Mike Jensvold suggestion that some of the middle stations along the light rail lines are too far for many that live nearby to walk to is right on target. Within the NENA neighborhood, I have made something of a pest of myself for some time advocating a true circulator bus, one that would make a circular transit through our neighborhood starting at the 50th Street station and linking our four neighborhoods, Minnehaha, Keewaydin, Winona and Morris Park before terminating at the VA light rail station. Such a route could be designed to come within four blocks of over 80% of the 14,000 people who live in our geographic cul-de-sac, and make light rail readily accessible as well as provide a service within the community of unquestionable value. As it stands even though our area is immediately served by light rail, less than 20% is within a half mile walking radius. Unfortunately the transit authority is being starved for cash. Even if it weren�t, I fear our transit planners are locked into linear thinking. When approached on circulator bus routes they think of E-W lines running into St. Paul and stretching West to pick up riders on the other side of 35W.
Such a circulator link, would enable thousands of households to consider foregoing a second automobile. The resultant personal and environmental savings would be significant. The potential increase in light rail ridership from the NENA neighborhood would be significant. The ability of people living within our near idyllic neighborhood would increase as mothers with children, the elderly and others would have easier access to the many amenities we enjoy within the neighborhood. Earl Netwal Near the heart of NENA a bit over a � mile from the 50thSt Light rail station. REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
