Public Transit News / Current Events (MN only)

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LakeCharles
Foshay Tower
Posts: 898
Joined: January 16th, 2014, 8:34 am
Location: Kingfield

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby LakeCharles » September 27th, 2017, 9:06 pm

Does metrotransit.org not work for this? I tried it briefly and it says to take the 465 to the 539.

MattW
Rice Park
Posts: 441
Joined: June 13th, 2015, 5:05 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby MattW » September 28th, 2017, 3:24 pm

Anyone else having a problem with google maps and some of the bus routes? I tried to work out new a commute schedule from a new work location down in Burnsville to Normandale Community College and google maps said the only available options where solely on fridays from 7-8am. Was a bit annoying but I managed to get where I was going as well as make a rudimentary schedule by swiping a crap ton of bus pamphlets and working out departure and arrival times on a scrap piece of paper.
Transit App, Yo

https://transitapp.com

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Korh
Union Depot
Posts: 390
Joined: March 8th, 2017, 10:21 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Korh » October 1st, 2017, 6:47 pm

Don't know if this is the right place to ask but earlier around 2:30p.m. today I'm walking in downtown Hopkins and see a bunch of old passenger cars and even an old steam train go by headed towards Minneapolis on the TCW tracks. I'm assuming it was some type of private event for a railroad company, but anyone have an exact info on what it was for?

Uptown46
Metrodome
Posts: 66
Joined: June 19th, 2012, 12:19 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Uptown46 » October 1st, 2017, 9:50 pm


DanPatchToget
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1645
Joined: March 30th, 2016, 1:26 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby DanPatchToget » October 2nd, 2017, 7:38 am

Yes that is the Milwaukee Road 261. Each year they have a fall colors excursion, and the train you saw was coming back from Glencoe. I rode it the day earlier to/from Winthrop. Coach class tickets cost around $80 and I'd highly recommend it. Gave me a sense of what it will be like riding the Southwest LRT between Minneapolis and Hopkins.

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Korh
Union Depot
Posts: 390
Joined: March 8th, 2017, 10:21 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Korh » October 2nd, 2017, 10:32 am

good to know, hopefully I'll remember it for next year

DanPatchToget
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1645
Joined: March 30th, 2016, 1:26 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby DanPatchToget » October 9th, 2017, 12:12 pm

SW Prime will have Saturday service beginning October 28th. Southdale Mall will be included in the SW Prime service area on Saturdays only. https://swtransit.org/?tab=281

grant1simons2
IDS Center
Posts: 4371
Joined: February 8th, 2014, 11:33 pm
Location: Marcy-Holmes

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby grant1simons2 » October 9th, 2017, 4:59 pm

Woah. That's a game changer for me getting home on weekends.

gopherfan
Nicollet Mall
Posts: 129
Joined: January 15th, 2013, 5:09 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby gopherfan » October 17th, 2017, 8:07 pm

Just stumbled upon the game Mini Metro, very fun to play as you build out a metro system :) https://dinopoloclub.com/minimetro/

Image

Tcmetro
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1767
Joined: May 31st, 2012, 8:02 pm
Location: Chicago (ex-Minneapolitan)

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Tcmetro » October 18th, 2017, 9:12 pm

I noticed that Metro Transit now posts rider alerts for when specific trips are canceled? I wonder if this is just general things like a brokedown bus, or if it is a larger issue, such as an operator shortage?

Bakken2016
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1019
Joined: September 20th, 2017, 12:40 pm
Location: North Loop

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Bakken2016 » October 18th, 2017, 11:17 pm

I noticed that Metro Transit now posts rider alerts for when specific trips are canceled? I wonder if this is just general things like a brokedown bus, or if it is a larger issue, such as an operator shortage?
It is both.

Tcmetro
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1767
Joined: May 31st, 2012, 8:02 pm
Location: Chicago (ex-Minneapolitan)

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Tcmetro » October 20th, 2017, 5:04 pm

Per the latest SW Transit board packet, the Blue Flex route will be canceled and Optum will likely be added to the Red route schedule:

https://swtransit.org/cms-files/10-26-1 ... packet.pdf

DanPatchToget
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1645
Joined: March 30th, 2016, 1:26 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby DanPatchToget » October 20th, 2017, 6:11 pm

I can see why they would cut it. Only four trips and they're westbound in the morning only and eastbound in the evening only. I know they want to get reverse commuters, but does this area really have the employment density?

Hope the Red Route is doing well.

Bakken2016
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1019
Joined: September 20th, 2017, 12:40 pm
Location: North Loop

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Bakken2016 » October 31st, 2017, 9:11 am

Math Time!

I was bored and did the math around the number of LRT shutdowns so far in 2017, including the one night closure tomorrow.

651 hours of LRT shutdown
Which is about 27 days or 7.4% of the year, the 11 day shutdown accounts for a majority of this year.

Hopefully there won't be as many in the next 5 years!

DanPatchToget
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1645
Joined: March 30th, 2016, 1:26 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby DanPatchToget » October 31st, 2017, 9:25 am

Does anyone have experience with similar LRT or streetcar systems in other cities? Is this amount of shutdown time common or an anomaly? The only other experience I've had with LRT/tram shutdown is in Oslo where a station was closed for a few months.

Bakken2016
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1019
Joined: September 20th, 2017, 12:40 pm
Location: North Loop

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Bakken2016 » October 31st, 2017, 9:30 am

Does anyone have experience with similar LRT or streetcar systems in other cities? Is this amount of shutdown time common or an anomaly? The only other experience I've had with LRT/tram shutdown is in Oslo where a station was closed for a few months.
I am not, but I believe that the 11 day shutdown really throws off the average amount that happens in a year.

Bakken2016
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1019
Joined: September 20th, 2017, 12:40 pm
Location: North Loop

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Bakken2016 » October 31st, 2017, 9:39 am

Based on Saint Louis MetroLink's Facebook posts, it looks like they do alot of single tracking, instead of closing stations.

Bakken2016
Wells Fargo Center
Posts: 1019
Joined: September 20th, 2017, 12:40 pm
Location: North Loop

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Bakken2016 » October 31st, 2017, 9:43 am

Based on Saint Louis MetroLink's Facebook posts, it looks like they do alot of single tracking, instead of closing stations.
But also single tracking would probably move frequency to like every 20 minutes.

gopherfan
Nicollet Mall
Posts: 129
Joined: January 15th, 2013, 5:09 pm

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby gopherfan » October 31st, 2017, 11:04 am

Does anyone have experience with similar LRT or streetcar systems in other cities? Is this amount of shutdown time common or an anomaly
Anomaly - EVERYTHING being done is for the Super Bowl. The NFL will not allow the trains to use U.S. Bank Stadium Station due to security concerns so downtown had to be reconfigured to allow for trains to switch over near Government Plaza...hence all the downtown shutdowns.

Silophant
Moderator
Posts: 4470
Joined: June 20th, 2012, 4:33 pm
Location: Whimsical NE

Re: Public Transit News and Current Happenings

Postby Silophant » October 31st, 2017, 11:24 am

Wait. What? Trains aren't going to be able to even pass through the station? For how long?
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