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[FROM SECTION 4, "METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN, 20101 <br />(pages 37-46 of the Transportation Development Guide/Policv Plan) <br />LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICES <br />Light rail transit is considered a viable component of the regional transit system because, in some <br />corridors, it can help achieve certain regional objectives more effectively than buses. These objectives <br />include: <br />Improving the cost-effectiveness of the regular -route transit system in particular and the <br />transportation system in general; <br />Reducing congestion and the need for additional highway facilities; <br />Providing better service to transit dependent people; <br />Allowing for intensification of development along major transportation corridors and in the <br />downtown areas. <br />The 1986 Long Range Transit Analysis concluded that light rail transit can be a viable transit option in <br />six corridors in the Metropolitan Area. This determination was based on an assessment of potential <br />light rail alignments throughout the regional against efficiency and effectiveness criteria reflective of the <br />above objectives. The six corridors were grouped in two priority categories based upon how well the <br />evaluation criteria were met: <br />First -Priority Corridors <br />Central Corridor (Between Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns) <br />Minneapolis South Corridor <br />Second -Priority Corridors <br />Minneapolis North Corridor (also known as the Northeast Corridor) <br />Minneapolis Northwest Corridor <br />Minneapolis Southeast Corridor <br />Minneapolis Southwest Corridor <br />The above priorities reflect regional policies and objectives based on the Long Range Transit Analysis and <br />form the light rail transit component of the Council's 2010 metropolitan transit system. The term <br />"priority" reflects the degree to which the corridors meet regional objectives and They -should not be <br />construed as an implementation schedule for specific projects that are subject to funding opportunities <br />and constraints and socioeconomic impact reviews. <br />Additional Corridors <br />Additional corridors have been considered by county regional railroad authorities in their comprehensive <br />light rail transit system plans or other studies. The Regional Transit Board evaluates these additional <br />corridors as part of its light rail transit development and financial plan or review of a county <br />comprehensive light rail transit plan. The Regional Transit Board may recommend additional corridors <br />to the Council, which will add them to the metropolitan transit system if they meet the performance <br />evaluation measures in Policy 2. <br />3 <br />