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MARCH 2012
Events calendar

Send us your events!
   
March 5
Minnesota Bike Summit

March 6
Jefferson Avenue Bikeway open house

March 7
Transportation Summit

March 7
Rapid Bus open house in  St. Paul

March 8
Metro Transit Central Corridor/bus routes open house - Rondo Library

March 20
Metro Transit Central Corridor/bus routes open house - JJ Hill School

March 21
Prior Avenue bike lanes City Council hearing

March 21
Making public transit cool lecture at the Walker

More events...
 
Living life while
on your bike 

Living life while on a bike video
This cyclist documented  382 days "living life while  on his bike" in honor of his father who taught him to love biking  Watch

Quick links

Turn work meetings into exercise more...

Chamber survey shows strong statewide light rail support more...

New Google Transit helps users more...

How to wean people off of cars more...

Nominate a worthy Sustainable St. Paul Award winner more...

How to start using public transit more...

You can't use old tools to plan for new streets more...

How to make public transit awesome more...

An Oscar for alternative transportation more...

How the need for speed alters land use more...

Want a bike that folds?
more...
 
What we're following
  
Alliance Biking/Walking

Enhancements make every user more safe -
USDOT

Governor names Transportation Finance Advisory committee -
MnDOT

Twin Cities Park and Ride use hits high mark - MinnPost 
 
MnDOT seeks input from bicyclists for planning -
Pioneer Press

Northwest Quadrant Transportation Study -
SAP Comm Council

Rapid Bus potential for Snelling & West 7th -
Metro Transit

St. Paul Smart Trips logo 
We envision a St. Paul where sustainable transportation is the safe and easy choice.

www.smart-trips.org
Time is running out! register for next week's Summit

What: St. Paul Transportation Summit
When: Wednesday March 7th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (add to calendar)
Science Museum of Minnesota, Discovery Room (map)

Hear updates from transportation leaders on programs, polices and innovations that impact St. Paul now and in the future.

On the agenda:
Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh
Updates from Central Corridor project, Metro Transit and Nice Ride
Businesses and transit from St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
Networking with your peers
Informational displays
An overview of Smart Trips promotions and initiatives

RSVP by March 2 to ensure we'll have a lunch for you.

Speak out for bike improvements on Prior Avenue

Share the road signage A Public Hearing on Prior Avenue bike treatments is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Saint Paul City Hall.

The project includes striping bike lanes from Marshall to University and adding Sharrow pavement markings from Marshall to Summit. Prior Avenue is an important north/south route for bicyclists in St. Paul. The proposed improvements will enhance the safety of the corridor in critical sections. Users are encouraged to attend the hearing and share thoughts with council members. Learn more
West 7th St. bus routes pilot new Metro Transit signs
Bus Stop Sign new 3-1-2012
Metro Transit is testing a new bus stop sign design along West 7th Street in St. Paul from Highway 5 to the Downtown Zone limit.
 
Each sign has Metro Transit's web address and phone number, as well as a unique stop number. Having a visible stop number will help riders using NexTrip via mobile devices to access real-time bus arrival and departure information for that specific stop while they wait.  

You can share your feedback about the new signs by emailing NexTrip@metrotransit.org
Get ready to be Commuter Challenged
CommuterChallenge2012

Take the challenge to travel any way other than driving alone between April 1 and June 30 for your chance to win prizes. The annual Commuter Challenge kicks off in a month, and it's not too early to start spreading the word and making plans.

 

Taking the challenge is easy - pledge to replace one drive-alone a trip any time from April 1 to June 30 and you are entered to win. That's it. Register online or in person at our office or at one of the many Commuter Challenge fairs we'll be holding throughout the spring.  

 

For organizations: Promote the Challenge at your workplace. You can order promotional materials or schedule a commuter fair online.

 

For individuals: After April 1, register and learn more about the great prizes.    

 

Keep the challenge going: Take the Challenge a step further and create an account and track your trips on the all new online trip-tracker to be eligible for monthly prizes year-round.  

Central Corridor construction back in full swing

Major construction on the Central Corridor Light Rail Line fired up this week in downtown and along University Avenue in St. Paul. Expect this year's construction, which is planned to wind down for the season in November, to have frequent lane closures and full road closures at a few points.

Keep up to date:
See the most recent access maps and sign up for a weekly construction newsletter here.

Find out if your bus route will be affected by the construction here.
Start Parking $mart and save big on parking costs
ParkingSmart logo
If you commute to downtown St. Paul, you can save half of your monthly parking costs or more by joining our new Parking $mart program. St. Paul Smart Trips will cover half the cost of a carpool or vanpool's monthly parking contract through the end of 2012 in one of three downtown St. Paul ramps. Participating ramps include the Smith Avenue Transit Center, Capital City Plaza and the Jackson Ramp.

Start recruiting carpool partners through Metro Transit's rideshare planner, and visit our website for information about how to qualify and register. Contact Damian Goebel at 651-224-8555, ext. 24 or damian@smart-trips.org to learn more. 

Commute SMARTER. Park CHEAPER
March is key for federal transportation legislation

Local nonprofit partner Transit for Livable Communities (TLC) is following federal legislation that's working its way through the House and Senate, with a looming deadline of March 31 to enact a new transportation law or further extend the existing law.

According to TLC, "Transit advocates scored a major victory in forcing House leadership to restore dedicated funding for transit (yes!), but the House bill, HR7, is not fixed with that victory alone (see 10 big problems with the bill here and a news release from TLC and partners here). The Senate bill-MAP-21-is much better, though still needs amendments to restore dedicated funding for bike/ped projects, among other needs."

To stay up-to-date on progress in both the House and Senate, connect with TLC or follow America Bikes or Transportation for America and sign up for Action Alerts from Smart Trips

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