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Managing editor

It was all aboard for Northstar Commuter Rail in Coon Rapids this afternoon (Saturday, Nov. 14).

Some 700 people rode the train free of charge from the Coon Rapids Riverdale Station to the downtown Minneapolis station and back as part of the grand opening ceremonies at the station.

Most got their tickets in advance via a lottery, but other lined up as early as 10 a.m. this morning to obtain tickets that were still available on a first-come, first serve basis at 1 p.m. for the 3:35 p.m. departure time.

Besides the train ride, the grand opening event at the Riverdale Station featured a program and speakers, big band sounds from the 1st Things 1st, entertainment by Yo Yo Master Dazzlin’ Dave and an appearance  by the St. Paul Saints mascot, Mudonna.

And the entire Coon Rapids event focused on the year-long celebration of the city’s 50th anniversary.

In all, it is estimated that 1,000 attended the Riverdale Station grand opening and similar size crowds were reported at the grand opening ceremonies at the other stations on the Northstar route.

Coon Rapids Mayor Tim Howe emceed the Riverdale Station program, which included the Coon Rapids American Legion color guard presenting the colors, the Coon Rapids High School Concert Choir singing the national anthem and an appearance by the Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Royalty.

Program speakers were U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, State Reps. Denise Dittrich and Melissa Hortman, State Sen. Taryl Clark, Metropolitan Council member Natalie Steffen, former State Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, Carol LeDoux on behalf of her husband Anoka County Commissioner Scott LeDoux and Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart, who is also chairman of both the Northstar Corridor Development Authority and the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority.

“This is a great day,” Howe said. “It has been a long time coming.”

According to Howe, when he was first elected to the Coon Rapids City Council in the early 1990s, he attended a meeting about commuter rail, with which he was not familiar at the time.

“I was just along for the ride,” Howe said. “But people with incredible vision have made it possible.”

Klobuchar described Northstar as a team effort at the federal, state and county levels.

“Northstar is a gem for the state and a leader in rail system development,” she said.

“Today, you can take the train to Minneapolis and back. One day soon, it will be from St. Cloud.”

The arrival of Northstar has produced “enthusiasm and energy in the community” and “there is a sense of accomplishment,” Dittrich said.

“This is history making and the project is testament to perseverance,” she said.

According to Hortman, a lot of people made Northstar happen and they include the citizens of Coon Rapids.

“Coon Rapids residents worked together to get this done,” she said. “It’s awesome. It will make the community better and stronger.”

Steffen said Northstar is in good hands with the Metropolitan Council, through Metro Transit, running it because of the fine staff.

Hiawatha Light Rail has exceeded all expectations since it started operations and the hope is that Northstar will also outperform, she said.

“We are expecting great things out of Northstar,” Steffen said.

In 2010, the expectation is that 3,500 people will be riding Northstar each weekday and by the end of 2010, 870,000 will have ridden Northstar, according to Steffen.

Steffen credited the county boards of Anoka, Hennepin and Sherburne counties for their “pit bull” attitudes.

“Nothing made them let go,” she said. “They just stuck at it.”

It was Tingelstad who carried the torch for Northstar at the Legislature for many years, notably in the House, even when she was “beat up” by her own party, Howe said.

Northstar was a 13-year process, but it takes time to work on projects of this magnitude, Tingelstad said.

The Northstar symbol has five points, which, she said, demonstrate what it has taken to get the project done.

According to Tingelstad, they are understanding the project and its cost effectiveness; building coalitions; working hard; never giving up; and celebrating.

Introducing Erhart, Howe said he has been the “visionary behind the project.”

But Erhart said Northstar would never have become a reality without the 30 communities that comprise the Northstar Corridor Development Authority “working together.”

“This so important to the residents and city of Coon Rapids,” he said.

But this is only part of a regional transportation system that needs to keep growing, Erhart said.

Which is why he said he is working to extend Northstar to St. Cloud and revive passenger rail service between Minneapolis and Duluth.

Both would mean a rail station at the Foley Park and Ride in Coon Rapids, which would be the transportation hub in Anoka County, he said.

“Transportation is important to the future of Coon Rapids and will revitalize parts of Coon Rapids,” Erhart said.

Beginning Monday (Nov. 16), Northstar will offer five morning trips from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis and five return trips in the afternoon along a 40-mile corridor.  

One reverse commute roundtrip will also be offered on weekdays and three weekend roundtrips are planned on Saturdays and Sundays.

Each train trip will consist of a locomotive and four passenger cars, with each car seating about 140 customers. 

Passenger cars have three seating levels, work tables, electrical outlets and an on-board restroom. 

Each car can accommodate two bicycles and is fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

The Coon Rapids station, as well as the other suburban stations, has adjacent park-and-ride facilities  and platforms are equipped with cameras, emergency telephones, enclosed shelters, heating and other amenities.

Fares for Northstar commuter rail service range from $3.25 to $7 each way depending on the distance traveled; it’s $4 from Coon Rapids. Fares are lower on weekends.

Peter Bodley is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it