Road Construction Updates: Washington Ave – Like last year, Washington Ave in Downtown will be under construction this year causing us to have to re-route service through Downtown. I-94 Closure – MnDOT is conducting a major roadwork project that will close part of I-94 westbound near Downtown Minneapolis. A result of this closure is that at some point the summer the westbound HOV lane on I-394 will be open to general traffic, which could negatively impact all of SWT’s express services out of Downtown. Staff is working with MnDOT to determine when exactly these closures will occur and for how long. 35W/Lake St – The Lake St. stops on 35W will be closed as part of major roadwork on 35W making it impossible to service the stops as currently serviced on Route 684. The current plan is to re-route Route 684 to take I-394 and Highway 100 between Downtown and Southdale and to have Lake St riders utilize existing Metro Transit service to Southdale. The schedule start for this construction is spring 2018.
Looking for a way to go that extra mile? SWT offersSeasonal and Hourly Bike Rentals!
Seasonal Pricing: Daily Rentals Available from Zagster Kiosks: Between 4/24 – 5/12 : Expires 10/20/17: Fee $75 SouthWest Station, Eden Prairie Between 5/15-6/9: Expires 10/20/17: Fee $65 Chanhassen Transit Station, Chanhassen Between 6/12-7:14: Expires 10/20/17: Fee $55 East Creek Station, Chaska.
Between 7/17-8/11: Expires 10/20/17: Fee $45 Pricing: $1/day 8/14 or later: Expires 10/20/17: Fee $35 Visit swtransit.org for more information!
On the Move, May 2017
Twins Baseball and Twins service is underway. Once again, SWT will be providing service to Target Field this year. SWT has secured the same drop off location with the City of Minneapolis. Additionally, service will once again be provided beginning on opening day. Some of the changes include, and depending on demand, will be provided up to the State Fair where it will be suspended for the year unless the Twins are in a pennant race. Another change includes reducing service from four buses to three. Ridership, based on last year, still has plenty of seats. We will be moving the end of the sixth inning bus to 20 minutes after the end of the seventh inning. There will be two game end buses of 20 minutes and the final out and the “sweeper” at 35 minutes after the game. CARVER CHASKA CHANHASSEN EDEN PRAIRIE TARGET FIELD
GAME Carver Station East Creek SouthWest SouthWest 4th St. Ramp
START Ironwood & Hwy 212 & 41 Village Station (Garage C) Jonathan TIME Hwy 212 & 101 Hwy 212 & Prairie (time may vary due to Carver Pkwy. Center Dr. traffic conditions) 12:10 pm 10:00 am 10:10 am 10:20 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 1:10 pm 11:00 am 11:10 am 11:20 am 11:30 am 12:00 pm 3:10 pm 1:00 pm 1:10 pm 1:20 pm 1:30 pm 2:00 pm 7:10 pm 5:00 pm 5:10 pm 5:20 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm
SouthWest Transit is partnering with the Eden Prairie Park & Recreation ARTS IN THE PARK EVENT that will be held across the road at Purgatory Creek!
Local & Regional vendors selling glass, jewelry, paintings, wood
photography, sculptures and more!
Live Entertainment Twins Game—Pre-Game Party 9am-11:30am Face Painting (special service to the Twins Game from SWS at 11:30)am visit edenprairie.org Kids Activities Drawings & Giveaways For a complete schedule FREE Inflatable Fun for Kids of events! Beer Tasting Games & Activities for the whole family! Food Trucks
On the Move, May 2017
SouthWest Transit is looking for your feedback on different aspects of the service ranging anywhere from policies to marketing strategies. SouthWest Transit wants to use your feedback to better understand what improvements its customers would like to see to their services.
SouthWest Transit appreciates any and all participation and constructive input obtained through the use of this program. To encourage your participation, SouthWest Transit is rewarding SW Perks points to those who make a submission.
