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timing. Councilmember Elvig stated this is a multi -modal opportunity and a lot of grants and <br /> studies have shown Ramsey is the right place and this is the right time. He noted this is why <br /> Ramsey has been successful in obtaining grants. He felt it would be a mistake to take away bus <br /> service and not provide service enhancements. <br /> Mr. Byers stated he will ask service - planning staff to meet with businesses and people in the <br /> community about the ridership they could expect. He explained the study they completed <br /> indicates they will not see riders today so that is part of the issue. In addition, a bus to downtown <br /> when farther out is less attractive but there may be possibilities for local transit that their service <br /> development department should look at. <br /> Councilmember Elvig indicated the City's bus riders have been generous with their time to come <br /> in as a group and discuss what does and does not work for them. <br /> Mr. Byers stated he can commit to meeting several times over the next year to talk with riders <br /> about their concerns with the train and bus and options. He explained the guaranteed ride home <br /> program, a free service upon application that provides vouchers for taxi rides back home of $25 <br /> each quarter and can be combined. Mr. Byers stated this program does not get advertised enough <br /> and they will want to talk to current bus riders about that option. He noted they also hope to <br /> attract other riders, beyond bus riders, to grow ridership. <br /> Councilmember Strommen stated part of what the City is investing in is Northstar and access to a <br /> transit system. She indicated she is a former bus commuter and agreed that flexibility is the key. <br /> Councilmember Strommen explained that she had to drive to Anoka, which took half of the time <br /> of getting downtown. Once downtown, however, you need to know the different bus routes to <br /> get to your destination. She felt lack of flexibility became a deterrent for people riding the train <br /> or the bus and it would lower rider's risk if there are more options and flexibility. In addition, it <br /> will also reach Metro Transit ridership goals faster. <br /> Mr. Byers advised that throughout the entire system, they are not seeing a lot of weekend <br /> demand since the system was built as a Monday- Friday commuter line. However, they are <br /> hearing that customers want to get home during the middle of the day. Mr. Byers stated they are <br /> talking with BNSF about providing mid -day service even if it results in reducing weekend <br /> service. They currently run 72 trains a week on the Northstar line and are determining whether <br /> those trains are at the right time to serve as many as possible to build ridership. Mr. Byers stated <br /> NCDA has started a mid -day return trip on Friday for Northstar riders and maybe it should be <br /> better advertised. <br /> Mayor Ramsey stated he thinks students will use the Northstar to the Ramsey station and then a <br /> bus to get to the college, if that option is offered. In addition, the Veterans Clinic will be <br /> opening this week so that traffic needs to be factored in. Mayor Ramsey stated he will be <br /> hesitant to enter into a TTD without some ancillary service being provided. He asked if the City <br /> can enter the TTD at one -half the tax rate and pay the rest when another service, like an MTC <br /> bus, is provided. <br /> City Council Work Session / November 7, 2011 <br /> Page 3of10 <br />