It's a tale of two public transit train lines with uncertain futures. We don't know when the new $2 billion Southwest Light Rail Transit line will open or whether the Northstar commuter rail line will close.
It's a tale of two public transit train lines with uncertain futures. We don't know when the new $2 billion Southwest Light Rail Transit line will open or whether the Northstar commuter rail line will close.
Lawmakers debate Northstar s future after 96% ridership plunge
(FOX 9)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota lawmakers are debating whether to deactivate the Northstar Line commuter rail or heavily subsidize it in the hopes that its customer base rebounds after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ridership on the Minneapolis to Big Lake line has plunged 96 percent during the pandemic as downtown office towers emptied, workers set up home offices, and sporting events were played with few or no fans in attendance. In 2019, the line averaged more than 60,000 riders per month. Over the past year, Northstar has averaged about 2,000 monthly riders.
Lawmakers debate Northstar s future after 96% ridership plunge