A new question will be posted on the second Tuesday of every month and remains open through the end of the month! Get involved in SouthWest Cares at swtransit.org
June 6 Minnesota Zoo
June 13 Centennial Lakes Park
June 20 Carver Station East Creek Station SouthWest Village SouthWest Station Arrive at Science Museum of MN Carver Chaska Chanhassen Eden Prairie Destination Hwy 11 & Hwy 212 & Hwy 212 & Hwy 212 & June 27 Ironwood Dr. Hwy 41 Hwy 41 Prairie Center Dr. Minnehaha Falls
9:55 am 10:05 am 10:15 am 10:25 am 11:00 am July 11 Walker Art Center
Depart from SouthWest Station SouthWest Village East Creek Station Carver Station July 18 Eden Prairie Chanhassen Chaska Carver Destination Mall of America Hwy 212 & Hwy 212 & Hwy 212 & Hwy 11 & Prairie Center Dr. Hwy 41 Hwy 41 Ironwood Dr. July 25 MN Children’s Museum 2:00 pm 2:35 pm 2:45 pm 2:55 pm 3:05 pm August 1 MN History Center With warmer weather fast approaching, we are looking forward to rolling out our summer August 8 adventures program once again. Beginning Tuesday, June 6, we will be providing service to a Como Zoo new adventure every Tuesday through mid August! This service is offered from our Carver, August 15 East Creek, SouthWest Village and SouthWest Station stops. Big Thrill Factory
On the Move, May 2017
Proposed Fare Increase Transit Wide
That the Metropolitan Council authorize a series of public meetings on potential fare adjustments for regular route transit, dial-a-ride transit and paratransit services operated and/or funded by the Metropolitan Council and approve information scheduled to be presented at public hearings and public meetings for the purpose of public comment and input prior to adoption of any regional fare adjustments. As a result of inflationary pressures, growth in Metro Mobility demand, and reductions in Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) receipts, the Metropolitan Transportation Division is facing a projected State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018-2019 deficit of nearly $74 million. One of the recommended solutions to help resolve this projected deficit is a fare adjustment. The Metropolitan Council last took action to increase fares effective Oct. 1, 2008. This action was an effort to raise revenues to offset abudget deficit and to preserve the farebox recovery rate.
Fare Increase Proposal 1: Fare Increase Proposal 2: Current $0.25 Increase $0.50 Increase
Cash Fare Increases Full Fare Reduced Fare Full Fare Reduced Fare Full Fare Reduced Fare
Local Bus/METRO Reg- $1.75 $0.75 $2.00 $1.00 $2.25 $1.00 ular Fares
Local Bus/METRO Rush $2.25 $2.25 $2.50 $2.50 $2.75 $2.75 Fares
Express Bus $2.25 $0.75 $2.50 $1.00 $2.75 $1.00 Regular Fares
Express Bus $3.00 $3.00 $3.25 $3.25 $3.50 $3.50 Rush Fares
Limited Limited Limited $0.75 / Ride $1.00 / Ride $1.00 / Ride Mobility: Mobility: Mobility:
Public Hearings
Public hearings are opportunities for people to offer formal public testimony—delivered orally or in writing—on the proposed increase to regional transit fares. There will also be information about the proposed fare increase available, and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the proposal and its impact prior to the public hearing and after the close of the hearing.
Thursday, May 11—5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Chanhassen Library, Wilder Meeting Room 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Public Comment Period from April 13 to June 26, 2017 Mail: Public Information, Metropolitan Council, 390 N. Robert St., St. Paul, MN 55101 Email: [email protected] Recorded Line: 651-602-1500 TTY: 651-291-0904
On the Move, May 2017
Shakopee Service Area No Shakopee-to-Shakopee Rides
SW Prime Service Increases – As part of the March service changes, SW Prime saw a significant increase in service through the addition of two new vehicles throughout the day – In addition to the added Prime vehicles to the service, the March service change also added time to existing Prime vehicles to ensure adequate coverage throughout the day. To date, it appears these additions have succeeded in filling the service gaps that were being experienced prior to the service change. As always, staff will monitor the impact of these service changes and make adjustments as required in order to maintain the quality and efficient service that is expected.
On the Move, May 2017
Rider Rep Ruminations
Fellow SouthWest Transit Riders, recently there was a news story that didn’t put suburban transit in the best light. Even through the report was labeled a “Reality Check”, it was far from being reality. The segment not only used outdated information, it blurred the line between express, reverse commute, and local operations, and lumped the various route segments we operate against Metro Transit’s local operations. Even though suburban operators like SouthWest have the lowest operating costs in the region, it’s difficult to actually be less expensive when comparing routes in excess of 20 miles against something that operates fewer trip miles, while having the ability to turn ridership Jody Collis King over throughout its actual trip, unlike an express route. This is also true when comparing services like those we operate against LRT. Once constructed, LRT can be less expensive than traditional bus operations (i.e. less drivers, and fuel), but what often doesn’t get included in the comparative statistics is the huge capital costs needed to construct the line - $2 billion alone to construct the SWLRT line. When you actually compare our suburban operations against others in this region including Metro Transit, we are not only competitive, but are more cost effective than most. So why is information like the “Reality Check” segment put out there? There is the likelihood that there will be reduced funding to Metro Transit if current bills in the Legislature pass. Presenting certain transit functions in a better light may help encourage the public to pressure legislators to fund the projects that the Metropolitan Council prefers. SouthWest Transit is a public operator and we try our best to stay clear of the political gamesmanship. We are dedicated to providing the best service we can to meet the needs of our customers in our service area. As your Rider Representative and member of the SouthWest Transit Commission, I want to assure you that our system operates efficiently while continuously monitoring the operations, making adjustments to better meet rider needs, as well as improving our overall cost effectiveness. So as the old adage goes, don’t always believe what you hear. That’s my reality check.
