Northstar rail on its way

Public transit coaches and the Northstar Corridor Rail plan to connect commuters from St. Cloud to the Twin Cities in November 2009.

"We know that there's commuters out there that can take advantage of it," said Tom Cruikshank, director of planning and marketing for Metro Bus.

The Northstar Corridor expansion plan is commuter transportation that consists of two phases. Phase one: the Northstar Corridor rail will stretch from Minneapolis to Big Lake running beside Highway 10. Phase two: public transit coaches will extend from Big Lake to St. Joseph.

Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier is leading the Northstar Extension Committee in phase two.

"This will be a great opportunity for SCSU students," Lenzmeier said.

In St. Cloud there will be two stops, one off of Highway 10 and the other off of Opportunity Drive and Interstate 94.

"The Campus Clipper Northeast will connect with the stops on Highway 10 [in St. Cloud] and students can take the Clipper to campus," Cruikshank said.

According to Cruikshank, an estimated cost for a round trip from Minneapolis to St. Cloud will be anywhere from $22 to $25 round trip, however nothing is finalized.

"It's close to me and I would definitely consider taking it. Even if I did get money for a car, it would probably be cheaper to take the rail," said Jenny Beckman, a car-less SCSU student from Maple Grove.

Cruikshank pointed out ways students could save riding the rail.

"I think if you look at your pocketbook and how much it costs per credit and if you could live at home and commute by using public transportation instead of driving, you're going to save

on insurance, fuel, wear and tear on the car, not have to pay for housing -- that's a huge savings," said Cruikshank.

"The Northstar Corridor and Extension turns the commuting experience into productive time," said Lenzmeier, "for example you could have your laptop and be crankin' out your paper on your way up to school."

The goal is to have Wi-Fi available on the trains and buses, said Cruikshank.

"I could do my homework on your way up to school and surf the web," said Beckman.

There will be 4 buses commuting from Big Lake and back Monday-Friday. One will commute on I-94 and the other three on highway 10.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate the buses, if ridership is demonstrated, and extend the Northstar Corridor to St. Cloud, said Lenzmeier.

Currently, regarding the completion of phase two, "we're close," said Lenzmeier.

"We have budgets, we have a schedule, we're working on the park and ride lots, and getting building permits," said Cruikshank.

"I think there are many people out there that are going to say, 'look this is a great alternative,'" said Cruikshank.

For more information on schedules and the Northstar corridor and commuter coach plan check out www.mn-GetOnBoard.com.