MVTA Receives Two Awards at Minnesota Public Transit Conference
Burnsville, Minn. – The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) was named Transit System of the Year at the annual Minnesota Public Transit Association (MPTA) conference Oct. 12-14 at the St. Paul River Center. Additionally, MVTA driver Jennifer Ansaripour was named Bus Operator of the Year.
According to MPTA, the “Transit System of the Year” award is “presented to the organization which has demonstrated achievement in efficiency and effectiveness, including reports on ridership, cost, safety, maintenance proficiency, agency policy and administration, and the organization’s achievement of its goals and objectives.” The award was accepted by MVTA Board Chair Will Branning, Vice Chair Gary Hansen, Executive Director Beverley Miller and members of the MVTA staff. The MVTA experienced an action-packed year with many milestones, including:
- Opening of Apple Valley and Cedar Grove Transit Stations (first visible signs of future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Cedar Avenue).
- Technology improvements, including a re-vamped web-site at www.mvta.com and a mobile site (m.mvta.com), use of Google Transit for trip planning and RouteShout to help customers quickly and easily find bus stops, routes and arrival and departure times, and launch of a Facebook page. The Driver Assist System was also officially launched in November 2010.
- Receipt of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Gold Award for Safety, in recognition of the exemplary program developed by MVTA and its provider, Schmitty & Sons.
- Launch of new service to the University of Minnesota and enhanced local service using the Cedar Grove Transit Station as a suburban hub.
- Zero deficiencies for the second year in a row when buses were inspected by MnDOT. The MVTA also completed more than three years of no fleet-related missed trips, despite traveling some 3.75 million miles annually.
- Transit ridership grew in 2010, and the agency continued on pace to set a ridership record in 2011.
The “Bus Operator of the Year” award is presented to an outstanding transit operator, recognizing safety and customer service skills. Jennifer Ansaripour has been driving MVTA routes for Schmitty & Sons for about 10 years. She maintains a stellar record with perfect attendance and no preventable accidents or validated customer complaints.
“She is loved by her riders and is a true professional committed to providing the best possible service to our riding public,” said Dan Schmitt, President of Schmitty & Sons. And, she comes from a family of excellent bus drivers: both of her parents are retired Metro Transit bus operators.
During her tenure, Ansaripour has driven buses on a variety of local and express routes, and she was selected as MVTA’s Driver of the Year in 2005. When presenting the award, Schmitt also commented, “Jennifer is a quick learner, never takes short-cuts on safety and she sets a great example for our new employees,” while an MVTA rider commented, “She is one of the most pleasant, cheerful and chirpy people I’ve ever met! Jennifer is responsible for making this area a little bit happier place to come home to.”
MVTA is the public transportation provider for residents and businesses of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount, and Savage. Call (952) 882-7500 for transit information or visit the MVTAweb-site at www.mvta.com.
Metro Transit Phone Center Reduces Hours
The Transit Information Center will temporarily reduce its hours starting Saturday, Oct. 15.
The new hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The phone center is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
We expect regular hours to return in February.
After hours, you can use the interactive Trip Planner for travel assistance.
Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee opens in north Minneapolis
NEWS FROM CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS
Residents of north Minneapolis will have better access to biking and walking resources when Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee opens Oct. 8 with a grand opening community event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. While Minneapolis has more than 20 bike shops, Venture North, located at 1830 Glenwood Avenue North, will be the first store of its kind in north Minneapolis.
Venture North is partially funded by the City of Minneapolis through its Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and made possible by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The City selected Redeemer Center for Life, a nonprofit community development organization located in the Harrison neighborhood, to operate Venture North. The goal of the initiative is to improve access for affordable physical activity opportunities among north Minneapolis residents.
Venture North will sell high-quality bikes, helmets, locks, gear and walking-related products, as well as provide bike repair and maintenance services. Through a partnership with Minneapolis-based Dogwood Coffee Co., the store will also feature a comprehensive coffee and espresso bar, featuring a special Venture North blend, as well as baked goods.
Community members will be able to take classes at Venture North on bike maintenance, safety and healthy living, as well as join biking, walking and running clubs hosted by the store. Venture North is also providing a unique employment and training program for north Minneapolis youth, including a leadership program for young adults.
Venture North is located at 1830 Glenwood Ave. N. Attendees at Saturday’s Venture North grand opening will get a chance to see the new facility and enjoy food and live entertainment. In conjunction with the Venture North community event, City officials will celebrate the opening of new designated bike lanes on Emerson and Fremont avenues – parallel one-way roads in north Minneapolis. A grand opening parade and bike ride will be held on Oct. 8, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Lowry Avenue North and Fremont Avenue North (across from the North Regional Library), touring through north Minneapolis and ending at Venture North. Visit the City’s website for more information about the latest bike improvements in Minneapolis.