SW Perks Referral Program
Referring your friends to SouthWest Transit has never been easier or more rewarding! May 15 – June 16 refer a friend to SouthWest Transit by filling out the Rider Referral form at swtransit.org. When your friend decides to try out SouthWest Transit, they’ll receive a free 1- week bus pass, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card.
On the Move, May 2017
Matt Fyten Charlie Cochrane Manager of Planning Associate Transit Planner
Matt began his career with SouthWest Transit as an intern in Charlie started with SouthWest Transit as an intern in June of March of 2010. Prior to working at SWT, Matt was a Research 2015. Prior to this, Charlie held an array of jobs in the healthcare Assistant while attending the U of M’s Hubert H. Humphrey field. The included positions at a retirement home, as a personal School of Public Affairs where he received a Masters of Urban care assistant, and as a healthcare provider in a number of and Regional Planning. Matt is very knowledgeable of the SWT Duluth group homes. service area having grown up in Eden Prairie and served on the After completing the internship Charlie was hired on full time as Eden Prairie Commission and Eden Prairie Heritage Preservation an Associate Transit Planner in November of 2015 and managed Commission. Matt and his wife Mollie reside in Shakopee with to finally graduate with a BA in Urban and Regional Studies from their daughter Addison (1). Matt’s interests include music, the University of Minnesota Duluth in September of 2016. sports, politics, history, and going to the cabin. “SWT provides a very comfortable environment with a huge “I enjoy working at SWT because I truly enjoy the people I work cast of very friendly people that make showing up for work with and the work I get to do. SWT is constantly looking to quite enjoyable. Being in a position where one can clearly see improve and try new things within all areas of the organization the effect of their work from day to day is truly rewarding and it and being part of that culture and doing what I can to help it is a pleasure to work somewhere that the motto ‘Expect the along makes for a challenging, fun, and rewarding career Best’ is the standard mode of operating.” where no two days are the same.”
Matt and Charlie are responsible for monitoring service performance, schedule planning and all things associated with that including identifying new transit markets, day-to-day administrative detail including assisting with marketing the services provided by SWT, ensuring quality for the customer, assisting in the development of long range plans and pursuing grant opportunities.
On the Move, May 2017
Questions and Answers Related to the Southwest LRT Line: Q: When is LRT coming to Eden Prairie? A: 2020. It’s looking more and more like LRT will start operating from Eden Prairie sometime in the year 2020. However, if all goes as planned, customers will start to see changes and construction beginning by the end of this year (2017).
Q: Will SouthWest Transit operate LRT? A: No. Metro Transit runs all LRT lines in the Twin Cites.
Q: Will SouthWest Transit still operate its express bus service as it does today? A: Yes. As part of the negotiations with the Metropolitan Council, SouthWest Transit will continue to be the only provider of express and demand response transit (PRIME) in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, and Chaska.
Q: Will this affect my Commute? A: No. The majority of services you use today will remain intact. Some of the current mid-day and evening runs may be reduced, but an alternative would be available via the LRT train. In summary, more transit options will be available to customers over what exists today.
Q: Will the train be faster? A: No. It is estimated that the train will take 15-30 minutes longer than the current bus system. This is due to the fact the train will have 15- 17 stops between SouthWest Station and Downtown Mpls. The train will enter downtown behind Target Field and travel along 5th street. Current SouthWest Transit passengers getting on or off the bus west of 5th street would either have to transfer on to a bus in the downtown zone, or walk to/from their destination if using the train.
Q: Can I use the same fare payment (Metro Pass, UPass, etc) for the train and SouthWest Transit buses? A: Yes. The Metropolitan Council controls all fares and fare paying process for the entire metropolitan region. Therefore all regional passes as well as transfers can be used on either a SouthWest Transit bus or LRT train.
Q: Will SouthWest Transit continue to own the current parking ramp? A: Yes. However, the Metropolitan Council will also construct an additional ramp for 450 cars. Customers using the bus or train will have the ability to park in either ramp since there will be an interior connection between both.
Q: Will SouthWest’s office move? A: Yes. As part of the negotiations with the Metropolitan Council, SouthWest Transit will vacate SouthWest Station. The Metropolitan Council will demolish the station and construct a 450 stall parking ramp. As part of the arrangement the Council will also build a new cus- tomer waiting station across from the current station that both LRT and SouthWest Transit customers can use. Prior to the construction of the new transit station, temporary waiting space will be constructed within the current canopy connecting the existing station with the parking ramp. SouthWest Transit will be moving its administrative functions to a new facility in Chanhassen adjacent to the SouthWest Vil- lage Transit Station.
On the Move, May 2017