TRANSPORTATION
The Twin Cities has a regional development system that encourages low-density growth patterns and an almost complete reliance on automobiles for getting around. In turn, the regional system is based on policies and funding mechanisms that limit choices and hide or shift costs. The solution is a return to market fundamentals including expanding choices in land use and transportation and pricing transportation according to the full costs imposed by it on the region.
MCEA supports a balances multimodal system of transportation and secure and sufficient funding for the transit so that in the Twin Cities a regional transitways network can be built and the capacity of the regional transit system can be doubled.
MCEA supports a balances multimodal system of transportation and secure and sufficient funding for the transit so that in the Twin Cities a regional transitways network can be built and the capacity of the regional transit system can be doubled.
Roads & Bridges
Minnesota has spent billions of dollars over the years building new bridges and highways to the point where we have more roads per capita than any other state in the nation. That construction has come at a cost, however. Pouring money into new construction has not left enough money to maintain our infrastructure. More than 300 bridges on interstate, U.S. or state highways are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
The passage of the 2008 Transportation bill over the governor's veto, with the help of MCEA, increased the gasoline tax five cents per gallon. That money should be used to maintain our current roads and bridges first.
The passage of the 2008 Transportation bill over the governor's veto, with the help of MCEA, increased the gasoline tax five cents per gallon. That money should be used to maintain our current roads and bridges first.
Transit Planning
Constructing a well-designed light rail system in the Twin Cities is critical in helping reduce air pollution, sprawl, and traffic congestion. In addition, the housing and business development that occurs around light rail stops always is more than a billion dollars.
For those reasons, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has been a strong advocate for the 11-mile Central Corridor line which will connect downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis. It will also link to the Hiawatha line and the Northstar Commuter Rail line that runs from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake.
The $900 million Central Corridor line will run primarily down University Avenue before turning onto Washington Avenue for a run through the University of Minnesota campus. It is in preliminary engineering and awaiting final approval from the federal government, which would then pay half of the construction costs.
For those reasons, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has been a strong advocate for the 11-mile Central Corridor line which will connect downtown St. Paul to downtown Minneapolis. It will also link to the Hiawatha line and the Northstar Commuter Rail line that runs from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake.
The $900 million Central Corridor line will run primarily down University Avenue before turning onto Washington Avenue for a run through the University of Minnesota campus. It is in preliminary engineering and awaiting final approval from the federal government, which would then pay half of the construction costs.
Transit Funding
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has lobbied hard at all levels of government for adequate funding for transit funding in the Twin Cities and other cities throughout Minnesota. Without adequate funding, fares rapidly increase and bus lines are cut, as we have witnessed repeatedly in the Twin Cities this decade.
Metro Transit runs the buses, light rail, and late this year, the commuter rail lines in the Twin Cities. It is a overseen by the Metropolitan Council, through which government money flows. About 35 percent of Metro Transit's operating costs are paid by bus and light rail fares. About 60 percent is paid for by state tax dollars and the remainder comes from federal dollars, advertising and other earned revenue. Metro Transit's 2009 budget expects nearly $130 million to operate its transit system.
Metro Transit fares for local buses and the light rail are $1.75 and $2.25 during the peak fare hours. The express bus fares are $2.25 and $3 during the peak fare hours. Especially for the peak hours, Metro Transit's rates are higher than most peer cities, according to research by Transit for Livable Communities.
After raising fares in October 2008, the Metropolitan Council is once again considering raising fares and cutting bus service this spring to cut a $60 million budget deficit. In early March, MCEA, Transit for Livable Communities and Fresh Energy helped turn out people and the media for two legislative hearings on the fare increases and finding other sources of revenue.
Some of that state money comes from the motor vehicle sales tax following a 2006 constitutional amendment that dedicates at least 40 percent of the revenues from that tax to transit and the rest to roads. MCEA was a key player in convincing he public to pass the amendment. When it is fully phased in, that should bring about $125 million a year. However, due to slumping vehicle sales, it's expected to only bring $112.5 million in fiscal year 2009.
Metro Transit runs the buses, light rail, and late this year, the commuter rail lines in the Twin Cities. It is a overseen by the Metropolitan Council, through which government money flows. About 35 percent of Metro Transit's operating costs are paid by bus and light rail fares. About 60 percent is paid for by state tax dollars and the remainder comes from federal dollars, advertising and other earned revenue. Metro Transit's 2009 budget expects nearly $130 million to operate its transit system.
Metro Transit fares for local buses and the light rail are $1.75 and $2.25 during the peak fare hours. The express bus fares are $2.25 and $3 during the peak fare hours. Especially for the peak hours, Metro Transit's rates are higher than most peer cities, according to research by Transit for Livable Communities.
After raising fares in October 2008, the Metropolitan Council is once again considering raising fares and cutting bus service this spring to cut a $60 million budget deficit. In early March, MCEA, Transit for Livable Communities and Fresh Energy helped turn out people and the media for two legislative hearings on the fare increases and finding other sources of revenue.
Some of that state money comes from the motor vehicle sales tax following a 2006 constitutional amendment that dedicates at least 40 percent of the revenues from that tax to transit and the rest to roads. MCEA was a key player in convincing he public to pass the amendment. When it is fully phased in, that should bring about $125 million a year. However, due to slumping vehicle sales, it's expected to only bring $112.5 million in fiscal year 2009.
