a serious question (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth: transfer, tax, live)

[HKB]

Originally Posted by golfgal

The funny thing is that of all of our friends that live out in the 'evil' suburbs only a handful of them actually work in Minneapolis. Some people seem to forget that there are jobs outside of Minneapolis. If we moved to Minneapolis our commute would be LONGER then it is living in the suburbs. Most of our friends work in Eagan, Apple Valley, Rosemount and Bloomington. One person we know works in St. Paul and one 'work' in Oakdale but he is in sales and works out of his home most of the time.

This is true for myself and the majority of my neighbors as well. I live in a third ring suburb, and my wife and I both work in second ring suburbs.

For the most part, I agree that people who choose to live in the suburbs don't have a right to complain about their commute if they work in or near downtown. Gas prices are a little more complicated though. If someone bought their home in 2001 for example, I doubt they could have predicted that the average price of gas would increase 150% in the 7 years since then.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

kudos to bussing downtown. every suburbanite I know who works downtown and does it absolutely loves it and wouldnt drive even if they had free parking.

Same here, the people I know that live in the suburbs that work in Minneapolis take the express bus into town, even those that have free parking take the bus because it is easier. I love the general assumptions that suburbanites don't use public transportation. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority just had an article in the paper that their ridership from the Apple Valley transit station is at peak capacity and has been for a long time--which is why they are fighting so hard for the lightrail.

[Simple Living]

The governor has been promising MTC more funding if only they would increase their ridership. Ridership goals have been increased each year - and exceeded each year, yet their promised funding still never comes in. Look for more route cutbacks and another fare increase very soon.

It's ridiculous that the governor would deny funding to something as important as this.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Simple Living

The governor has been promising MTC more funding if only they would increase their ridership. Ridership goals have been increased each year - and exceeded each year, yet their promised funding still never comes in. Look for more route cutbacks and another fare increase very soon.

It's ridiculous that the governor would deny funding to something as important as this.

Yeah, well, you can't raise taxes you know. Costs have increased for everything so now instead of raising taxes a bit we are faced with a 1.9 billion dollar deficit and no funding for very necessary projects, but you can't raise taxes .

[Laggard]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Yeah, well, you can't raise taxes you know. Costs have increased for everything so now instead of raising taxes a bit we are faced with a 1.9 billion dollar deficit and no funding for very necessary projects, but you can't raise taxes .

But you can raise them to pay for a new stadium.

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by Laggard

But you can raise them to pay for a new stadium.

Seriously...

[Simple Living]

Originally Posted by Laggard

But you can raise them to pay for a new stadium.

And this, is exactly what infuriates me. Oh well, one more year in MN and I'm gone.

[RUINER_SR4]

Originally Posted by nick is rulz

kudos to bussing downtown. every suburbanite I know who works downtown and does it absolutely loves it and wouldnt drive even if they had free parking.

Thanks! It's not even a question for me, my employer pays 1/2 my Metro transit pass so it's a complete no-brainer. I had to drive in Wednesday and Thursday because of other commitments and I definately missed riding the bus. Those Southwest Transit busses are ridiculously nice as well and they're usually pretty full whenever I ride.



Brian.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Laggard

But you can raise them to pay for a new stadium.

Priorities you know....

[Simple Living]

I ride the bus or walk everywhere. When I really need a car ride somewhere, I'll give a friend $20 for gas and get personal service. I'd rather pay a friend than a cabbie. I hate cabs.