Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Training 3
This was my 3rd day training on the main line. I picked up passenger during rush hour. Operating in service the last 4 days. Things are going great and having a good time.
Friday, November 11, 2011
LRT Training 2
I passed my final test on rules class. Last night was my first night on the main line training on LRV. Things are going very well.
Friday, October 28, 2011
LRT Training
I finished my first week of training for LRT (Light Rail Train) operator for Metro Transit today. On Monday, my first day, I felt overwhelmed and wondered what I got myself into to. Now today, Friday, I am feeling "I can do this!"
I operated the LRV this week, VERY COOL. Toured the Maintenance Dept. They do an incredible job. A lot goes into maintaining the LRVs.
This week we had 2 quizzes. I scored 100% correct on both. Still have lots to learn.
I operated the LRV this week, VERY COOL. Toured the Maintenance Dept. They do an incredible job. A lot goes into maintaining the LRVs.
This week we had 2 quizzes. I scored 100% correct on both. Still have lots to learn.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
2011 Buses
2011 New Flyer D60LFR and Gillig BRT (middle)
Interior of Bus 3363
Destination sign control. It has a touch screen.
Driver's Seat Bus 3363
Friday, July 22, 2011
Gateway Commission Has Open House
Gateway Corridor Commission Holds Open House in Hudson to Discuss Mass Transit Options Along I-94
What are the alternatives being studied?
Alternative 1: The “no build” option would maintain current express bus service from the central cities to Woodbury. The buses would travel on MnPASS lanes between Minneapolis and St. Paul and then use the shoulder when traffic is moving slow between St. Paul and Woodbury.
Alternative 2: This option is the same as the first option, except it adds express bus service all the way to Eau Claire from the central cities.
Alternative 3: This option would incorporate bus rapid transit—similar to express bus service, but faster—in a MnPASS lane from Minneapolis to St. Paul and a bus-only lane from St. Paul to Hudson along Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 4: This option would be the same as Option 3, however the route would travel along Seventh Street in St. Paul and would travel along Hudson Road in Woodbury.
Alternative 5: This option provides light rail transit from St. Paul’s Union Depot to Hudson along Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 6: This option provides light rail transit on a more windy route than Option 5. The route would travel down Seventh Street in. St. Paul, then travel along Interstate 94 starting at White Bear Avenue, and then travel along Hudson Road in Woodbury and connect back with Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 7: The seventh option would create commuter rail from Minneapolis to Eau Claire using existing track. There are two potential routes to the Union Depot in St. Paul. From the Depot, the route would travel along Union Pacific Railroad tracks north of Interstate 94 to Eau Claire.
Alternative 8: The eighth option would use MnPASS lanes from Minneapolis to Hudson. The option would include adding Park and Ride lots throughout the corridor. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Members of the public were invited to attend an open house on Tuesday put on at the St. Croix County Government Center by the Gateway Corridor Commission. The group put on the open house so the public could get the opportunity to learn about the group's transit plans from downtown Minneapolis through St. Paul, Woodbury, Hudson and all the way to Eau Claire.
The group has identified eight transit alternatives to study in greater detail over the next several months. Some of the options include bus service, others include light rail service. One option includes commuter rail service along existing tracks.
What are the alternatives being studied?
Alternative 1: The “no build” option would maintain current express bus service from the central cities to Woodbury. The buses would travel on MnPASS lanes between Minneapolis and St. Paul and then use the shoulder when traffic is moving slow between St. Paul and Woodbury.
Alternative 2: This option is the same as the first option, except it adds express bus service all the way to Eau Claire from the central cities.
Alternative 3: This option would incorporate bus rapid transit—similar to express bus service, but faster—in a MnPASS lane from Minneapolis to St. Paul and a bus-only lane from St. Paul to Hudson along Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 4: This option would be the same as Option 3, however the route would travel along Seventh Street in St. Paul and would travel along Hudson Road in Woodbury.
Alternative 5: This option provides light rail transit from St. Paul’s Union Depot to Hudson along Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 6: This option provides light rail transit on a more windy route than Option 5. The route would travel down Seventh Street in. St. Paul, then travel along Interstate 94 starting at White Bear Avenue, and then travel along Hudson Road in Woodbury and connect back with Interstate 94. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Alternative 7: The seventh option would create commuter rail from Minneapolis to Eau Claire using existing track. There are two potential routes to the Union Depot in St. Paul. From the Depot, the route would travel along Union Pacific Railroad tracks north of Interstate 94 to Eau Claire.
