Discuss City of Ramsey Bus Service

Purpose:  To brief the Council on the ridership of Bus route 852 and request Council direction with regard to terminating the agreement for this bus route.

Background:  In March 2013, Metro Transit began operation of weekday Route 852 bus trip extension demonstration to/from Ramsey Station:  12:50 p.m. northbound arrival; 1:03 p.m. southbound departure and 8:51 p.m. northbound arrival.  Staff received communication from Metro Transit - Adam Harrington, Assistant Director, Route & System Planning, relating to the ridership of that extension.  Mr. Harrington stated that they have observed an average of 2.4 boardings using this extension over 24 minutes of service - about five passengers per hour or one passenger per ten minutes.  This ranges from 0 - 4 boardings per weekday and some of these counts may be the bus operator getting on and off at the terminal.  Mr. Harrington suggested the numbers are disappointing and do not merit continuing service.  His recommendation is to eliminate this extension effective March 8, 2914. 

Staff responded to Mr. Harrington that an item would be brought before the Council at a work session to discuss eliminating this extension.  Staff relayed to Mr. Harrington that the expectation was that Council may like to see the demonstration run until the end of the agreed to period of 18 months - from the December 10, 2012 date.  Staff expressed disappointment in the initial numbers as well, but pointed out that new routes take some time to establish.  Staff also expressed an interest in segmenting the numbers such that we might possibly arrive at a viable long-term fixed route for Ramsey.  For example, does having a mid-day bus option generate more than the evening option, and provide train riders with a desirable alternative?  With the additional six months of the agreed demonstration, we may want to step up awareness among our train riders of the various options for bus travel.

A response from Metro Transit has not been received at this time.  Staff would prefer that the 18 month pilot program run to the end of the 18 month term originally proposed.  A more detailed review of the ridership numbers may also reveal a feasible route alternative, but those numbers have not been provided to date.

Approximately 15 minutes.

Funding for the pilot bus route is solely the responsibility of Metro Transit.  An 18 month pilot study of the bus extension was part of the City's negotiation upon entering into the transit taxing district.  The transit taxing district was a pre-requisite to the 10% cost participation in the rail stations construction by the Metropolitan Council.

City Administrator

To receive direction from the Council with regard to terminating or not terminating the agreement with Metro Transit for the Route 852 bus trip extension prior to completion of the agreed upon 18 month demonstration period.