Five counties that fund two major new Twin Cities transit lines will see refunds on their investment due to better-than-expected ridership and lower-than-expected costs, reports the
St. Paul Pioneer Press:
"The Hiawatha light-rail and Northstar commuter-rail lines last year cost less to operate and generated more fare-box revenue than expected, allowing the Metropolitan Council to return $1.2 million to the five counties that pay for half the lines' operating costs.
"'It's a refund,' Met Council Chairman Peter Bell said.
"In 2008, the five metro counties agreed to form the Counties Transit Improvement Board and levy a quarter-cent sales tax to fund rail, bus and other transit options. The group, composed of Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties, estimates the tax will generate $85 million to $90 million per year."
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here.