Big Lake, Minn. / Northstar line could stimulate other rail pro...

Each shiny blue-and-yellow Northstar locomotive pulling out of the Big Lake station beginning this morning weighs 150 tons.

[Mr Right]

Of course finish the line! It would spur economic development, the same thing these politicians are trying to do with all that "stimulus."

They need the MN Valley line to Mankato too and the Red Rock Line!

[Lost In Life]

"340 people who rode the Northstar commuter coach from Elk River to Minneapolis". Compared to what? A total of 350 people making the trip, or 10,000 making the trip daily. "340" by itself means nothing.

[Then Again]

Any takers as to when it hits an automobile? It's got some catching up to do against LRT

[Costs]

"Schmiesing said. "We knew that we needed to take this opportunity to start. But we also know that we have by no means created the most efficient commuter rail use of that line."

Of course you didn't, you only spent 320 million! Or 61 bucks each, for every man, woman, and child in Minnesota.

So it was 8 million a mile to build. Or It would have been nice to report how much it costs to operate each day, per mile, for a loaded train of 140 passengers.

I can't wait for the "ridership exceeds expectations" article. If you set your numbers artificially low (like light rail) I expect the article will appear soon.

[FrankL]

At least this makes more sense than the light rail plans. Build it so the commuters come to the rail line and minimize the number of stops. The light rail lines have too many stops, thus making the train too slow.

[Ranger47]

It'll be fun to watch the liberal math that'll be used to describe how low the cost per rider is...and how green it is - powered by wind mills and solar panels..

[Wheelchair Charley]

Someone wrote that the commuter train will eventually go from the Chicago to Mpls bullet train depot to an area around the St Cloud Minnesota Correctional Facility.

[IamkindaLiberal]

Ranger47 wrote:

It'll be fun to watch the liberal math that'll be used to describe how low the cost per rider is...and how green it is - powered by wind mills and solar panels..

...and I am not for this train. I also bet these engines are diesel. Besides wind mills aren't used much anymore and milling wouldn't help us much with transportation! lol

[Another Observer]

Costs wrote:

I can't wait for the "ridership exceeds expectations" article. If you set your numbers artificially low (like light rail) I expect the article will appear soon.

That one happens to be the fault of the federal transportation people. Their rules require that ridership estimates be pegged to the number of people using existing modes of transit. This means that there could be no projection of the number who will ride a train but will not ride a bus.

[IrishMN]

Step number two in at least 50 of making this wonderful state sustainable and Earth friendly again.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the very long process to make this event happen. Now the tough work can begin with keeping the Republi-thugs from sabatoging the success story here - and in moving forward with additional mass transit alternatives.

[Clueless]

IrishMN wrote:

Step number two in at least 50 of making this wonderful state sustainable and Earth friendly again.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the very long process to make this event happen. Now the tough work can begin with keeping the Republi-thugs from sabatoging the success story here - and in moving forward with additional mass transit alternatives.

The tough work for you is going to be finding all the websites to get
50 different talking points for all the steps you need to make our
"wonderful state" become "Earth friendly again".(there you are, again,
worshiping the earth)

Better plan on working nights from now on.

[MN Born]

Sweat and risk perfect democracy.

[Conservative Conviction]

This was a huge waste of money. They will never recoup what it they spent doing this. I am so tired of being taxed to death.

[Conservative Conviction]

Nothing like bringing the city to the suburbs.

[MrInside]

Just wait till they build the light rail line through Chanhassen, Eden Praire, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Saint Louis Park. The project cost is billions. Land aquistion alone will be a nighmare. Laying road bed, ties, and rail along with electric lines. Hello there already is a fixed rail line, just lease the use.

The big picture of the twin cities shows basic spokes with fixed rail. We don't need to reinvent the wheel.

[yoadam]

You wrote: "They point to the popularity of the commuter coaches running between Elk River and Minneapolis and the Hiawatha Light Rail line in the Twin Cities. Both have exceeded ridership expectations." Irresponsible reporting.

First, this is a comment that should only be stated as a quote by someone mentioned in the story; not the reporter. Second, it's an empty statement, in that it never answers what the expectations were and how they were exceeded. It's obvious the reporter is trying to sway public opinion to support a costly project doomed to be eternally subsidized by the taxpayers.

[Johnny Jacob]

Thanks for pissing more money away on something that I personally will never use because I do not live anywhere near the line.

[IrishMN]

Johnny Jacob wrote:

Thanks for pissing more money away on something that I personally will never use because I do not live anywhere near the line.

Johnny, you don't live anywhere near the line YET. The final word in that sentance is the key.

[Clueless]

IrishMN wrote:

<quoted text>
Johnny, you don't live anywhere near the line YET. The final word in that sentance is the key.

Yes, J.J., the left has every intention of linking us from
sea to shining sea and then forcing you out of your cars.
After all, this is for mother earth and that is more important
than you are.

If I'm wrong, Irish, I'm all ears.

[Crusoe]

Conservative Conviction wrote:

This was a huge waste of money. They will never recoup what it they spent doing this. I am so tired of being taxed to death.

How have you been "tired" of being taxed to death. Wouldn't you be dead by now?