Northstar Commuter Train Fares Reduced

MINNEAPOLIS -- Lower ridership numbers has prompted the Metropolitan Council to reduce the Northstar Commuter Rail Line fares by a dollar per trip starting August First. Weekend fares will remain the same and the reduced fares will be in effect until April 30th, 2013.

The weekday, rush hour fares will go from $7 to $6 from outlying stations to downtown Minneapolis. Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland says it's an incentive to get ridership numbers back up to targeted levels.  Siqveland says ridership numbers have fallen below targeted levels and other similar commuter rail lines around the country have increased ridership numbers by lowering fares.

He also says although ridership has fallen, the operating budget is on track and actually under budget.