SouthWest Transit

SouthWest Transit
Headquarters 13500 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN
Service type bus service, paratransit
Destinations Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, Fairview Hospital Southdale, Southdale
Daily ridership 3,700 (Q2 2013)[1]
Website swtransit.org

SouthWest Transit is a public transportation agency that is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The agency was created in the 1980s to improve public transit for the rapidly developing communities of Eden Prairie, Chanhassen and Chaska. Bus service was added to Victoria in the early 2000s. Bus service runs from about 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

SouthWest Transit has been recognized locally and nationally for its outstanding service and commitment to its passengers. In 2004 SouthWest Transit (then known as SouthWest Metro Transit, the word Metro was dropped in 2007) was named Transit Agency of the Year.

The SWTC (Southwest Transit Commission) owns several park and ride lots and also has contracts to use other property for parking. The lots are at the following:

  • SouthWest Station. This one is the largest with 5 levels of parking and is home to the SWT offices. (Eden Prairie)
  • SouthWest Village. (Chanhassen) This lot officially opened in February, 2008.
  • Chanhassen Transit Station. (Chanhassen) This park and ride opened in December 2011.
  • Clover Fields P&R. (Chaska) This lot opened with the Clover Fields Development in early 2006.
  • Walnut Street P&R. (Chaska)
  • East Creek Station. (Chaska)
  • Preserve Village P&R. (Eden Prairie)
  • Shady Oak P&R. (Eden Prairie)

SouthWest Transit operates bus service from these lots to Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.

Routes

Bold route number denotes an express route.

Route Origin/Destination Major Destinations/Transit Stations Notes Link
600 Southdale Transit Station Southwest Station
  • Transit Stations: Southdale, Southwest Station
  • Eden Prairie: Eden Prairie Library, 76th St and Washington Ave, Flying Cloud Dr and Shady Oak Rd
  • Richfield: Best Buy Headquarters
  • Bloomington: Normandale Community College
 Red Flex Route link
601 East Creek Station Southdale Transit Station
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, Chanhassen Station, Southdale
  • Chaska: Beckman Coulter
  • Chanhassen: IWCO
  • Eden Prairie: Optum Campus
 Blue Flex Route link
602 East Creek Station Normandale Community College
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, SouthWest Village, SouthWest Station
  • Richfield: Best Buy, 77th St and Meridian Crossings
  • Bloomington: Normandale Community College
 Shuttle Flex Route link
682 Varies Varies Route for State Fair and other special events.
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
691 Stoughton Ave & Audubon Rd Downtown Minneapolis
  • Transit Stations: East Creek Station, SouthWest Village, SouthWest Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: 2nd Avenue Stop F
  • Chaska: Stoughton Ave, Walnut St
 link
692 Chanhassen Transit Station Downtown Minneapolis
  • Transit Stations: Chanhassen Station
  • Downtown Minneapolis: 2nd Avenue Stop F, Marquette Avenue Stop D
 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

C: Pioneer Trail & McKnight Rd

 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

C: Pioneer Tr & McKnight Rd

D: Stoughton Ave & Audubon Rd

E: East Creek

L: Southwest Village

 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

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 Great Plains Boulevard.

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]

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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