Public Meeting: Arterial Transit Corridor Study
Metro Transit will hold public meetings Oct. 11-18 on a study of 11 urban corridors. These areas have high-ridership bus routes that connect major destinations and are candidates for implementation of “rapid bus” service.
The concept would improve travel speed, increase reliability, enhance the ride and create faster connections. Making these things a reality requires eliminating delays: from cutting the time it takes to board, reducing the time buses wait at traffic lights and lessening time spent in traffic congestion.
A “rapid bus” system would have vehicles that feature low floors and allow boarding from either door. Fares would be paid before boarding – just as on light rail – so more time is spent moving rather than at stops. Trips would be frequent with fewer stops per mile. Stations would have enhanced information displays and better lighting and climate control.
> See an overview of the rapid bus concept for the region
Attend a public meeting to learn more
Tuesday, Oct. 11 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Metro State University, Founders Hall
700 E. 7th St., St. Paul
Nearby bus routes: 61, 63 and 74
Parking ($2.50) is available on Maria St. between E. 6th and 7th streets, across from Founders Hall.
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 to 8 p.m.
Midtown Global Market, basement meeting room
920 E. Lake St., Suite G10, Minneapolis
Nearby bus routes: 5, 21, 27, 39 and 53
Paid parking is available across 10th Avenue from the Midtown Exchange – it can be validated with a purchase from any Midtown Market vendor. Metered parking is also available on Elliot Avenue but cannot be validated.
Thursday, Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Central Library, Doty Board Room, N-280
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
The library is served by many local and express bus routes. Find your route with the Trip Planner.
Public parking is located on 4th St. between Hennepin and Nicollet for $3/hour or $4 for two hours.
Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
Fridley Community Center
6085 7th St. NE, Fridley
Find your route with the Trip Planner.
Give us your thoughts
Tell us what you think about the rapid bus concept. E-mail Metro Transit Service Development at ATCS@metc.state.mn.us.
FHWA Announces New Approach to Calculating Vehicle Miles Travelled
NEWS FROM FHWA
WASHINGTON – With improved technology and better data collection methods now available in states across the country, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has updated the way it calculates annual vehicle miles travelled (VMT) to ensure the agency more accurately captures key transportation data.
VMT refers to the number of miles vehicles travel over a given time period, and is routinely used to measure traffic on America’s roads and bridges and to calculate important statistics including traffic fatalities, fuel efficiency and air quality.
The new methodology does not affect how the federal gas tax is calculated and will not impact Highway Trust Fund revenue or how FHWA distributes highway funds to states.
In 2010, the number and rate of traffic fatalities fell to the lowest levels since 1949, despite a significant increase in the number of miles Americans drove during the year. This new methodology has no effect on overall fatality numbers.
“We regularly review and assess all our data programs to ensure we are using the best available information,” said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez. “This is a good example of how we’re able to develop better ways of reporting critical information.”
In the last decade, states have dramatically improved the way they collect travel data thanks to improved technical equipment for counting and classifying vehicles, better federal guidance on how to gather the information, and a move by FHWA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2007 to mandate states report data on motorcycle travel.
Simultaneously, the discontinuation of the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) in 2002-which was previously collected by the Department of Commerce and used to benchmark vehicle miles travelled-made it critical to look to other, improved data collection methods. The new methodology uses more consistent, complete data gathered directly from the states and ensures more accurate calculations for VMT by vehicle type.
While the revised approach doesn’t impact annual VMT overall, it does change VMT figures for specific vehicle types. For example, VMT for light duty passenger vehicles is lower, resulting in a slightly higher fatality rate. VMT for motorcycles, buses and large trucks are all higher, resulting in lower fatality rates.
Enter the Go-To Card Sweepstakes!
Every week this October, we’re giving away two Kindles and 30 people will win $30 in stored value on their Go-To Card. Register your Go-To Card or add $20 in value to your already registered card for your chance to win.
Register your Go-To Card and become instantly eligible to win. Is your Go-To Card already registered? Simply add at least $20 in stored value in October to qualify. Need a Go-To Card? Purchase and register your new Go-To Card for a chance to win.
Who can enter?
The sweepstakes is only open to adults (18+) who are residents of, attend school in and/or work in following Minnesota counties – Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington county.
How do I register?
To register you must do one of these actions:
- Register in your name a Go-To Card that you already have but is not yet registered
- Add at least $20 in stored value to your already registered Go-To Card
- Buy and register a Go-To Card in your name if you do not already have one (minimum $10 purchase of stored value is required)
What if I have already registered my Go-To Card?
You will need to add at least $20 in stored value to your registered Go-To Card to qualify.
