HF 96

as introduced - 84th Legislature, 2005 1st Special Session (2005 - 2005) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring Department of
Transportation and Metropolitan Council to conduct
study of bus rapid transit on the transportation
corridor between Stillwater and St. Paul.

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

Section 1. new text begin BUS RAPID TRANSIT STUDY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study required. new text end

new text begin The Department of
Transportation and the Metropolitan Council shall jointly
conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing a bus rapid
transit (BRT) system in the transportation corridor between
Stillwater and St. Paul through Woodbury. Bus rapid transit
systems are those systems that provide for significantly faster
operating bus speeds, integrated service, greater service
reliability, and increased convenience through investments in
bus infrastructure, equipment, technology, and operational
improvements.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Study requirements. new text end

new text begin The study must, at a
minimum, include an analysis of the benefits and costs of
implementing a bus rapid transit system that includes the
following:
new text end

new text begin (1) frequent operation of buses on exclusive or
near-exclusive right-of-way on marked Interstate Highway 94;
new text end

new text begin (2) changes in bus or platform design and fare collection
that provide for faster and more convenient boarding;
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new text begin (3) station locations that are adjacent to, or easily
accessible from, the exclusive right-of-way;
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new text begin (4) traffic management improvements and traffic signal
preemption on local streets within the transportation corridor;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) changes to existing transit services to provide for
timely connections and transfers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Study recommendations. new text end

new text begin The study must recommend:
new text end

new text begin (1) options for implementing bus rapid transit in the
transportation corridor;
new text end

new text begin (2) the associated cost of each option; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the anticipated benefits in terms of reduced travel
times, increased ridership, and impacts on congestion levels
within the corridor.
new text end

new text begin The study must be submitted by January 15, 2007, to the house of
representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over
transportation policy and finance.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2005.
new text end