Laserfiche WebLink
.~~~ 1. <br />~\ <br />River <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Mayor Klinzing <br />Elk River City Council <br />INFORMATION <br />FROM: Annie Deckert, Economic Development Assistant <br />DATE: 17 May 2010 <br />SUBJECT: Northstar Commuter Train Update <br />Attachments <br />• Northstar train schedule (changed April 17, 2010) <br />• MN Twins Northstar service schedule <br />• March 2010 ridership numbers (April's not yet released) <br />• Northstar online marketing survey PowerPoint <br />• Northstar online marketing survey findings <br />Background <br />Elk River celebrated the launch of the first commuter rail service in the state last November. <br />Staff meets on a consistent basis with the NCDA marketing committee, focusing on <br />improving service, public education and planning for the potential second phase to St. <br />Cloud. <br />2010 ridership projections show a goal of 897,000 trips, averaging a daily goal of 2,460. The <br />first four month of Northstar logged 199,409. April has shown the greatest ridership thus <br />far at 61,560 rides. <br />The train offers service to 53 MN Twins games this season. The train has delivered an <br />average of 20% of the fans this season, with a goal of 15% <br />Update <br />The first Noxthstar educational `How to Ride the Train' event will take place May 22nd, with <br />a second event planned for August 14; registration available June 1st through Park & Rec. <br />Participants will learn how to purchase their ticket, board the train and transfer to the light <br />rail, where they will be dropped off at the Mall of America for the afternoon. Due to the <br />large response and interest in these events; staff is in the process of planning future events, <br />particularly an event oriented for seniors. <br />