The Gateway Corridor Commission plans to decide this summer which type of transit would work best to get commuters from St. Paul to Hudson, WI, along Interstate 94, with connections to Minneapolis on the West, and Eau Claire, WI, on the east.

Light rail transit (LRT), bus rapid transit (BRT), a combination of bus rapid transit and a managed lane (similar to a MnPASS lane) and a no-build option are all under consideration.

Related: Bus Rapid Transit Options Top List for the Gateway Corridor

As part of its decision-making process, the commission held open houses in March and April in St. Paul, Hudson, Eau Claire and Woodbury to allow the public to give feedback on the alternatives.

Opinions expressed at the open house in Woodbury ranged from support for light rail, to a preference for constructing more roads over transit.

Here’s a sampling of what those who attended the April 5 open house in Woodbury had to say:

• “I would much prefer the LRT. As a daily bus rider, I know the ease and speed of LRT are a huge improvement over the bus, especially for an older clientele. It’s also much more environmentally friendly.”
• “No light rail, no trains! Too costly, this is not New York City. Cheapest is best. What is wrong with more highway lanes? You are not truly considering those of us who want to use our cars.”
• “Why do we even consider trains when we have such a small population? Why not buses?”
• “I prefer Alt 3 – BRT. 1) Provides similar schedule as LRT for half the cost — ridership may improve with familiarity 2) Better economic development and usability than managed lane – boarding on bridge is awkward 3) More ridership than managed lane for similar costs — better stations at 3M and Sun Ray 4) Could be upgraded to light rail with established corridor 5) Dislike managed lanes — does not seem fair that single drivers with more money have faster commute.”
• “My general sense is that effective use of buses and sane lanes makes the most sense.”
• “With BRT, since it is bus service, how do we know service will not be cut in the future?”
• “We would rather have additional lanes for cars.”
• “Need to compare with cost of additional lanes of highway. We will always have roads, just a matter of how much and what is most cost effective. Roads are needed to deliver goods as well as people going to their destinations.”
• “Pick the least costly method.”

Check the Gateway Corridor website for the full list of comments on the proposals from the most recent round of open houses.

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