Would you consider MSP area light rail a success? (Minneapolis: sales, 2015)

[goillini8]

I grew up in MN, but left in 1991. Light rail didn't exist when I lived there, and I've never ridden it on my trips back. It's not a huge system, but it looks like it has some well-thought out stops. Is it used a decent amount? I appreciate when a city has good transit options. I know that few, if any, transit systems make enough money to cover costs and are subsidized. Is subsidization worth it in MSP's case?

My parents had a house in St. Cloud for years after I left and you could take the train from Becker (edit: Big Lake) into the city. Can you connect to light rail from that train (assuming it still runs)?

[Rhody2Mn]

I think it's decent. It's not the fastest way to move around the overall region but it's a fine option for local destinations within the core cities. I think there are far too many stops, particularly along the Green Line on University Ave, that, coupled with the fact that the line has to stop for traffic lights, makes the ride between Minneapolis and St. Paul excruciatingly slow. The Blue Line is also slowed by traffic lights in downtown Minneapolis, but thankfully that is not the case once it leaves the downtown core and travels to the Mall of America.

Both the Blue and Green Lines currently terminate at Target Field Station (although they will be expanded in coming years to Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie respectively). From Target Field Station, you can take the Northstar Commuter Rail to Big Lake, but officials are trying to expand it to St. Cloud (which to me would make a lot more sense and attract more riders since the current route is far from a success story).

People say light-rail is well-used at rush hour, and I can't validate that since I don't take it during commuting times, but I will say that when I've used the trains at off-peak and weekend hours the cars are pretty empty overall (unless there is a large event like a Twins or Vikings game).

Overall, I don't think light rail is worth its excessive cost.

[Ursicinus]

I like it. It's not as cramped as the bus, and depending where you're going, it can be a little quicker. As mentioned though, it DOES have to stop for traffic lights, which is ridiculous. The trains can get thrown out of wack because some ******* decided to run a red light and the conductor has to slam on the brakes. Or, that other special species of ******* who decides he's important enough to creep through a yellow light and park in the intersection as it turns red.... except on the train tracks.

Anyway, overall it's no worse than taking a bus, but if it were tweaked a little, it could end up being significantly faster and more worthwhile.

[Thedosius]

Yes, it is a success:


There are more than 100 bus lines and 2 light rail lines, but those 2 light rail lines account for over a quarter of ridership.


https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-t...illion-in-2015


However, the Northstar Commuter line has pretty consistently been a dud.

[Grizzly Addams]

It's a failure. No one uses it except for events.

[Citykid3785]

I think where it holds the most value is for out of Towner's. I love traveling to other cities that make it easy on foreigners. If I traveled to Minneapolis on business, to think that I could go from the airport, to DT, to the mall, to St. Paul all by light rail is pretty awesome.

I think many people incorrectly just success by if ticket sales cover operating costs. But I think that's silly, as that's not the case with most roads either.

What amazes me are the city buses. Every time I take one of the MVTA buses, I'm amazed at how clean it is. I swear I've never been on a bus that feels more than a year old. Then you free Wi-Fi, and you never have to stand.

[Minntoaz]

Meh. It's better than most cities but could have been better in many ways. I wish you it were more like the one in Phoenix which is faster and has security guards on some trains and just overall has less awkward seating.

[MichelleLC]

No. I recently moved here from the NYC suburbs. Rail system is what I
Miss the most. The south west suburbs are entirely cut off from the system. That
Limits my interest in traveling into the city.

[David A Stone]

YES !
A success !

[PDF]

Originally Posted by MichelleLC

No. I recently moved here from the NYC suburbs. Rail system is what I
Miss the most. The south west suburbs are entirely cut off from the system. That
Limits my interest in traveling into the city.

But within the city I would say it's a success. Light rail isn't really designed to go into the suburbs in any city.