Alternative 8: The eighth option would use MnPASS lanes from Minneapolis to Hudson. The option would include adding Park and Ride lots throughout the corridor. Express buses would connect Hudson to Eau Claire.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Funding For Transit Agreed
Conferees reconcile 4 spending bills
In the bills finalized Monday, one of the most significant changes involves the funding of Twin Cities transit. Republican lawmakers wanted to cut Met Council funding to about $20 million -- $100 million below current levels. Dayton wanted $129 million
In the bills finalized Monday, one of the most significant changes involves the funding of Twin Cities transit. Republican lawmakers wanted to cut Met Council funding to about $20 million -- $100 million below current levels. Dayton wanted $129 million
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Planning for Potential Transit Budget Reductions
At the June 27, 2011 meeting of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee, John Levin, Metro Transit's Director of Service Development, summarizes Metro Transit's plans to provide information and collect public input regarding potential transit service reductions and fare increases, which may be necessary given anticipated shortfalls in the regional transit operations budget.
While watching the video, you can also view Levin's slide presentation (14 pages, pdf).
While watching the video, you can also view Levin's slide presentation (14 pages, pdf).
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Metro Transit Bus Collides with Truck
Bus Collides with Truck in Downtown St. Paul, 8 Injured
At least eight people were rushed to Regions Hospital after a Metro Transit bus collided with a truck in downtown St. Paul Wednesday morning.
The collision sent the bus, route 94, into a nearby parking garage shortly after 9 a.m. at Cedar and Sixth Streets. A Metro Transit spokesperson says the truck ran a red light.
John Siqveland of Metro Transit tells KSTP.com the bus went into the Alliance Bank Center parking ramp after the collision.
The driver of the bus at one point was trapped inside the bus.
Metro Transit officials say it appears the victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. Two of the victims who were inside of the truck were taken to the hospital with "five or six" victims on the bus also taken to the hospital.
Metro Transit expects the scene of the crash to be cleared by 11 a.m.
Metro Transit Police, according to Siqveland, ticketed the driver of the truck. The driver of the bus will be given a drug and alcohol test, which is Metro Transit policy.
St. Paul Crash Highlights Stroller Safety on Buses
At least eight people were rushed to Regions Hospital after a Metro Transit bus collided with a truck in downtown St. Paul Wednesday morning.
The collision sent the bus, route 94, into a nearby parking garage shortly after 9 a.m. at Cedar and Sixth Streets. A Metro Transit spokesperson says the truck ran a red light.
John Siqveland of Metro Transit tells KSTP.com the bus went into the Alliance Bank Center parking ramp after the collision.
The driver of the bus at one point was trapped inside the bus.
Metro Transit officials say it appears the victims suffered non-life threatening injuries. Two of the victims who were inside of the truck were taken to the hospital with "five or six" victims on the bus also taken to the hospital.
Metro Transit expects the scene of the crash to be cleared by 11 a.m.
Metro Transit Police, according to Siqveland, ticketed the driver of the truck. The driver of the bus will be given a drug and alcohol test, which is Metro Transit policy.
St. Paul Crash Highlights Stroller Safety on Buses
ATU Local 1005 Votes on Contract
Twin Cities transit workers to decide May 1 on contract
MINNEAPOLIS - Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 will decide May 1 whether to approve a tentative settlement reached last weekend with the Metropolitan Council, which operates Metro Transit.
Details of the agreement are not being released, but the Local 1005 Executive Board is recommending ratification, Local 1005 President Michelle Sommers said.
Members will gather Sunday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul to view and discuss the offer and start balloting. Voting will continue until 4 p.m.
For members unable to attend the St. Paul meeting, arrangements have been made to vote at the Minneapolis Labor Center, the union said.
The agreement covers approximately 2,300 bus drivers, mechanics and other workers. Contract negotiations, which began last summer, have been taking place as the Legislature considers massive cuts in funding for transit that could lead to job losses and higher fares for riders. Local 1005 is part of a broad-based coalition advocating support for a quality public transit system.
UPDATE:
Metro Transit workers approve new contract
MINNEAPOLIS - Nine months after their last contract expired, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, which represents Metro Transit drivers, mechanics and other staff, have voted to approve a two-year agreement with the Metropolitan Council.
The contract was approved by a 78 to 22 percent margin, the union announced Monday.
The pact covers about 2,300 employees of Metro Transit, which is operated by the Met Council. Local 1005 members voted Sunday at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul.
Michelle Sommers, president of ATU Local 1005, said the approved contract reflects a trade off: members agreed to a two-year wage freeze in exchange for seeing no changes to their health insurance plans.
“It’s not a great offer, but we needed to keep health care the same,” Sommers said. “That’s a big issue to us.”
Sommers said the local’s executive board recommended members vote to ratify the contract, the terms of which will be applied retroactively to Aug. 1, when the previous contract expired.
Negotiations between ATU Local 1005 and the Met Council took place as Republican majorities in the Legislature proposed deep cuts in funding for public transit – cuts the union says would lead to job losses and higher fares for riders.
MINNEAPOLIS - Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 will decide May 1 whether to approve a tentative settlement reached last weekend with the Metropolitan Council, which operates Metro Transit.
Details of the agreement are not being released, but the Local 1005 Executive Board is recommending ratification, Local 1005 President Michelle Sommers said.
