Among them is the cost of purchasing passenger rail cars and locomotives, building stations and a maintenance facility, and making necessary rail improvements and safety upgrades. The NCDA expects the commuter rail line will carry 8,794 riders per day in 2005, and 9,710 in 2020. The Northstar Corridor commuter rail line is expected to be funded by a combination of federal, state and local dollars. Residents along the congested Northstar Corridor embrace commuter rail. Utilizing existing tracks results in significant cost and time savings, enabling commuter trains to run sooner than if tracks needed to be installed.
Commuter rail is less expensive than other mass transportation options, such as building new roads.
It encompasses five counties and nearly 30 communities. The NCDA is a joint powers board made up of counties, cities, townships and regional railroad authorities along the corridor.