MN SF3344

Governor's designee must contact Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) to negotiate extending Northstar Corridor service between Big Lake and St. Cloud.

Extension must include at least one morning round trip and one evening round trip each weekday between St. Cloud Amtrak Depot and Big Lake/Target Station, with approximately ten or more hours between morning departure and evening return.

St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) must handle fare collection and negotiate with Amtrak for station use, with revenue and expense sharing agreements requiring approval from the city of St. Cloud.

State may not commit state funds for capital expenditures and may not spend more state operating funds than currently budgeted for Northstar Corridor through the state and Metropolitan Council.

State may negotiate with federal government, counties, cities, or Northstar Corridor Development Authority to secure additional funding for extending the corridor.