2019.01.23 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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NEW BUS ROUTE 363 (RED ROCK CORRIDOR PHASE I IMPLEMENTATION) Position: The Washington County Regional Railroad Authority (WCRRA) supports funds for a two-year demonstration of a new bus route (Route 363) that would provide all -day, bi-directional bus service between Saint Paul and Cottage Grove. Issue: The existing transit service in the Red Rock corridor is peak period express service designed for downtown workers with 9 am — 5 pm work schedules. New Route 363 would provide all -day service every 30 minutes in both directions between Saint Paul and Cottage Grove, expanding multimodal travel options in the Highway 61 corridor. Stops will include the Newport Transit Station, owned by Washington County, which is located by the Red Rock Square Apartments developed by the Washington County Community Development Agency. All day local service will allow people whose travel needs are not met with peak -period, peak direction express service to complete trips on transit. Examples include workers within the corridor during traditional and non-traditional work shift times, reverse -commuters, and people making school, human service, social, and recreational trips. Local stops within the corridor will also increase access for people currently unable to use the park -and -ride based commuter -express service, including those with limited access to an automobile. A two-year demonstration of Route 363 is estimated to cost $5,600,000. Support and Opposition: Support comes from the Red Rock Corridor Commission, Metro Transit, local communities along the corridor, East Metro Strong, and those who support buses over other public transit options. Opposition may come from those opposed to expansion of transit in the region. Previous Consideration: Through the Red Rock Corridor Implementation Plan completed in 2016, county and city partners have conducted a thorough investigation of transit needs in the corridor. The plan is a phased approach with a near -term need for new local bus service and a long-term need for bus rapid transit that includes high - frequency service, robust stations and enhanced parking facilities. Washington County collaborated with Metro Transit to submit a Regional Solicitation Transit Expansion application in July 2016 to fund the purchase of four buses and operate new, local bus service in Red Rock Corridor between Saint Paul and Cottage Grove in the amount of $7,382,834. This application was not funded. Washington County also submitted a request for demonstration funds in the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions. These requests were not funded. No Action: Without action the transit needs of the southeastern Twin Cities region will not be met and there will be no all -day, bi-directional bus service in the Red Rock Corridor. 19