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Top Ten Reasons to Support Northstar:

1.    Northstar will save commuters significant travel time, meaning more time with families.

According to analysis prepared for the FTA, Northstar will save commuters nearly 900,000 hours in travel time every year compared to the next best transit alternative.

Commuter rail tends to serve those who own a car (sometimes two) but choose to ride the train to reduce commuting time. This helps to reduce congestion. (One study showed that 70 percent of bus riders use the bus because they don't drive or have no car available. For train riders, this figure was 17 percent.)

2.    Northstar is the best way to efficiently add needed transportation capacity to a fast-growing region of the state.

Northstar will be operational more quickly than any other alternative, while taking three times the amount of cars off the road as a bus system could. It would take 200 buses to carry the same as commuter rail service. Northstar will carry the equivalent of 1.5 lanes of highway traffic at peak travel times.

3.    Northstar will support continued economic growth in Minnesota.

A strong transportation system is critical to the economic vitality of our state. Being able to efficiently move commerce, attract qualified employees and customers to our companies requires that we have a balanced transportation system that effectively uses highways, roads and transit together. Commuter Rail is a critical step toward building that system.

4.    Northstar is cost-effective.

The Northstar project has undergone a number of analyses over the last few years, all showing that commuter rail is the most cost-effective option for the Northstar Corridor. Northstar will operate on existing tracks, so construction costs are significantly less than other options. Adding a lane each way to Highway 10 and 35W would be nearly four times as expensive and adding a dedicated busway is nearly six times more costsly than commuter rail per passenger trip.

5.    Northstar can be operational quickly.

No major highway improvements are scheduled or funded for this corridor through 2020. By using existing tracks, the construction time for Northstar commuter rail is substantially less than new roads or busways. With state funding this year, passengers would be able to ride Northstar Commuter Rail by 2009.

6.    Northstar will provide a reliable transportation option.

In any weather, Northstar will offer riders a predictable 35 minute commute from Elk River to Minneapolis — by car the typical commute is 50-70 minutes in good weather and much longer in bad weather.

7.    The public supports and will use Northstar commuter rail.

In the most recent public opinion survey conducted in December 2005, 75 percent of Northstar Corridor residents said they support funding for Northstar. Support extends beyond the corridor , with 66 percent of Minnesotans statewide saying they support Nortshtar. The survey also showed that 54 percent of corridor residents are very likely to use Northstar for one or more purposes

8.    Northstar is developed and supported by local governments.

The 30 counties, cities and townships of the Northstar Corridor developed the commuter rail proposal after studying the long-term transportation needs of their residents. They have pledged to fund $48.2 million of the construction costs of the project and to help fund operating costs.

9.    The federal government will pay half of Northstar's construction costs.

Northstar's construction costs will be approximately $320 million (FY 2008). The federal government will provide a 50 percent funding match to the combined state and local contributions to the project.

10.    Northstar will take 5,000 cars off the road at peak travel times.

Northstar service is designed to provide a transportation service when commuters need it most — during the morning and evening rush hours. The average Twin Cities commuter is spending $722 a year in lost time and fuel. Northstar gives commuters an alternative.