HF 2251

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring study of center
loading and shoulder loading of transit passengers on
freeways; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; FREEWAY TRANSIT PASSENGER
LOADING.
new text end

new text begin (a) Up to $....... of the money appropriated to the
commissioner of transportation and set aside under Minnesota
Statutes, section 161.53, for transportation research and
related activities of the Center for Transportation Studies of
the University of Minnesota must be used to study the
feasibility and effectiveness of a remodeled transit system
incorporating the freeway system in the metropolitan area.
new text end

new text begin (b) The project must provide for passengers to board from
the freeway median or from the freeway shoulder, or a
combination of median and shoulder.
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new text begin (c) At a minimum, the study must:
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new text begin (1) survey other similar studies or projects, if any;
new text end

new text begin (2) examine freeway transit systems in other states, as
relevant;
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new text begin (3) examine the time savings to passengers and
cost-effectiveness of using transit vehicles operating without
tracks within the right-of-way of existing freeways within the
metropolitan area; and
new text end

new text begin (4) examine realignment of the existing bus transit network
to directly feed the transit vehicles operating within the
freeway right-of-way.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Center for Transportation Studies may consult with
the Metropolitan Council on the design of the remodeled transit
system. The council shall reconfigure the transit network as
necessary to implement this project, provide the center with any
relevant ridership and cost information for the study, and
assist and cooperate with the center as necessary to implement
and complete the project and study.
new text end

new text begin (e) The Center for Transportation Studies shall report to
the legislature with findings and recommendations by June 30,
2006.
new text end

new text begin (f) This section expires July 1, 2006, and any unexpended
portion of this appropriation is canceled.
new text end