Northstar rail line to offer refunds for late trains in January

Northstar Commuter Rail
Passengers exit the Northstar Commuter Rail train at Target Field in Minneapolis in 2009.
Jeffrey Thompson / MPR News

Metro Transit is hoping to lure commuters back to the Northstar Commuter Rail Line by offering refunds for trains in January that are more than 11 minutes late.

Some riders soured on the line last year after it was plagued by weather-related delays.

"This is the most assertive service guarantee that we're aware of in the whole country right now," said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. "We feel good about our service, and we want our customers to take advantage of this great service that we have through the winter."

The program launches Jan. 1, but commuters can sign up for the program on Metro Transit's website right away.

The refund program applies only to regularly scheduled weekday trips.

Lamb said any commuters who sign up for the program will automatically be mailed a check in February for any late trains they rode the month before.

Trains on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line travel between Big Lake and Target Field stations in downtown Minneapolis.

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