By Steve Morris

Will people use commuter bus? That's the question the Rush Line Task Force is grappling with.

SRF Inc., out of Minneapolis, was hired by the Rush Line Task Force to complete a commuter bus study on the feasibility of bringing commuter bus along an 80-mile stretch from Hinckley to the Twin Cities.

To get a pulse on the acceptance of commuter bus service, on a rainy afternoon the Post Review went to the local park and ride to ask those who already use some type of ride share what they think. Those questioned seem to be receptive to the idea of having commuter bus in the area.

Jamie Fennern drives from Cambridge to downtown Minneapolis to work. Recently, to help ease the burden of his 120-mile commute, he began using the park and ride in Stacy off of County Road 17.

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Fennern said if a commuter bus was available, he would test it to see if it was something he would want to use, but noted that he doesn't like large crowds and would want comfortable seats.

As far as fees were concerned, he would expect to pay around $3.

"It's better than paying the $15 in gas I am spending now," he said.

Tom Schulte drives from Osceloa, Wisc., every week to work in Hugo. He was at the CR 17 park and ride, not to use the ride share, but to access the Sunrise Prairie Trail and ride his bike.

Despite the fact he didn't currently use ride share, Schulte still had an opinion. "I think it's a good idea," he said on commuter bus. "You can save money on gas." Schulte said if he had to guess, he would expect to pay a fee of around $1 each way.

The park and ride at CR 17 is located about three miles south of North Branch and opened in November. SRF Inc. is estimating ridership from from downtown St. Paul to North Branch at around 15 to 25 people. Service to downtown Minneapolis to North Branch would be the same.

But not everyone would want service to downtown. Al Niemi commutes from Stacy to Fridley for work. The current proposed route may not be as practical for him.Niemi said he likes his space and would lean toward not using commuter bus, but the cost of gas may drive him toward it.

"Just saving on gas would be the biggest thing for me," Niemi said.

Debbie Yeager commutes from Pine City to New Brighton and said she might use the commuter bus, but didn't know much about it. Her current drive takes her more than an hour.

When asked about what type of fare she was willing to pay, she said, "I have no idea."

SRF Inc. is estimating the annual operating cost from North Branch to St. Paul at $395,505.

The next Rush Line Task Force meeting is Aug. 23.