Northstar Link fares set for 2012

ST. CLOUD — The Northstar Corridor Development Authority approved a 2012 budget Dec. 1 which includes a fare increase for Northstar Link Commuter Bus, effective Jan. 3.  This is the first increase since the service started in November 2009. The increase will help offset operational costs.

The Northstar Link travels between St. Cloud and Big Lake Northstar Station, with a stop in Becker. The schedule meets most Northstar trains in Big Lake. On Fridays, a midday bus runs the full length of the corridor, from St. Cloud to downtown Minneapolis. Special buses serve sporting and other events. Rides are free on special buses and trains serving the Target Holidazzle parades on Dec. 10 and 17.

Ridership on the Link continues to grow. People boarded the bus 70,741 times, January through October of this year. That’s a 113% increase over the same period in 2010.

Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, is pleased with the service’s growing popularity.

“Riders are discovering that the Link and the train provide stress-free and on-time travel,” said Commissioner Lenzmeier.

New in 2012, will be a Fabulous Friday midday bus stop in Ramsey. Details are being worked out for an early January start. Watch www.CatchTheLink.com for more information or call 1-877-546-5010. During 2012, a Northstar train station will be constructed in Ramsey with the goal of service starting by the end of the year.

Northstar Link Fares Effective Jan. 3, 2012
Fare	Current	New
887 Cash	$1.50/$3.00	$1.75/$3.25
887T/887V Cash	$1.50	$1.75
887F Cash	$3.00/$5.00	$3.25/$5.50
Becker Cash	$1.00	$1.25
10-Ride Pass	$15.00/$25.00	$16.00/$27.00
31-Day Pass	$90.00	$95.00

About the Northstar Corridor

The Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) is a joint powers board of governmental entities representing counties, cities, townships and regional railroad authorities along the Northstar Corridor, which covers an 80-mile stretch from downtown Minneapolis to St. Cloud.

The Northstar Commuter Rail Line, operated by Metro Transit, provides service on the 40-mile segment of existing track along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis. Northstar trains offer commuter service during prime morning and evening week day rush hours, as well as regular weekend service and some special event service.

For more information about Northstar train service, go to www.metrotransit.org/northstar. For more information about the Northstar Link Commuter Bus, which is operated by St. Cloud Metro Bus, go to www.CatchTheLink.com, or call 877.LINK.010.

 

 

NCDA meeting Dec. 1, 2011

The Northstar Corridor Development Authority meets Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, 4 p.m., at the Anoka County Government Center, 2100 3rd Ave., Anoka, MN.

Free ride to Holidazzle parade Dec. 10, 17

Nov. 16, 2011--Enjoy a free ride on Northstar to the Target Holidazzle Parade in downtown Minneapolis Dec. 10 and 17.

A special, free Northstar Link Holidazzle bus on both Saturdays starts at the downtown St. Cloud Transit Center at 1:45 p.m., with stops at St. Cloud State University, the Northstar Link park and ride lot, and Becker before arriving at Northstar Big Lake Station at 2:45 p.m.

Northstar trains are free after 3 p.m. both days. Be on board when the train pulls out at 3:06 p.m. at Big Lake Station. You’ll arrive in downtown Minneapolis at Target Field Station at 3:55 p.m.

Once Northstar customers reach downtown Minneapolis, getting to Nicollet Mall is an easy—and free—ride on Hiawatha light rail, which connects at Target Field Station. All Metro Transit buses and light rail will be free from 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 17 as well.

You’ll have time to enjoy the downtown attractions before the parade starts at 6:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall. Now in its 20th season, the parade features colorful displays, lights, costumes, music and dancing to celebrate the holidays. Get more information about the parade at www.holidazzle.com.

The special event Northstar train leaves Target Field Station at 8 p.m. The Northstar Link bus will meet the train in Big Lake at 8:50 p.m., arriving in Becker at 9:10 p.m., and St. Cloud stops starting at 9:35 p.m.

Complete schedule details are available at www.CatchTheLink.com for the bus, and www.metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.

“This is an opportunity even Scrooge would approve of,” says Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority.

“The Holidazzle Parade is a great tradition for many of us. But if it’s not your thing, use the free ride for another purpose,” said Commissioner Lenzmeier. “Scrooge would approve of saving up to $ 16.00 or more per person.”

