Thoughts and feelings about Northwestern suburbs commute (Minneapolis, Bloomington: transfer, university)

[Scho0745]

Hello everyone

I'm a student at the University of Minnesota trying to do some research about the commuter rail that is going to be running from the Northwestern suburbs to Minneapolis starting next year. I stumbled upon this forum and thought you all could provide some much needed insight as to what the Northstar commuter rail could do to meet commuter expectations.

Commuting in the Twin Cities can be a grueling experience. Do you think that you would consider riding a commuter train? Why or why not?

[golfgal]

Based on the heavy ridership of the Lightrail I think that the commuter train will be well used, especially since the commute from the Northern suburbs is so bad. I know everyone I talk to in the southern suburbs would LOVE for the lightrail to run up Cedar if that helps your research any. I know my husband would take the light rail on days he didn't need his car if that were an option. Right now to get to his office in Bloomington by bus would take 90 minutes with all the transfers, he can drive it in 15 minutes. The lightrail would probably take 20-30 minuts and he would not hesitate to take that.