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Greetings,
Thank you for registering to win tickets for
the inaugural ride on Northstar. We want to keep you up-to-date
on all that's happening with the Northstar Line as it prepares
to begin service on November 16. Below is a supporter update
that was emailed out earlier this week. It is our hope that you
will find the information helpful in learning more about
Minnesota's first commuter rail service.
Thanks again
for your interest in the Northstar Line and for signing up to
win tickets. Ticket recipients will be randomly selected during
the week of Oct. 12 and winners will be given information on how
to claim their tickets. We look forward to riding the line with
you in November!
Minnesota's new star - Northstar Commuter Rail -
has connections. And, so will you. When Northstar Commuter Rail
begins regular commuter service on Monday, Nov. 16, it will be
part of a growing transit network that extends across the
region.
Northstar operations will be managed by Metro
Transit. That means the Northstar Line will connect with other
regional services, making your commute easy and affordable. The
Northstar Corridor Development Authority also is collaborating
with St. Cloud Metro Bus to provide connecting commuter coach
service between Big Lake and St. Cloud.
Here are just a
few of Northstar's route connections:
- Suburban bus routes currently
serving areas along the Northstar Corridor will be adjusted to
work in conjunction with commuter rail service. Some
neighborhoods will acquire new bus service while other route
schedules will be adjusted or replaced by Northstar
trains.
- The Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line
provides more frequent service than commuter rail and is a free
transfer for Northstar passengers. Hiawatha has stops in
downtown and south Minneapolis, as well as at the VA Medical
Center, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Mall of
America. Access to Hiawatha LRT trains is a quick escalator ride
up from Northstar's platform at Target Field Station in
Minneapolis.
- The Downtown Transit Center at
the 5th Street Garage is within walking distance from Target
Field Station. Northstar passengers receive a free transfer to
any weekday Metro Transit bus route, and a shuttle bus will meet
each weekday train to take customers to the south end of
downtown Minneapolis.
You're not limited to vehicle
connections. The downtown Minneapolis skyway system is within
walking distance. Or, bring your bike on the train and take
advantage of the growing bike path network downtown.
- Northstar Link will
transport riders between a park-and-ride lot at Highway 10 and
Lincoln Avenue in St. Cloud and Northstar's Big Lake Station.
The commuter coach will meet every train and introductory fares
on the commuter coach will be $1 per trip. Transfers do not
apply between the Northstar Link and the train. One of the bus
trips to St. Cloud stops at St. Cloud State University and
downtown St. Cloud.
Exploring the Northstar Corridor: Downtown
Minneapolis
Target Field Station, located in
downtown Minneapolis and adjacent to the new Twins' Ballpark,
provides connections to the Hiawatha light rail line and is the
proposed hub for other transit lines into the
metro area. The station is conveniently situated near the
downtown business district, distinct restaurants, theaters,
Nicollet Mall shopping and other destinations. Visit the City of
Minneapolis or the Minneapolis Downtown Council for more
information.
Sincerely,
Dan Erhart
NCDA
Chair
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