The Met Council has released its so-called "Sector 5" bus re-routing plan, part of a gradual redesign of metro-area bus service.
There are many proposed changes - some routes cut, others added, many changed, and new 35W transit stations (not hubs!) - see articles in Southwest Journal and Skyway News: http://www.swjournal.com/display/inn_opinion/opinion02.txt (Note: this is mis-sorted in our opinion section. It's a news story.) http://www.skywaynews.net/display/inn_news/news08.txt Also, the below e-mail from John Dillery of Metro Transit explains the process and provides links to Met Council's website: Dear Stakeholder, We are pleased to send you this update on our Sector 5 /Central South Metro Concept Plan. Metro Transit began this planning process in January 2002 with several meetings to review our current service in the Central South Metro area, and to get input on what transit objectives you would like to pursue. See http://www.metrocouncil.org/transit/sec5/happened.htm Since then we have developed a concept plan and are asking for review and comment. Plan Development Input from you was included in the comprehensive evaluation of existing service, and the planning that lead to the proposed concept plan. Plan Objectives include: o Optimize effectiveness and efficiency to improve productivity o Provide faster and more frequent service to major destinations and along major corridors such Lake Street, W 7th St, I-35W, I-494 and Hiawatha o Reallocate transit resources to better fit local development and transit markets o Improve connections between routes and neighborhoods o Integrate plans for new facilities and services such as Hiawatha LRT, I-494 Busway and I-35W stations Planning process, Existing Conditions report and the Sector 5 Central-South Metro Concept Plan can be viewed at http://www.metrocouncil.org/transit/sec5/central-so_plan.htm Comment on the plan The concept plan is now ready for public review and comment. Six public meetings are scheduled between January 28th and February 4th, 2003. http://www.metrocouncil.org/transit/sec5/public_meetings.htm Comments will be received for consideration between now and February 14th, 2003 via: 1. Written: Metro Transit, Service Development, 560 Sixth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411 2. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3. Fax: 612-349-7675 After January 10th 4. On-line comment card www.metrotransit.org 5. Comment cards available on Metro Transit and BE Line buses, Metro Transit stores or from the Metropolitan Council Data Center (651-602-1140). 6. Public testimony or written comments received at the public meetings. Next Steps 1. After February 14th, 2003, all comments will be reviewed. The concept plan will be modified to accommodate comments as appropriate within the budget. 2. The modified concept plan will go before the Metropolitan Council for approval. 3. Implementation of the plan will begin in September 2003, and be fully implemented by the end of 2004. Thank you for your participation and support in the planning process! (posted by David Brauer, editor, Skyway News & Southwest Journal, and a Kingfield resident) _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
