SF 1128

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/22/2012 08:43am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; 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.

new text begin [473.41] TRANSIT SHELTERS AND STOPS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (a) "Transit authority" means:
new text end

new text begin (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;
new text end

new text begin (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
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Transit shelter" means a wholly or partially enclosed structure provided for
public use as a waiting area in conjunction with regular route transit or guideway service,
as defined in section 174.93, subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Design specifications. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 1, 2012, the Metropolitan Council
shall establish uniform design specifications for transit shelters. The design specifications
must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) engineering standards, as appropriate;
new text end

new text begin (2) maximization of protection from the rain, 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) walls and barriers that fully extend to the ceiling or roof of the structure,
and (iii) a fully enclosed facility other than entrances;
new text end

new text begin (3) warming capability at each shelter in which there is a proportionally high number
of transit service passenger boardings; and
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new text begin (4) full accessibility for the elderly and persons with disabilities, including but not
limited to compliance with the requirements for accessibility of public buildings under
section 326B.106, subdivision 9.
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall consult with cities, replacement service provider under section
473.388, and the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee in establishing the
design specifications under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Construction and retrofit. new text end

new text begin (a) A transit shelter that is constructed or
established by a transit authority, whether as a replacement shelter or as a shelter at a
new location, must be in compliance with the design specifications established under
subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) By January 1, 2013, a transit authority shall retrofit when feasible, or otherwise
replace, all existing transit shelters. The design specifications under subdivision 2 do not
apply to a retrofitted transit shelter under this paragraph, except that the retrofitted transit
shelter must be in compliance with the requirements under subdivision 2, paragraph
(a), clauses (2) and (3).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Maintenance. new text end

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

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

new text begin (2) keeping transit shelters reasonably clean and free from graffiti; and
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Availability of transit shelter information. new text end

new text begin The council shall maintain
in a centralized location on a Web site information on transit shelters, including but not
limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) the design specifications established under subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of annual transit shelter construction, replacement, and retrofit
activities; and
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new text begin (3) summary financial data on the annual costs of transit shelter construction,
retrofits, and maintenance.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE BUSES.
new text end

new text begin By January 1, 2012, the Metropolitan Council, as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 3, shall, in consultation with the 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.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPLICABILITY.
new text end

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