MN HF1722

Department of Transportation must negotiate with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) to extend the Northstar Corridor between Big Lake and St. Cloud.

Extension must include at least one morning round trip and one evening round trip between St. Cloud Amtrak Depot and Big Lake Station (with continuing service to Target Station), with approximately 10 or more hours between departures each weekday; weekend service may also be negotiated.

BNSF remains responsible for crewing, dispatching all trains, and providing track-related services.

St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission must handle fare collection and negotiate with Amtrak for station use; any agreement with Metropolitan Council requires St. Cloud city approval and is limited to revenue/expense sharing related to the corridor.

Department of Transportation is prohibited from committing state funds for capital expenditures or operating costs exceeding current Northstar Corridor budget levels, but may seek additional funding from federal government, counties, cities, or the Northstar Corridor Development Authority.