Commissioner of transportation and Metropolitan Council required to request approval to discontinue Northstar passenger rail operations, and report required.
Impact
If the FTA approves the request to discontinue Northstar operations, the Commissioner and Council will subsequently be required to furnish a comprehensive plan to terminate these operations. This plan must be presented within 90 days of receiving federal approval. The bill's effective date will take effect the day after it is finally enacted and will apply specifically to counties including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington, essentially the areas serviced by the Northstar line.
Summary
House File 2836 mandates that the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council seek federal approval to cease Northstar passenger rail operations. The Northstar rail service operates between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake, with stops in several cities. The bill requires the Commissioner and the Council to submit a formal request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), detailing that the state will not reimburse for federal funds utilized in the service's operations. Following this request, the Council and Commissioner must report to the legislative committees overseeing transportation policy and finance within a specific timeframe regarding the FTA's response.
Contention
The discussions surrounding HF2836 may involve diverse perspectives on public transportation funding and the future of commuter rail services in the state. There might be advocates for maintaining the Northstar service as a valuable transportation option for commuting and regional connectivity, countered by fiscal considerations and the necessity of alignment with federal transportation policies. Stakeholders may have differing opinions on the necessity of rail services versus other forms of public transportation or the allocation of state transportation funds, which could reflect broader discussions on transportation strategies in Minnesota.
Commissioner of transportation and the Metropolitan Council required to request approval to discontinue Northstar passenger rail operations, and report required.