Southwest Metro Transit Update
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2004
For more information:
Brooke H. Brown
952-974-3107
bbrown@swtranist.org
SouthWest Metro Transit Named Outstandine: System of the Year
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SouthWest Metro Transit was named the 2004 Outstanding Public Transportation System by the
American Public Transportation Association (APT A). South West Metro was one of four systems
in the nation to receive the award, winning in the less than one million rides category.
The award recognizes SouthWest Metro's commitment to safety and service reliability through
their outstanding on-time performance, low number of road calls per mile, cost effectiveness and
sustainable system growth. SouthWest Metro's value-added customer service initiatives and
efforts toward creating a livable community have further defined the agency as one of the
nation's finest.
"The APT A award is a testament to the dedication our staff and drivers display everyday to
customer service, safety and service reliability. SouthWest Metro Transit has a tradition and
proven commitment to excellence, and everyone in the organization is truly committed to
providing one of the premier transit operations in the country," Len Simich, Executive Director
said.
The agency provides local bus service in Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie as well as
express service to downtown Minneapolis, Uptown, the University of Minnesota and special
events in the Twin Cities including the Minnesota State Fair and coming this fall, Minnesota
Timberwolves games. The agency is recognized throughout the Twin Cities for its a fleet of
luxury passenger coaches, mini-buses, rubber-wheeled trolleys and a vintage 1947 OM
Silverside bus for special occasions.
"SouthWest Metro Transit is very deserving of this award. During the five and a half years that I
have been riding, I have never been disappointed in the service or the quality. The buses are
reliable, on-time, clean and the drivers are always friendly and helpful," Patricia Hayes,
SouthWest Metro Transit rider said.
System ridership has increased steadily over the last six years. Ridership increased to 605,000 in
2003, nearly a five percent increase over ridership in 2002. The agency is on track for a similar
increase in 2004.
SouthWest Station, SouthWest Metro Transit's hub in Eden Prairie, is part of Eden Prairie's
town center and is the cornerstone of a transit oriented development designed especially for their
suburban system. The transit station, complete with a five-story parking ramp, covered walkways
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and a staffed customer service counter, is part of a larger development which includes various
restaurants, more than 230 condominiums and a city park.
"We developed SouthWest Station with the customer in mind, integrating transportation with
entertainment facilities and housing," Simich said. Larger systems which integrate bus and rail
have been developing in this way for years; however, it takes a larger effort in a suburban
community which operates primarily express service, he said.
SouthWest Metro Transit's growing commitment to value-added customer service initiatives and
outstanding service reliability has proved to be a winning combination for the agency that was
founded less than 20 years ago.
APT A is an international organization that has been representing the transit industry for over 100
years, since 1882. In that time, only two Minnesota transit systems have received this honor, St.
Cloud and Duluth, both in 1990.
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About SouthWest Metro Transit
SouthWest Metro Transit Commission (SMTC) provides express and local bus service to residents of
Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska and surrounding communities. SMTC operates seven park and ride
lots, including its main hub, SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie. Additional information and complete
schedules for SMTC can be found on the web at www.swtransit.org or by calling our customer service
line at 952-949-2BUS (2287).