2007 Minnesota Statutes

174.256 PARK-AND-RIDE PROGRAM.
    Subdivision 1. Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to encourage citizens of Minnesota
to transfer from low-occupancy vehicles to multioccupancy vehicles, to reduce the use of
the automobile and provide for more efficient usage of existing facilities in heavily traveled
corridors and congested areas, to divert automobile drivers from parking spaces in metro areas, to
decrease low-occupancy vehicle miles driven and the congestion, pollution, energy consumption,
highway damage, and other costs associated with highway use, and to increase the efficiency and
productivity of and benefit from public investments in public park-and-ride facilities and systems
in the state, reducing the need for increases in urban land used for parking. It is also the purpose
of this section to encourage the use of vanpools, car pools, and ride sharing by the citizens of
the state.
    Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section the following terms have the meanings
given them in this subdivision:
(a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation.
(b) "Park-and-ride facility" means a facility consisting of a park-and-ride lot where
commuters' automobiles are parked and, within a reasonable walking distance, a station or some
transfer point where commuters board the transit mode.
(c) "Transit mode" includes transportation by bus, car pool, van-pool, and other similar
services.
(d) "Exclusive use park-and-ride lot" means a parking lot that is intended to be used
exclusively for park-and-ride purposes, is constructed with public money, and is located within
100 miles of a central business district.
(e) "Joint use park-and-ride lot" means a parking lot that is intended to be used for other
purposes in addition to park and ride and is located within 100 miles of a central business district.
(f) "Fringe parking lot" means a parking lot located outside but near a central business district.
    Subd. 3. General powers and duties. (a) The commissioner shall have the power to:
(1) develop and monitor a comprehensive park-and-ride facility program throughout the
state. The program shall coordinate and provide money for the development of a statewide
program of park-and-ride facilities, including joint use park-and-ride lots, exclusive use
park-and-ride lots, and fringe park-and-ride lots;
(2) offer, use, and apply the information developed pursuant to clause (1) to assist and
advise political subdivisions and recipients of financial assistance in the planning, promotion,
development, operation, and evaluation of park-and-ride service facilities. The political
subdivision or eligible recipient is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the facility
by using local money;
(3) act upon request as the designated agent of any eligible person for the receipt and
disbursal of federal money;
(4) contract for or provide services as needed in the design or construction of park-and-ride
facilities; and
(5) establish rules necessary for implementation of the program.
(b) The commissioner shall perform the duties and exercise the powers under this section in
coordination with and in furtherance of statewide, regional, and local transportation plans and
transportation development programs.
    Subd. 4. Eligibility; applications. A statutory or home rule charter city, county, school
district, independent board, or agency is eligible to receive financial assistance through the
park-and-ride grant program. Applications for grants shall be approved or denied by the
commissioner within 120 days of receipt.
    Subd. 5. Evaluation. The commissioner shall evaluate or contract for the evaluation of
park-and-ride programs developed under this section and submit a report to the legislature by
January 15, 1981, including the following information:
(1) the amounts of money spent or obligated for the park-and-ride program by the
commissioner and the persons receiving those amounts;
(2) the number and type of public park-and-ride lots in use and a physical description of each;
(3) the types of lots in use, number of individuals served, and areas covered;
(4) a comparison of the cost of providing different types of service;
(5) a review of the achievements or failures of the project, problems encountered in
implementation, and conclusions and recommendations concerning future action.
History: 1980 c 579 s 14; 1Sp1981 c 4 art 2 s 13; 1985 c 248 s 70