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AUG 03 '04 18:02 TO-TG36351090 FROM-RICHARDSON,RICHTER & ASSOCIATES <br /> <br /> Options for the Northstar Commuter Coach <br /> Page 2 <br /> <br />T-241 P, 15/18 <br /> <br />F-503 <br /> <br />Considerations for this option are: <br /> <br />The service will end soon. Riders will seek other means of travel and may be difficult to <br />attract back to the Northstar Commuter train. <br /> <br />Contracts with Mn/DOT, Metropolitan Council and Laidlaw will need to be extended for <br />three months. <br /> <br />The NCDA may be seen as responsible for service ending. <br /> <br />OPTION THREE <br /> <br />Continue the service through September 30, 2005, or one year with no fare increase. For this <br />option to work the NCDA would need to double its financial contribution and all reserves would <br />be used as well. The NCDA contribution would be $200,000 for the year, beginning October 1, <br />2004. Since all projected reserves would be used up, an additional $100,000 would be needed <br />for the year beginning October 1,2005, and each year thereafter. The NCDA would be paying <br />about $300,000 per year starting October of 2005. <br /> <br />Considerations for this option are: <br /> <br />The further from October 1, 2003, we extend service, the herder it will be to tie the State <br />into the termination of service and the NCDA may receive more public criticism. <br /> <br />We retain ridership until the Northstar Commuter train is put into service. <br /> <br />This option, if selected, should be thought of as a permanent commitment to commuter <br />bus service as long as the commuter train is a possibility. <br /> <br />Other considerations: <br /> <br />The Metropolitan Council has agreed to work with the NCDA to identify areas where we <br />could use NTD funds. This would bring about $57,000 to the program in July of each <br />year beginning July 2005. In addition, the Metropolitan Council will add $20,000 to help <br />pay for the system. Option three is based on receiving these funds. <br /> <br />A $1.00 Increase In the fare/rom FIK River would raise about $1o0,o00. Tills would, of <br />course, decrease the NCDA participation in option three. If a $1.00 fare increase were <br />used with option two, the service could run until January <br /> <br />JO:kr <br /> <br /> <br />