The future of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line will be the topic of discussion in December when county commissioners along the rail line meet with state transportation officials.
Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle supports extending the Northstar Commuter Rail Line to St. Cloud. But, he doesn't agree with a St. Cloud lawmaker's plan on how to accomplish it.
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.
Metro Transit officials have delayed the resumption of Northstar commuter rail service because damage caused by a weekend freight train derailment in Fridley is taking longer to repair.
There's some concern that new members and new leadership on the Anoka County Board of Commissioners could derail plans to extend the Northstar Commuter Rail Line to St. Cloud.