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Metro Council approves September public hearings for proposed Dial-a-Ride fares

Fare changes part of larger effort to restructure dial-a-ride services region-wide

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651-602-1357

ST. PAUL—July 22, 2009--The Metropolitan Council today approved public hearings for proposed fares for community-based dial-a-ride services, effective Jan. 1, 2010. The proposed fare structure is among several operating parameters under review as part of a region-wide restructuring of dial-a-ride services.

The restructuring effort, which began in 2008, will provide dial-a-ride transit services that are equally available to all members of the general public throughout the seven-county metropolitan area where fixed-route transit is not available. In addition, the effort will establish a consistent set of operating parameters – such as a single phone number for reservations, consistent hours of operation and a uniform window for advanced trip reservations – for all providers throughout the region.

“The goal of restructuring dial-a-ride services is to provide greater consistency in this service throughout the region,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell. “Each county has a role in determining standard operating guidelines. Ultimately, we want to make sure the rider who boards a dial-a-ride bus in Anoka has the same experience as a rider in West St. Paul.”  

Four metro-area counties have chosen the Metro Council to operate dial-a-ride services in their area. Anoka County and Carver/Scott counties, which have a current partnership to provide transit services, will continue to operate their services as they do today.

Proposed fares are as follows:

Distance	Proposed fare
Trip less than 10 miles	$2.25 each way
Trips between 10 and 20 miles	$4.50 each way
Trips greater than 20 miles	$6.75 each way

ADA certified riders pay a maximum of $4.50 per direction, regardless of distance. Group discounts will also be available.

 

Public Hearings

• Tuesday, Sept. 8 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
  Brooklyn Park Library, Meeting Room
  8600 Zane Ave. N., Brooklyn Park
  Served by Transit Route 723

• Wednesday, Sept. 9 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
  Maplewood Library, Large Meeting Room
  3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood
  Served by Transit Routes 64, 80, 219, 223

• Thursday, Sept. 10 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
  Dakota County Northern Service Center
  Conference Rooms 110A & 110B
  1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul
  Served by Transit Route 75

• Friday, Sept. 11 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  Anoka County Government Center
  County Board Room, Room 705
  2100 Third Avenue, Anoka
  Served by Transit Routes 766, 805, 852

• Thursday, Sept. 17 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  Scott County Government Center
  County Board Room, Room 209
  200 Fourth Avenue West, Shakopee
  Served by Transit Route 496

• Thursday, Sept. 17 – 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
  Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf meeting room
  12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
  Served by Transit Routes 615 and 675

• Friday, Sept. 18 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  Washington County Government Center
  County Board Room, Room 100
  14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater

Members of the public can also comment by emailing the Regional Data Center at data.center@metc.state.mn.us. Comments can be mailed to the Data Center at 390 N. Robert Street, St. Paul 55101 or faxed to 651.602.1464.  Recorded phone messages can be directed to 651.602.1500 (TTY 651.291.0904).  The public comment period closes Sept. 28.

Fast Facts:

• In 2008, more than 450,000 riders used dial-a-ride services in the seven-county metro area.
• The Council provides about $5 million per year to dial-a-ride programs throughout the region. Local communities also provide funds for these programs.
• Fourteen different government and non-profit organizations currently provide dial-a-ride services throughout the region.

 

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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