Metro Transit is seeking ideas from the public on ways to improve bus service to connect with the new Central Corridor Light Rail line that's scheduled to begin operating in 2014.
The transit company will hold an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Rondo Public Library, 461 N. Dale St., St. Paul.
At the meeting, Metro Transit will present its revised plan for enhancing service on routes that intersect with the new light rail line. The new plan was forged after bus riders, residents and those who work in the area provided more than 800 comments at open houses held in June.
Based on that feedback, Metro Transit has proposed extending hours on bus routes that connect with what wil be known as the Green Line. It also extended Route 83 service to Como Park, retained service on Marion Street and connecting service to the University of Minnesota at the Huron Blvd. station.
Metro Transit's plan for enhanced bus service includes the area bounded by Hennepin/Larpenteur Avenues on the north, I-35E on the east, the Mississippi River and Lake Street and Marshall Avenue on the south and west, and downtown Minneapolis on the west.
According to the bus company, more than 250,000 people live in the area targeted for improvements. In addition, more than 360,000 people work in the area and 95,000 students attend classes at 14 colleges and universities.
Details of the transit plan is at www.metrotransit.org/centralstudy
