09/02/2008 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Transit Improvement Strategies The regional transit goal for the Twin Cities metropolitan area is to double ridership by 2030. Transit needs and strategies for the metropolitan area as a whole were identified in the Metropolitan Council's 2030 Regional Development Framework (2004) and Transportation Policy P /an (2004). The Council proposes three key transit strategies: 1. Respond to various future transit needs in the region's different transit markets. 2. Improve and expand transit passenger and support facilities. 3. Promote higher density initiatives along dedicated right -of -way transit corridors. The first strategy is essentially to identify unmet transit needs and develop additional services to meet these needs. The second strategy is to invest in transit facilities to improve transit performance and reduce travel time. The third strategy is to encourage transit supportive development in order to increase the desirability and effectiveness of transit. Improved Service Fixed Route Service Fixed route service in the City of Lino Lakes is provided by Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council. The level of service provided by these agencies depends upon the overall level of funding available to the regional transit system. The City will continue to consult with Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council to review transit service opportunities in the City. Specific ways that transit service in Lino Lakes could be improved are as follows: • There is currently no local bus service in Lino Lakes. The City should review the possibility of establishing a circulator type route, probably operating on a flexible or deviated route model where the bus may leave the primary route for limited times and distances to respond to the needs of a specific transit user. If not currently feasible, this option should be periodically reviewed as the City continues to develop and as demographics and economic assumptions evolve. • A general area of service that is problematic given limited resources is suburb -to- suburb connections. The relatively low demand combined with limited funding has inhibited the consideration of this type of service. As future suburban growth and densification occurs, demand will continue to increase for these types of local suburban services. • As the commercial and light industrial employment base, particularly in the northeast portion of the City, develops and expands, employers and potential employees would benefit from expanded reverse - commute options from the urban areas to Lino Lakes via the transit system. This may include traditional reverse commute, return trips on the normal peak - period commuter runs, and connectors to employment sites from new park and rides, such as the proposed facility near I -35E and CSAH 14 (Main Street). Demand Responsive Transit Service Demand responsive transit service, including ADA required replacement service, is provided by ACT. Currently, the entire City is included in the ADA service, so this is not an issue for the City. However, increasing the hours of service, as funding permits, should continue to be on overall objective. 6 -26 • • •