Northstar Rail Trips to and from Fridley Up by 10 Percent over 2010

Trips to and from Fridley on the Northstar Commuter Rail line increased by 10 percent in the first three months of 2011, compared to the same period last year.

Fridley, the final stop before inbound trains reach downtown Minneapolis, is , accounting for only about 5 percent of ridership.

But the station's ridership outpaced the 6 percent growth the rail line as a whole saw in the first quarter.

In January through March this year, Fridley saw 7,936 trips made, up from 7,192 in 2010.

Neither year's ridership figures for the first quarter included fans attending Minnesota Twins games, who boost the rail line's numbers during the long baseball season beginning in April.

'Long Curve'
Northstar Commuter Rail and the Fridley station have been the target of negative comments and sharply worded asides by citizens speaking during public hearings or open time at Fridley City Council meetings.

At last week's meeting, the occasion was the continuation of a public hearing on creation of a transit-oriented development (TOD) overlay zone around the Northstar Station that started at the council's Feb. 7 meeting.

"I have been trying to catch that train since it started," said Fridley resident Michele Livingston, referencing infrequent, commuter-oriented service. "It's been a monster."

Mayor Scott Lund acknowledged the criticism he has heard. "Some people think it's a total failure," he said.

Community Development Director Scott Hickok urged inclusion of the neighborhood in the TOD zone, and said station-area growth would take place on "a long curve." He cited development in Chicago suburbs such as Palatine that lie along that region's commuter rail lines.

"Palatine 35-40 years ago is like Fridley today," Hickok said.

'Not for Everybody'
Anoka County Commissioner Jim Kordiak likewise took the long view.

"I'd like to see the Fridley station far more busy than it is today," Kordiak told the council. "Will it work in Hyde Park over the next 10, 20, 30 years? I really think so."

Kordiak said his wife has made such good friends riding the Northstar train that they went to Jamaica together. He said Medtronic and run shuttle buses to the station.

"It's not for everybody," Kordiak said. "We built it for the long term."