2040 Comprehensive Plan: Envision Shakopee

TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES

DESIGNATE BUS STOPS FOR FIXED-ROUTE LOCAL BUS SERVICES Residents participating in the public outreach process tended to be aware of the commuter express services available at Shakopee’s three main park and ride locations. Few were aware of options for local circulation within the community. In fact, many of the transit service improvements residents envisioned for their community already exist—just not in forms residents find easy to understand and use. While today’s flag stop system provides riders with more flexible service, it also confuses potential riders. Some locations do have posted bus stop signs, but these do not include information on which route or routes serve the stop. Working with MVTA to establish official bus stops, with route and schedule information, could help provide the type of transit options Shakopee residents want by making existing services more visible and accessible to new riders. Establishing official bus stops could also help target investments in improved pedestrian crossings to locations where they would most expand safe and convenient access to fixed bus routes. Availability of door-to-door Dial-A-Ride service costs more to provide than fixed-route services. Coordinating improved access to fixed-route services both expands mobility options and reduces burden on Dial-A-Ride services. These improvements, combined with increased residential and employment density in and around downtown, would help the Emerging Market Area II transit market designation, discussed previously, better attain a friendly transit environment, which includes Downtown Shakopee and neighboring properties.

PURSUE INTEGRATION WITH REGIONAL TRANSIT NETWORK BEYOND COMMUTER SERVICES In addition to voicing support for commuter services from Shakopee’s park and rides to Downtown Minneapolis, residents engaged through the public outreach process expressed interest in expanding late-night and weekend services that could allow public transit to be a more reliable option for purposes other than the typical suburb-to-center- city commutes. It was unclear how aware residents are of existing transit connections to places like the Mall of America and Eden Prairie. Some of these existing services may provide the type of connections residents desire. In addition, the ongoing U.S. Highway 169 Mobility Study is considering options that would support the implementation of highway bus rapid transit operating in restricted lanes along U.S. Highway 169 between Shakopee and Downtown Minneapolis. The goal for this corridor is to connect it to the planned METRO Green Line Extension (Southwest LRT) and the planned American Boulevard Arterial BRT Line, as well as service the existing park and ride lots and the planned lot at Pioneer Trail. If implemented this enhanced service would provide more frequent and reliable, all-day service.

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