SouthWest Transit

SouthWest Transit is a public transportation agency that is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The agency was formed in 1986 when the southwest Minneapolis suburbs of Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie chose to opt out of the Metropolitan Transit Commission transit system in accordance with Minnesota State Statutes. Under a joing powers agreement between the three cities, they created their own transit system, SouthWest Metro Transit.

SouthWest Transit
Headquarters13500 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Service typebus service, paratransit
DestinationsEden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, Fairview Hospital Southdale, Southdale
Daily ridership3,700 (Q2 2013)[1]
Websiteswtransit.org

Now known as SouthWest Transit, the agency continues to be the public transit agency for Chaska, Chanhassen, and Eden Prairie, as well as Carver. They currently offer service to and from Downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, Normandale Community College and Best Buy Headquarters.

In addition to their regular service, SouthWest Transit also offers a number of seasonal services, including State Fair, Twins Express, Vikings Express, Gophers Express, Summer Adventures, select concerts, and more.

SouthWest Transit has been recognized locally and nationally for its outstanding service and commitment to its passengers. In 2004 SouthWest Transit was named Transit Agency of the Year.

SouthWest Transit operates out of the following park-and-ride locations:

  • Southwest Station - Hwy 212 & Prairie Center Drive, Eden Prairie
  • SouthWest Village - Hwy 212 & Hwy 101, Chanhassen
  • Chanhassen Transit Station - 500 Market St., Chanhassen (next to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre)
  • East Creek Station - Hwy 212 & Hwy 41, Chaska
  • Carver Station - Hwy 212 & Jonathan Carver Pkwy, Carver


Routes

Bold route number denotes an express route.

Route Origin/Destination Major Destinations/Transit Stations Notes Link
602 East Creek Station

SouthWest Village

SouthWest Station

 Normandale Community College

Best Buy HQ
690 690: SW Station

A: Dell Rd & Hwy 62

C: Chanhassen TS

E: EP Loop

H: Hennepin Village

P: Anderson Lakes & Mitchell Rd

 Downtown Minneapolis
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, SouthWest Village, Chanhassen Station, SouthWest Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: Marquette Avenue Stop D, 2nd Avenue Stop F
 link
695 East Creek Downtown Minneapolis, University of MN
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, SouthWest Village, SouthWest Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: Wells Fargo
  • University of Minnesota
 link
697 Carver Station Downtown Minneapolis
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, Carver Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: 2nd Avenue Stop F, Marquette Avenue Stop D
 link
698 698: East Creek


Downtown Minneapolis, University of MN
  • Transit Stations: Carver Station, East Creek Station, SouthWest Village, Chanhassen Station, Southwest Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: 2nd Avenue Stop F, Marquette Avenue Stop D
  • University of Minnesota
 The 698L Stops at East Creek or Carver Station if requested. link
699 699: Carver Station


Downtown Minneapolis
  • Transit Stations: Carver Station, East Creek Station, SouthWest Village
  • Chaska: Clover Field Park & Ride, Stoughton Ave, Pioneer Tr
  • Downtown Minneapolis: 2nd Avenue Stop F, Marquette Avenue Stop D
 link
Normandale Shuttle SouthWest Station Normandale Community College

Park & Ride Facilities

SouthWest Transit opened three new park & ride facilities near Highway 212. The first, SouthWest Village, is at County Road 101 and Highway 212 in Chanhassen. The second new park & ride is East Creek Station in Chaska. That facility was opened in early June 2008 at the southwest corner of Highway 212 and County Road 41. The third new park & ride is Chanhassen Transit Station opened in December 2011 and is located north of Highway 5, just next to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres on Market St.

East Creek Station Expansion

Due to near capacity issues, in 2007 the East Creek Station Park and Ride CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality – a federal program) grant submittal was approved for the construction of 450 park and ride stalls, a transit station and busway. The new 450 stalls are structured parking (a ramp), and the station includes passenger waiting areas along with vending and restroom facilities. The total project cost $7.8 million. Bidding for the construction of the ramp and station is expected to take place in the spring/summer of 2012, with construction beginning later in the summer/fall and an opening of the new facility in September 2013. SouthWest is also in discussion with private developers to develop approximately one acre of land currently set aside for future development use. Options for the site include office, neighborhood commercial, and day care.[2]

Records

Records of the SouthWest Transit Commission are available for research use. They consist of annual reports (1997-2005); management plans and budgets (1992-1993, 1995); oversight (1993-1994); and On the Move rider newsletter (2005).[3]

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See also

References
  1. "Ridership Report Archives". American Public Transportation Association. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  2. "Southwest Transit -- East Creek". Southwest Metro Transit. Retrieved 2011. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. SouthWest Transit Commission Records
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