Josh Kroll wrote:
How much do these systems serve transit within the suburban community vs from suburb to downtown?
Some do and some don't. Look at MVTA vs. Maple Grove, for instance. Maple Grove does have a dial-a-ride system, however. Southwest also runs some circulators for shopping, I think.
Also, there are setups like Anoka Traveler, which I think is partially funded by the Council as a 'regional route' but is operated independentaly from Metro Transit. (And are also being cut this year if the cuts pass -- look at the 805/818/831. The 805 runs near my house, its useful if I can't drive to the park and ride but the connections at northtown aren't tight enough on the ride home and makes the ride take forever)
Do any of these suburban systems go to other large transit points like Southdale or Mall of America?
I'm pretty sure MVTA does go to MoA. I'm not so sure as to how Southwest or the other providers work out. Some of them have reverse commute services, too.
Is there any reciprocity between these system and Metro Transit (could you transfer buses between the various systems)?
Yes, I think this is a requirement of opt-out. They can ask for additional fare, but I think only if they are leaving the transit service area, like the 888 route asks for extra money to get to Elk River.
Will Northstar be part of Metro Transit, or will they be separate?
Last time I talked to them it sounded like they would be considered an opt-out system and use the metro fare structure within the service area. Fares would of course be more expensive to Elk River and beyond was my understanding. The opt-out revenues from taxes would help pay for the system -- but my guess is that helps cover the 'state' share of operating costs. Operations costs past federal dollars and farebox revenues were proposed in 2004 by the administration to be split 50/50 between the state and local property taxpayers. State costs were estimated at the time to be within 3 to 5 million a year. The trains themselves will be operated by BNSF.
If separate is there a discounted monthly pass that would encourage getting both passes?
Most likely what will happen is either people will get stored value cards or a monthly card that would cover the 'base fare' and perhaps some special cards for Northstar extended fares. I would be very surprised if we had incompatible fare systems because of the grief and expense Metro Transit is going through to upgrade to a new fare system (contactless smart cards instead of magnetic stripe readers). Opt-out systems are also going to be using this fare system, as far as I know. This change will make bus fare collection much faster, too.
-- Scott Dier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> KC0OBS http://www.ringworld.org/
Coon Rapids, MN
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