Ridership is increasing on the NorthStar Commuter Train.
Tuesday, Metro Transit Finance Director Ed Petrie told the Sherburne County Board, ridership reached its highest level in 2017.
“Ridership was 793,796 last year,” he said. “That was our highest ridership in NorthStar history.”
It represented an increase of about 11.6% from 2016 levels. The hike was aided when people decided to take the train because of major road construction on Hwy. 252 into I-94. But the numbers have remained higher even after the project was finished.
“Ridership in 2018 has held from 2017 levels. One thing we’ve noticed on the NorthStar corridor was that whenever there was an event - construction or snow, they would ride the train for a while. Then it would go back to previous levels,” said Petrie. “With this construction, we’ve noticed the customers have come in and they’ve held, which is a huge positive for us in 2018.”
Because of the increase in ridership, revenues from fares were about $99,000 above projections. Petrie said they’re forecasting another 1.8% increase in ridership in 2019.
He said it was a good year all-around for NorthStar. Trains were on time 97% of the time and 96% of passengers were satisfied or very satisfied with NorthStar service.
The system had a $3.7 million savings in expenses. Salaries and benefits were $1.2 million lower. There was a $400,000 savings in professional and technical expenses.
“We trained our own staff so we don’t have to hire outside consultants,” said Petrie.
Because of better weather, there were fewer major repairs, which resulted in $600,000 in savings on parts.
Lower fuel costs saved $300,000, and casualty and liability claims were also down, which resulted in another $800,000 in savings.
Petrie said they’re projecting a $2 million surplus and $2,657,278 in ridership revenues for the year.
Funding Agreement
The board approved the subordinate funding agreement with the Metropolitan Council for NorthStar for 2019.
The agreement spells out the contributions by all the funding partners. Sherburne County’s share is $1,415,223 for 2019. The other partners are Anoka and Hennepin counties and the Metropolitan Council.