Members will gather Sunday, May 1, at 11 a.m. at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul to view and discuss the offer and start balloting. Voting will continue until 4 p.m.
For members unable to attend the St. Paul meeting, arrangements have been made to vote at the Minneapolis Labor Center, the union said.
The agreement covers approximately 2,300 bus drivers, mechanics and other workers. Contract negotiations, which began last summer, have been taking place as the Legislature considers massive cuts in funding for transit that could lead to job losses and higher fares for riders. Local 1005 is part of a broad-based coalition advocating support for a quality public transit system.
UPDATE:
Metro Transit workers approve new contract
MINNEAPOLIS - Nine months after their last contract expired, members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, which represents Metro Transit drivers, mechanics and other staff, have voted to approve a two-year agreement with the Metropolitan Council.
The contract was approved by a 78 to 22 percent margin, the union announced Monday.
The pact covers about 2,300 employees of Metro Transit, which is operated by the Met Council. Local 1005 members voted Sunday at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul.
Michelle Sommers, president of ATU Local 1005, said the approved contract reflects a trade off: members agreed to a two-year wage freeze in exchange for seeing no changes to their health insurance plans.
“It’s not a great offer, but we needed to keep health care the same,” Sommers said. “That’s a big issue to us.”
Sommers said the local’s executive board recommended members vote to ratify the contract, the terms of which will be applied retroactively to Aug. 1, when the previous contract expired.
Negotiations between ATU Local 1005 and the Met Council took place as Republican majorities in the Legislature proposed deep cuts in funding for public transit – cuts the union says would lead to job losses and higher fares for riders.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Full Funding Grant Agreement
The Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) signing will occur at 11 a.m. in the Harold E. Stassen Office Building on the LRT route at 600 N. Robert Street in the state Capitol complex.
Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties and Metropolitan Council Chair Sue Haigh will be among the speakers. Planners invited current and former officeholders who played a role in shepherding the line through 30 years of planning to unite Minnesota’s capital city and its largest city by light rail. This line is becoming a reality because of the partnership between state and local governments, which include the Ramsey and Hennepin counties’ regional rail authorities, the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Counties Transit Improvement Board.
Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken, Rep. Betty McCollum, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis, commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties and Metropolitan Council Chair Sue Haigh will be among the speakers. Planners invited current and former officeholders who played a role in shepherding the line through 30 years of planning to unite Minnesota’s capital city and its largest city by light rail. This line is becoming a reality because of the partnership between state and local governments, which include the Ramsey and Hennepin counties’ regional rail authorities, the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Counties Transit Improvement Board.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Maple Grove P & R Full
Transit Station Parking Ramp at Capacity
Due to increasing ridership, the frequency of the parking ramp at the Maple Grove Transit Station being full by 8:15 a.m. is increasing. This happens most often on Tuesdays. As a result, commuters should plan accordingly as Maple Grove Transit cannot guarantee that all commuters seeking a parking ramp stall will be able to obtain one. The new Parkway Station served by the Route 785 may be a suitable option for some commuters to consider with a trips leaving Parkway Station at 5:48, 6:23, 6:48, 7:02, 7:15, 7:45, 8:00, and 8:18 a.m. If gas prices continue to rise, Maple Grove Transit expects the ramp to be full on a regular basis and may be full to capacity before 8:00 a.m.
Due to increasing ridership, the frequency of the parking ramp at the Maple Grove Transit Station being full by 8:15 a.m. is increasing. This happens most often on Tuesdays. As a result, commuters should plan accordingly as Maple Grove Transit cannot guarantee that all commuters seeking a parking ramp stall will be able to obtain one. The new Parkway Station served by the Route 785 may be a suitable option for some commuters to consider with a trips leaving Parkway Station at 5:48, 6:23, 6:48, 7:02, 7:15, 7:45, 8:00, and 8:18 a.m. If gas prices continue to rise, Maple Grove Transit expects the ramp to be full on a regular basis and may be full to capacity before 8:00 a.m.
Central Corridor Update
Officials from the Metropolitan Council update the status of construction of the Central Corridor and urge residents to continue to support local businesses as they cope with construction along the light rail line.
For info call 651-602-1404 or go to www.centralcorridor.org
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Bob Newhart - Bus Driver Training
Bob Newhart's 'Bus Driver Training' skit from his Button Down Comedy stand-up show. This video was recorded in 1995, but I believe it was originally found on 'The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back', which was released in 1960 as an audio recording.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Take Transit to the Game
Metro Transit has several options to get you to Target Field with ease:
- Bus There are bus routes from all over the metro, including Express Route 679 from the I-394 & County Road 73 Park & Ride ramp, serving every game
- Light Rail Park for free along the line and hop on for an easy ride downtown
- Northstar Line New this year -- Northstar trains will serve every home game. Get the Northstar Twins schedule here.
Plus, we can help you get there by carpool or bicycle Find all your options click HERE
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
