4.2. SR 01-18-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PLAN ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES The purpose of this section is twofold: (1) to outline the various alternatives related to public sector sponsorship of commuter rail services provided throughout the State of Minnesota (2) to recommend a viable organizational approach for ~e safe, reliable and cost-effective provision of such services. "/t is recommended that Mn/DOT serve as the initial sponsor of commuter rail service." 2.2 Governance in light of the passage of recent Minnesota State legislation~ that establishes Mn/DOT as the state's commuter rail planning and implementation agent, it is recommended that Mn/DOT serve as the initial sponsor of commuter rail service. Mn/DOT may delegate commuter rail sponsorship to a federated Joint Exercise of Powers Agency (JPA) comprised initially of representatives of affected parties. An alternative to Mn/DOT would be the creation of "MnTransit," a state-level agency with statewide responsibility for transit planning and operations similar to the New Jersey/NJTransit model. However, this approach seems to conflict with the legislature's intent to specifically empower Mn/DOT with these same duties and responsibilities as they relate to commuter rail. Furthermore, adding to the already lengthy list of Minnesota public agencies with some measure of transit and/or specifically rail-related responsibilities may not be viewed by the current administration as being in the best interest of the public. Candidates for membership in a JPA include relevant Regional Railroad Authorities a~ Metro Transit as well as other affected counties, cities, communities, metropolitan planning organizations, and/or transit service providers throughout the region. To the extent that commuter rail Advanced Corridor Plans are initiated outside the seven-county region, the membership of the federated Joint Powers organization could be modified accordingly. This approach is similar to that adopted in the Central Puget Sound Region. Another potential alternative would be the delegation of sponsorship status by Mn/DOT to Metro Transit. This alternative would be consistent with Metro Transit's current duties and responsibilities as primary transit service provider throughout the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. However, current state law limiting the provision of Metro Transit's services to the seven-county area would have to be amended to allow for the potential provision of commuter rail service outside the region or elsewhere throughout the State of Minnesota. The approach which has been taken in the Central Puget Sound with regard to the role of bus service providers has been to formulate intergovernmental agreements with such agencies (Community, Everett and Pierce Transit) for the provision Minnesota Session Laws 1999, Chapter 230 - S.F. No. 1762, Section 20 Commuter Rail System Plan 2-1