HF 1815

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 05/02/2013 09:07am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; mass transit; regulating design, accessibility, and
maintenance of transit shelters and stops; requiring access in special transportation
service buses; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 473.

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

Section 1.

[473.41] TRANSIT SHELTERS AND STOPS.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(a) "Transit authority" means:

(1) a statutory or home rule charter city, with respect to rights-of-way at bus stop and
train stop locations, transit shelters, and transit passenger seating facilities owned by the
city or established pursuant to a vendor contract with the city;

(2) the Metropolitan Council, with respect to transit shelters and transit passenger
seating facilities owned by the council or established pursuant to a vendor contract with
the council; or

(3) a replacement service provider under section 473.388, with respect to
rights-of-way at bus stop and train stop locations, transit shelters, and transit passenger
seating facilities owned by the provider or established pursuant to a vendor contract
with the provider.

(b) "Transit shelter" means a wholly or partially enclosed structure provided for
public use as a waiting area in conjunction with light rail transit, bus rapid transit, or
regular route transit.

Subd. 2.

Design.

(a) A transit authority shall establish design specifications for
establishment and replacement of its transit shelters, which must include:

(1) engineering standards, as appropriate;

(2) maximization of protection from the wind, snow, and other elements, including
but not limited to (i) walls and barriers that fully extend to the ground or base of the
structure, (ii) entrances that are equivalently sized to regular doorways, and (iii) other
than entrances, a fully enclosed facility;

(3) to the extent feasible, inclusion of warming capability at each shelter in which
there is a proportionally high number of transit service passenger boardings; and

(4) full accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

(b) The council shall consult with the Transportation Accessibility Advisory
Committee in establishing the specifications under this subdivision.

Subd. 3.

Maintenance.

A transit authority shall ensure that bus stops and transit
shelters are maintained in good working order and are accessible to all users of the transit
system. This requirement includes but is not limited to:

(1) inspecting automatic doors and entrances on at least a weekly basis and promptly
repairing or replacing any that are not functioning properly;

(2) keeping transit shelters reasonably clean and free from graffiti; and

(3) removing snow and ice in a manner that provides accessibility for the elderly and
persons with disabilities to be able to (i) enter and exit transit shelters and (ii) board and
exit transit buses and trains at the regular boarding and exit points at each stop.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2. SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE BUSES.

By January 1, 2014, the Metropolitan Council, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 3, shall, in consultation with Transportation Accessibility
Advisory Committee, retrofit or replace all buses used in revenue service under Minnesota
Statutes, section 473.386, such that the first step in boarding the bus is located at a height
that is easily accessible to riders of the bus.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 3. APPLICABILITY.

Section 2 applies in the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey,
Scott, and Washington.