Public support strong to extend Northstar Commuter Rail to St. Cloud

Results from a recent online survey administered to Northstar Commuter Rail customers and the general public found that 79 percent of respondents support government funding to extend rail service to St. Cloud, Minn..

"We are as committed
as ever to continuing the Northstar line to St. Cloud, and recent surveys show
the public is still right there with us," said Sherburne County Commissioner
Felix Schmiesing, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority’s extension
efforts. "People want improved transit options to the St. Cloud area and the
extension of Northstar Commuter Rail service is the smartest way to make that
happen."

The online survey
results, as well as a survey provided to riders of the Northstar Link commuter
bus between Big Lake and St. Cloud, indicate that people consider Northstar a
safe and convenient transportation option. Specifically:

• Respondents most
strongly agreed with the statements "I feel safe while riding Northstar trains"
and "Northstar station and train amenities meet my needs."

• Most respondents
also agreed that Northstar is more convenient than driving and an affordable
transportation option.

• Northstar Link
commuter bus riders named affordable cost and low stress as their key
motivations to ride.

"Our surveys reinforce
that Northstar is meeting the needs of people who live and work in the north
metro," said Dan Erhart, Anoka County Commissioner and NCDA chair. "In its
first six months, Northstar has experienced much success from adding service to
Minnesota Twins games and other efforts to respond to public input about how we
can make customers’ trips more enjoyable. Northstar truly is connecting people
to their destinations in a fast, convenient and safe manner."

Currently, Metro Transit
operates Northstar trains between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake. Northstar
Link, operated by St. Cloud Metro Bus, provides commuter coach service between
the Northstar Commuter Rail station in Big Lake and St. Cloud. Completing train
service to St. Cloud, as was originally planned, is currently the NCDA’s top
priority.

The online, unscientific
survey was conducted this spring by the NCDA and was completed by more than
1,700 Northstar riders and residents who live in the Northstar Corridor and
surrounding areas St. Cloud Metro Bus conducted a second survey of Northstar
Link.