When are the weekly drawings?
There are four (4) weekly drawing periods and winners will be selected on or about the Wednesday after each week (10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/02).
How many winners are there?
Each week, we will randomly select two (2) first prize and thirty (30) second prize winners. First prize winners will receive one (1) Kindle 3G wireless reading device. Second prize winners will win $33 in stored value added to the Go-To Card associated with the winner’s entry into the Sweepstakes.
How will winners be notified?
We will be notifying winners by phone, letter (by postal or overnight delivery) and/or email. To claim your prize, you will need to agree and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility which will be sent to you when you have been notified.
> Register your Go-To Card
> Buy a Go-To Card
> Terms and Conditions
NO PURCHASE NECESSSARY. Certain restrictions apply. Sweepstakes (including free method of entry) subject in all respects to the complete Official Rules available through the Terms and Conditions link above.
Utility Construction Near HERC
NEWS FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY
Significant utility relocation will begin in the area surrounding the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) in Minneapolis in early October, and is scheduled to last until mid-December.
Work will be localized to not cause the entire area to be closed for the full duration of the project, but residents should allow for extra time when traveling due to lane closures and/or temporary full closures of the road.
The following utility relocations will take place:
- Storm sewer replacement and upgrade (City of Minneapolis) – Replacing the storm sewer on Fifth Street from Fifth Avenue North to Seventh Avenue North. This relocation will take approximately four weeks.
- New high pressure gas line (CenterPoint Energy) – Replacing a gas line in Fifth Street from Fifth Avenue North to Sixth Avenue North and a portion of Sixth Avenue South located east of the Holiday Station. This relocation will take approximately three weeks.
- New power line to the HERC (Xcel Energy) – Installing a new power line crossing Sixth Avenue North just east of the HERC and Metro Transit building entrances. This will take approximately two weeks.
- New fiber optic and copper lines (Qwest/Century Link Communications) – The bulk of this work will take place on county property.
Funding for these utility relocations comes from the Hennepin County Capital Improvement budget, and is part of an effort to prepare for future growth and development in the area surrounding Target Field.
Minneapolis Public Health Department Launches the Making it Better Challenge
Making It Better is a community initiative that brings people together to discover, share and celebrate stories that inspire healthy everyday choices for everyone. It’s an open forum anyone can participate in to learn how to help more people have greater access to healthier foods and new opportunities for physical activity.
Making simple changes to improve nutrition and increase physical activity is the best way to reach a healthy weight as individuals and prevent chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease across the broader population. Making It Better inspires changes in our communities that help make the healthy choice the easy choice.
Each of us can make a difference. Many people already are, launching and taking part in initiatives that help our communities become healthier places to live, work and go to school.
What are you doing to make it better? Tell us your story by entering the Making it Better Challenge online at www.makingitbettermn.org
Making it Better is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) community initiative. As part of this work, the Minnesota Department of Health is partnering with theCity of Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support and Olmsted County Public Health to support community initiatives to promote active living and healthy eating.
RFQ to design and construct The Interchange Released
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design and construct The Interchange has been released!
The work will be contracted under a design-build selection process.
The RFQ outlines the need for:
- A three-level parking structure that supports an elevated pedestrian plaza
- A new light rail platform, with corresponding track and bridge structures
- At-grade light rail storage tracks
- A street level plaza area
- Reconstructed intersections at Fifth Street North and Fifth Avenue North and Fifth Street North and Sixth Avenue North
- The design, construction and relocation of the administrative offices for the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center
- Site work improvements, including clearing, grubbing, landscaping, hardscapes and associated utility improvements
The RFQ documents are available online http://www.hennepin.us/contractopportunities or by contacting: Steven Louie, Purchasing and Contract Services Hennepin County Government Center A-1730, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55487-0175, steven.louie@co.hennepin.mn.us Responses to the RFQ must be received no later than 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), Friday, Oct. 28. Hennepin County reserves the right to reject late responses.
Urban Design Guidelines
The first meeting of the Urban Design Guidelines Advisory Group took place on Sept. 28th. The group includes multi-agency and multi-disciplinary representatives who will help identify civic features that may be integrated into the public space(s) to promote daily activities. The initial meeting focused on evaluating possibilities to provide shade and/or shelter in the proposed public spaces.
What is The Interchange?
The Interchange in downtown Minneapolis will unite transit and development creating a civic space connecting multiple transportation options, supporting a vibrant regional economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing mobility. Currently, more than 240 trains arrive and depart daily via Hiawatha Light Rail Transit and Northstar Commuter Rail. An additional 240 trains are expected in 2014, when Central Corridor LRT opens.
Contact The Interchange Project Office at 612-543-7277 or www.theinterchange.net.
