almost zero notice-only confirms that Northstar’s financial losses and declining ridership can no longer be ignored.”
“Northstar has been an over $320 million failed experiment, costing taxpayers $11 million annually despite near-zero ridership. My bill and today’s MnDOT and Met Council announcement ensure that Minnesota formally requests federal approval to shut it down so we can stop wasting money and focus on real transportation solutions. The question will be, how soon can this be done?”
Koznick’s bill, which formally begins to end Northstar operations, is set to move from the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee to the General Register for a floor vote.
“Instead of waiting until their hand was forced, MnDOT and the Met Council should have taken proactive steps years ago. This bill forces them to do what’s right for taxpayers and finally put an end to 18 years of wasteful spending. I’m glad they finally seem to agree that Northstar rail is not viable or feasible!”
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