The 70-mile corridor is already set up for rail traffic, so supporters say it's just a matter of moving trains onto the tracks. But some people think the Northstar line is an inefficient use of money, and that it won't ever carry enough passengers. Two bright blue rail cars, stood out against the surrounding brick buildings. The train represents the future of commuter rail in Minnesota, a system that someday could carry commuters from St Cloud to downtown Minneapolis. Northstar officials say that by 2004 they hope the train will bring 5,000 people a day into Minneapolis.
Opponents say the price tag for the project is too high, and that it benefits too few people.
But project manager Tim Yantos says compared to other modes of transportation, commuter rail is cheap. Hundreds of businesspeople, politicians and media climbed onto the train. St. Paul runs the risk of being like the western town where the train doesn't stop. State Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg was on board. But Art Guzzetti, with the American Public Transportation Association, a trade organization that represents public transport companies, says the Northstar project has been on a fast track because of supporters in high places - people like Democratic Congressman Jim Oberstar , who sits on the House Transportation Committee.