Northstar commuter rail faces scrutiny after 16 million budget and low ridership

The Minnesota Legislature's Transportation Committee is considering bills that could lead to the end of the Northstar Commuter Rail service, a move driven by mounting financial concerns and disappointing ridership numbers. During a recent meeting, committee members highlighted that the Northstar's annual expenses exceed $16 million, with an additional $37 million earmarked for maintenance and capital improvements through 2030. This staggering financial burden has raised alarms among lawmakers, especially given the service's underwhelming performance since its launch in 2009.

In 2023, Northstar generated a mere $324,000 in passenger fare revenue, serving less than 400 riders on average each weekday. This translates to a staggering subsidy of over $116 per ride, prompting one committee member to label the service a "boondoggle." The Northstar was initially projected to attract 4,000 average weekday riders in its first year, but actual numbers fell short at just 1,800. Even in its peak year of 2019, ridership remained below expectations, with only 2,660 average weekday boardings.

The committee's discussions also touched on the Northstar's origins, conceived in the late 1990s to provide transportation between the Twin Cities and the Saint Cloud Metro Area. However, changes in federal funding criteria have led to a reevaluation of the project's viability, with suggestions to terminate the service at Big Lake instead of Saint Cloud.

As the committee weighs its options, the future of the Northstar hangs in the balance. Lawmakers are grappling with the implications of continued taxpayer funding for a service that has consistently failed to meet ridership goals and alleviate congestion. The outcome of this deliberation could reshape transportation options in Minnesota, as the committee seeks to address the pressing concerns of fiscal responsibility and effective public transit.