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<br />confirm that at the very least, the remaining capital costs can continue to be funded <br />until expended. <br />b. The request should be presented to theChicago FTA office, and local FHWA office. <br />The Mn/DOT Office of Transit does not have the authority to approve an exception to <br />the federal guidance. <br />c. If this is approved, which is doubtful, the City would have close to an additional year <br />of funding for Ramsey Star Express. <br />d. If this is not approved and the following options are not viable, the City should meet <br />with Met Council grant staff to request a change in the scope from the original <br />solicitation to allow unused funds to be applied toward capital expenditures. We <br />would have to determine what these capital expenditures would be. <br /> <br />2. Amend the contract with First Transit to adjust the compensation so that most of the cost is <br />computed as capital (bus lease) and operation cost is reduced. We have found precedence <br />for this occurring for Oakland County, CA. They had a similar situation and adjusted the ratio <br />of capital and operational expenditure. We are trying to get the details on this, but it sounds <br />like they just did this without notifying the FTA/FHWA. <br /> <br />3. Find a funding partner to help cover the cost of the operation: <br />a. The Northstar Commuter Rail service has some gaps in its service plan. <br />Specifically, the first route begins in Big Lake at 5:59 am and arrives at <br />Downtown Minneapolis at 6:40 am. This is too late for employees who have to <br />connect to other locations and be to work by 7 am (for example, employees at <br />the VA hospital). The Ramsey Star Express has a 5:20 am departure with arrival <br />at Downtown Minneapolis at 6:00 am. This route will continue to service transit <br />riders along the corridor who need an earlier arrival. There is interest in a midday <br />and evening route too. This supports the overall Northstar Corridor and it could <br />be proposed to Anoka County, NCDA and/or the Metropolitan Council to <br />participate in operation costs. <br />b. Request the NCDA, County and or Metropolitan Council participate in funding <br />service from Ramsey Town Center to Anoka Rail Station. If the other alternative <br />is no service at all, this option could at least still be used to show ridership <br />originating at Ramsey Town Center. <br />4. City cover cost of operating Ramsey Star Express. <br />a. Removing the capital costs, the operating cost is estimated at $20,000/month. <br />b. The final fares have not been determined for Northstar Commuter Rail, but it could <br />potentially b~ twice as much as Ramsey Star Express ($3 one way for Ramsey Star <br />Express versus $6 one way for NC Rail from Elk River). The economics, and better <br />schedule, of Ramsey Star Express could attract additional riders. This will result in <br />reduced operating costs through increased fare reimbursements. <br /> <br />30f4 <br />