KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsMinn. Northstar commuter rail off to smooth start
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Associated Press - November 16, 2009 9:54 AM ET
BIG LAKE, Minn. (AP) - Service is off to a smooth start on Minnesota's new Northstar commuter rail service linking Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis.
After a weekend of grand-opening fanfare, the 40-mile line opened Monday.
Metro Transit staffers say an estimated 115 people rode the first inbound train to downtown Minneapolis. An unofficial count had 44 people on the outbound train headed toward Big Lake, and 241 people were on the second inbound train of the morning headed to downtown Minneapolis.
Officials numbers are expected later Monday.
Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons say officials are getting feedback from customers to see if any improvements are needed. Gibbons says one passenger told him it was too bright in the train, and she asked if the lights could be dimmed in 1 of the cars.
Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, http://www.mpr.org
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