Becoming Multi-Modal in the Twin Cities in the Last Ten Years

Dave Van Hattum
Transit for Livable Communities

The Twin Cities metro area has greatly expanded non-auto options over the past decade. Cities across the metro are actively seeking a new transitway for LRT, BRT or commuter rail, new bike lanes and more walkable public spaces.
Since 1990, the Twin Cities:

 

  • Opened in 2004 its first light rail transit (LRT) line - the Hiawatha line, which runs every 15 minutes for 22 hours a day and carries approximately 30,000 riders per day
  • Secured funding for, and ensured all communities are served on, the Central Corridor LRT - set to open in 2014.
  • Opened its first commuter rail line - the Northstar, which runs 12 times each weekday between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis, carrying 3,500 passengers daily.
  • Opened its second bus rapid transit (BRT) line - on I-35W South.
  • Installed bike racks on all buses and trains (note: New York City does not have bike racks on buses!).
  • Opened dual-lane bus routes on two key thoroughfares in downtown Minneapolis - greatly speeding travel for tens of thousands of commuters.
  • Greatly expanded bike lanes in Minneapolis and St. Paul including the 5.5-mile midtown Greenway and artistic Sabo bridge over Hiawatha Ave.
  • Secured federal funding (i.e. Bike Walk Twin Cities program) for bike/walk expansions in Minneapolis and neighboring communities.
  • Opened two car-sharing organizations: the non-profit HOURCAR with a fleet of 20 cars, and the for-profit ZIPCAR with a fleet of 5 cars.
  • Opened a state-of-the-art bicycle sharing option, Nice Ride, with 65 kiosks and 1000 bikes in Minneapolis.
  • Effectively created and marketed transit tax breaks for employers and employees.
  • Created the first dedicated funding sources for transit - motor vehicle sales tax revenues in 2006, and sales tax in five metro counties in 2008.
  • Located the new Twins ballpark at the crossroads of Minneapolis transit routes and good bicycle access, leading to hordes of fans - 20% or more - leaving their cars at home.
  • Experienced dramatic increases in transit and non-motorized trip-making. In 2008, 10.4% of daily commutes in Minneapolis were by bicycling or walking, up 26.8% from 2005, while in St. Paul the 2008 figure was 6.1%, an increase of 45.2% over 2005.
  • Passed Complete Streets legislation to ensure that new roads and bridges are built to serve all users regardless of age or ability.

Twin Cities residents overwhelmingly support further expansions of alternatives to driving alone. Where good transit service and safe bike routes are available, people of all ages flock to these healthy and economical choices.

Given our starting point - we have one of the nation’s largest metro highway systems, we are among the most sprawling cities our size, and we were behind other cities in adding rail service - we have made progress, but still have a long way to go. Our transit fares are higher, and transit availability lower, than in peer regions. Tragically, 13 people lost their lives in the 35W bridge collapse - highlighting the importance of a "fix-it-first" approach (i.e. fix before expansion) to road and bridge infrastructure.

The good news is that most residents experience, and all benefit from, the myriad of new transportation choices described above. Young and old, city and suburban dweller, as well as business and union leaders are increasingly vocal in demanding that elected officials and public agencies build a 21st century transportation system that serves all communities equitably, and provides safe, energy-efficient, healthy options to get people where they need to go.

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Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition mncompletestreets.org 651-294-7141 Get involved to influence street design in your community
Becoming Multi-Modal

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