More Transit Options Needed

Andy-

buy a car!

How about a bike, if the rabid dogs of NFLD come after you just pepper spray them!

Thanks Andy sharing your story.  I feel compelled to comment primarily because of the rude comments above.  Although I am a biker and advocate that this as an efficient mode of transportation, I agree that we need other options--especially in winter!  People should be able to do their errands and get to work without having to own their own vehicles.  I personally don't use the transit system, but I know many who do.  If the rider-ship is there I think that regular schedules are something that could be looked into.  It's all about money...

But, another exciting idea in the area of transportation is the prospect of a commuter bus running to and from the Burnsville transit hub morning and evening. This is something that city staff is currently looking in to.  I could see this being used by folks going to the airport too, and also to bring people TO Northfield for events, etc.  Good stuff to keep talking about.

I think its a matter of waiting until the demand surpasses the resistance of the bureaucracy.  But hey, dont feel left out, there are millions of people in this world who have to deal without "off-hours" public tranportation.  In some of the poorer northern Europe areas, kids have to walk miles to school in winter -if there's a school.  Maybe we should be helping them first.  It might be selfish, only considering our own desires.

"People should be able to do their errands and get to work without having to own their own vehicles."

that's a great idea, maybe government could just tell me when i need to use the restroom too!

Thanks everyone for sharing your viewpoints. Different opinions aside, nothing will get done without starting the discussion. Anonymous number three, I've exchanged several emails with Rep Bly about transit to the Twin Cities.. oh I think during his 06 campaign, or shortly after. I've added some related links on the message thread about More Transit..." in the forum. There are over 100 comments on that link leading to the regional transit post on Locally Grown. The CCAT idea sounds interesting, doesn't it? A spider web of transit for Rice County? As anonymous #4 said, it's about demand, but there won't be much demand without a discussion started. And #4, thanks for reminding me about the needs of others. It's always important to look outside ourselves to maintain and exercise compassion. There are things I do for others, but I can't do things for everybody all over the world and for every charity that asks me, so for this transit issue, I'll be selfish. It's human nature to be selfish, its the degrees of selfishness that decide who is a diabolical evildoer and who is not.

The 3rd on Minnesota's expenitures' list is transportation. Minnesota has been known to lead out other states and the federal government with a lot of new laws. Therefore, when our state's citizens lobby for change, things usually do change. The best thing anyone can do when they see something that needs change is to lobby to the legistature persons and your congressmen. Andy, get people to write letters. Another thing I would want if I lived in Northfield is a shuttle bus to the Transit Station in the suburbs that have the express buses to the downtowns. I encourage you to be one of the many people that makes a difference in the great town of Northfield.

I think we should spend $40,000 for a new name for the hospital instead....   ...NOT! 

You have my full support Andy! 

Do they want to buy some vowels?

yes transit all around rice county would be nice. i work in faribault and live in northfield. i can't be the only one commuting to faribault from northfield. i propose that we get some kind of route going between say faribault to northfield to cannon falls, to say red wing for the heck of it. also burnsville so that one can connect with the cities too.

i support  the transit system if it takes cars off the road.

Which other groups or individuals are interested in the expansion of transit in Northfield and commuter transit to the Apple Valley or Burnsville transit stations?

Blake Hansen, Sarah Prather, and Julia Reid will be holding a presentation on Transportation in Northfield: A Preliminary Assessment of Current Transportation Needs. The presentation will be held at 3:30 - 5:00 PM Friday, November 21st in Willis Hall, room 203 on Carleton's campus. After the students present their findings, they will facilitate discussion on the problems and possible solutions related to transportation in Northfield. This discussion will be open to anyone who would like to attend. Please email prathers@carleton.edu with any questions.

Posted Nov 23, 2008 on Locally Grown: In the Obama-Era, Plans Revive for a Northfield-Twin Cities Rail Line