3A, Metropolitan Council Rep John Doan

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The Council and its transportation partners are planning a network of bus and rail transit - ways in heavily traveled regional corridors. The Twin Cities region relies less on government subsidies to operate transit than most peer U.S. regions Region is leader in revenues from fares The Twin Cities region relies less on government subsidies to operate transit than most peer U.S. metro areas. A survey of 11 peer metro areas showed that in 2009, the transit system in the Twin Cities area ranked third in reliance on fare revenue to fund operations. The percent of operating costs covered by fares in this region is 28.6 %; the peer average is 23.1%. Overall, transit funding in the Twin Cities area is significantly lower than in peer regions, though it has increased in recent years. The Twin Cities spends $145 per capita, compared with a peer average of $168. Expanding the transitway network The Metropolitan Council, in partnership with the county regional rail authorities, other transit providers and the Counties Transit Improvement Board, is planning a network of bus and rail "transitways "in heavily traveled corridors. Already in operation are Hiawatha Light Rail, Northstar Commuter Rail, and the high - occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in the 1 -394 and 1 -35W corridors. Construction of light rail in the Central Corridor between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, running largely along University Avenue, began in 2010. Opening of the line is anticipated in late 2014. Preliminary engineering on a light -rail line in the Southwest Corridor between downtown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie is likely to begin in 2011. Implementation of bus rapid transit (BRT) is under way on two corridors — Cedar Avenue in Dakota County and 1-35W south of Minneapolis. Service is expected to open in late 2012. Analyses of alternative routes and modes are under way on several other corridors, including Bottineau Boulevard, the Rush Line, Red Rock and the Gateway Corridor. Transit helps ease roadway congestion Without transit, congestion on the region's roadways would be much worse. For example, 40% of all down- town Minneapolis workers use transit. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, there are more than 250 congested lane -miles in the seven - county metro area. Traffic congestion increases stress, decreases productivity, robs people of family time and hurts the regional economy. Congestion results in higher cost of goods and services, a shrinking customer and employee base, and tardy and stressed employees. For more information • Information about transportation options is available at www.metrocouncil.org • Related fact sheets: Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, Metro Transit Rideshare, Hiawatha LRT, Transportation Planning. Metropolitan Council • 390 Robert Street North • Saint Paul, MN 55101 651.602.1000 * TTY 651.291.0904 = Data Center 651.602.1140 E -mail: datacenter @metc.state.mn.us • www.metrocouncil.org Pub. 14 -11 -014 February 2011