Light Rail Transit in the Twin Cities
July 3rd, 2005 Posted in Transportation
When I returned from my trip to Los Angeles I decided to take public transportation home. Taking the bus home from the airport used to be a pretty easy deal. But now that the Twin Cities have light rail, it’s not quite as easy.
Light rail runs from the Mall of America to the airport and on up to Minneapolis. And they’ve integrated the bus system and light rail to the point that only one bus now stops at the airport, instead of the several dozen that used to. Instead they moved them on up the light rail line, which means you have to take the light rail up to a new transit hub to find your bus. It basically adds an extra transfer. Now I know why light rail ridership has been so high.
Though I suppose it makes sense. If you’re going to put in light rail, you might as well make it a central part of the system. So I had the opportunity to ride the light rail, which was pretty cool. Granted the airport could use some better signage directing you to the light rail when you get off your plane [apparently baggage is the only important thing--but if you didn't check baggage you'd most likely be walking the wrong direction].
The station at the airport is pretty cool (see pic above) with its massive underground tunnels. I had to snap a few pics, which made me feel like the terrorist (I’d say tourist, but snapping pics of infrastructure just doesn’t seem touristy). The train was pretty cool, easy and convenient. I just wish we had one in St. Paul (though I’m not so sure if University Avenue is the best location).
Celebrating my 30th birthday with clean water and a clean shave.
One Response to “Light Rail Transit in the Twin Cities”
By Josh on Sep 1, 2005
Strange… Steph and I were at that exact subway station, standing right there almost exactly one week ago. I thought I recognized it when I saw it, and now I know why!