Commissioner Lenzmeier predicts the free ride will entice newcomers to try the train.

“Try it once and maybe you’ll learn that transit is stress free, on time and reliable—not a bad present for yourself.”

Aug. 26--Rail and bus service scheduled for all Vikings games

August 26-- The Northstar commuter rail line  and Northstar Link Commuter Bus will provide service for all Vikings regular and pre-season games at Mall of America Field in the Metrodome this season. Special trains will be added on game days to supplement the regular Northstar schedule when needed.

Fans can save with a Northstar Roundtrip Family Pass which is good for two adults and up to three kids ages 6-17 for $20 or less depending on which station is used for boarding. Fans arriving at Target Field via Northstar can transfer—at no charge—to  the Hiawatha light rail line or buses for the last part of their trip to Mall of America Field.

Northstar Link bus service from St. Cloud or Becker is timed to connect with Northstar trains at Big Lake station. At either the scheduled departure times, or one hour after the end of the game, fans will be able to board the train to Big Lake and easily transfer to the connecting Northstar Link bus to complete the return trip to Becker or St. Cloud. Bus rides cost between $1 and $1.50 one way and are paid for separately from the train ride.

July 19--Northstar Service is Back on Track

Northstar commuter rail service, sidelined since Saturday morning, resumed this afternoon, carrying home commuters who took replacement buses downtown this morning. Fridley Station has reopened as well.

Regularly scheduled weekday Northstar service, both rail and Link bus, is expected to resume tomorrow, Wednesday, July 20.  

Northstar Link Commuter Bus and Northstar Rail will have special service for Wednesday’s 12:10 p.m. Twins game.

Any further updates will be available at metrotransit.org or by calling 612-373-3333.

July 18--Buses will replace Northstar trains on Tuesday a.m., Twins rail and bus service canceled for Tuesday night

Northstar Link Commuter Bus will offer the regular 887 schedule Tuesday, July 19. However, there will not be a special Twins bus because Northstar rail service will not be available.

Metro Transit officials announced Monday night that Northstar rail service will not resume for morning commuters on Tuesday, July 19, as announced earlier in the day. Instead, buses will replace trains. The change is the result of unforeseen delays in work by BNSF Railway to repair track damaged by a freight derailment over the weekend.

Replacement bus service will carry customers from four of five Northstar suburban stations to Target Field. Buses will leave Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka and Coon Rapids/Riverdale stations following regular Northstar scheduled times. As previously announced, Fridley Station remains closed for all morning and afternoon commuter trips Tuesday.

Customers may experience delayed arrivals at Target Field Station due to traffic conditions.

Depending on the pace of BNSF work, either trains or buses will carry customers home from downtown Tuesday afternoon.

Ongoing updates will be available at metrotransit.org or by calling 612-373-3333.

July 18--Northstar Rail, Link Bus Services Resume Tuesday

See the details of service resuming at Metro Transit's Web site, http://metrotransit.org/TransitArticles/Story.aspx?pageid=18&mid=393&articleid=485

Northstar Link Commuter Bus resumes Tuesday, too. Partial service at Fridley is expected.

July 16--Northstar Rail Service Canceled Today, Link Twins Bus Canceled

July 16--Northstar commuter rail service between Big Lake and Minneapolis has been canceled today. The track is out of service due to a freight train derailment near the Fridley Northstar Station around 8 a.m. this morning.
 
The cancellation will impact all six regularly scheduled trips in addition to special Twins service for the 6:10 game tonight.
 
BNSF is working to restore service on the railway.

Northstar Link Commuter Bus is running its regular Saturday schedule between St. Cloud and Big Lake, but has canceled the 887T Twins bus for tonight's game.

Watch http://metrotransit.org for more information.

Seniors show interest in Friday midday bus

"I don't want to be downtown all day. Isn't there midday service?" That's a common refrain, especially with people who aren't commuters but want to use the train during the week.

At last weekend's Anoka County Senior Expo, senior citizens were glad to learn a new midday bus service gives them some flexibility, on Fridays.

May 4, 2011-Northstar Corridor Development Authority Meetings

The next Northstar Corridor Development Authority meetings will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Sherburne County Government Center. The Executive Committee will meet at 3:00 p.m. and the Full NCDA Board will meet at 4:30 p.m. 

Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Dr.
Elk River, MN 55330