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Nov 25, 2009 5:51 pm US/Central
Buses Return To Marquette, 2nd Avenues
(WCCO)
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With two lanes now instead of one, drivers and riders will have to adjust to a whole new system.
CBS
Some are calling it the premier bus corridor in the country and after two years of construction, buses have returned to Marquette and 2nd Avenues in downtown Minneapolis.
Drivers have started training on the new bus lanes.
With two lanes now instead of one, drivers and riders will have to adjust to a whole new system.
Rush hour on Marquette and 2nd Avenues used to be single lane. Buses stacked up one after the other waiting for those ahead to load passengers.
"Used to be downtown, we didn't pass buses in the downtown area," said Metro Transit Bus Driver Instructor Ted Stephaney.
Not anymore. Added lanes change the way buses and passengers get through the busy downtown corridor.
"Gets you through downtown quicker," said Stephaney.
Instead of stopping every block, buses will now pick up passengers every other block.
"So what we're doing is we're kinda leap-frogging buses," he said.
The extra lane lets drivers pass stopped buses.
"This way, once I'm done getting my people loaded, I can get out into the traffic lane and I can go to my next stop," said Stephaney.
Letters mark the two stops per block where riders catch the bus and each route will have a designated letter they stop at.
Each bus stop will be equipped with an audio box and electric sign updating in real time when to expect the next bus.
"Each of the blocks will have some type of sheltered waiting area," said Metro Transit Marketing Director Bruce Howard.
Downtown workers who drive and park in lots and garages will also benefit from the staggered bus stops when they drive out.
"Normally we would block that ... but now if you look, the cars will be able to come out of it," said Stephaney.
All improvements were made towards one goal -- to move traffic faster through Downtown Minneapolis.
"Two or three times faster than today," said Howard.
Buses will start rolling for passengers Dec. 14. Metro Transit staff will be at the stops to help riders with the new system.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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