HomeMy WebLinkAbout7A - Prior Lake Transit Services Update
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MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
PRESENTATION:
4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
August 4, 2008
7A
Jane Kansier, Building and Transportation Services Director
UPDATE ON CITY OF PRIOR LAKE TRANSIT SERVICES
Since 2002, when the City first began operation of Laker Lines, there has been a
consistent annual increase in ridership. As a result, the City has continued to
increase service options. In July, 2007, the City partnered with the City of
Shakopee and Scott County to begin operation of BlueXpress. This partnership
includes construction of the South bridge 500-stall park and ride facility,
acquisition of a new motor coach, and expansion of available commuter routes
from 6 to 16.
The increase in gas prices, especially since January, 2008, has resulted in an
increased demand for transit services. The BlueXpress has experienced
significant increases in ridership, as has the rest of the region. The increased
demand presents both opportunities and challenges for transit in the upcoming
years. These include:
. Eagle Creek Transit Station. This new 500+ stall park and ride facility is
scheduled for construction with the CSAH 21 construction. Since the location
was originally determined, Tollefson Development, the previous property
owner, sold the property to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
This sale changed the potential funding sources for the park and ride (e.g"
available grant money). Scott County, along with the cities of Prior Lake and
Shakopee, is working with the SMSC, the Met Council and other sources to
find funding solutions that will enable construction of the park and ride on
schedule.
. New YMCA. The construction of the new YMCA means an exciting new
facility for the City. It also means the relocation of the existing Shepherd's
Path park and ride facility. Construction vehicles on the site will leave no
room for parking or bus lanes, so City staff worked with Shepherd's Path to
relocate the park and ride facility, Effective Monday, August 4th, the new park
and ride is located at Safe Haven for Youth, on the west side of McKenna
Road, We expect this to be a relatively short-term location. Once the Eagle
Creek site is complete, this park and ride will be eliminated.
. The Local Laker Link has been very successful in 2008. In the first 3 weeks
of operation (June 9-:30) there were almost as many riders as there were in
all of 2007. The completion of McKenna Crossing, Club Prior, and the future
YMCA will increase the demand for circulator service. As these facilities and
others like them grow, upcoming discussions may include the possibility of
expanding our summer circulator service, providing year-round service, and
partnering with Shakopee and Scott County to provide an area-wide service.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
Staff will provide a brief PowerPoint presentation to update the Council on
current and future transit efforts.
Councilor Erickson is the Council's appointed member to the Transit Review
Board, and may wish to offer additional comments.
RECOMMENDED No Council action is required,
MOTION:
Reviewed 1JftL
Frank Boyles, C!J9Vr