Officials said today they’ll look at other routes for a proposed Blue Line light rail extension in the northwest metro, after Burlington Northern Santa Fe said for years it won’t share its right-of-way with passenger service. Metropolitan Council Chairman Charles Zelle says a different route could actually serve the area better. “This area of the metro has a very high concentration of low-income and communities of color…. When we think about this now, the highest priority is to have inclusive growth for everybody in our metro area,” Zelle says.
Light rail expansion has seen strong opposition from Republicans at the legislature, who contend bus rapid transit is more cost-effective. Zelle responds he can make a strong case for a mix of different modes of transit.