April 8, 2002 - As part of our transportation series, "Are We There Yet," we asked YOU for your comments. Many of you called our comment line, or wrote to us on the Soapbox at Minnesota Public Radio dot org, to say the state's transportation system would work more smoothly, if people would simply drive better. Eric, who lives in Excelsior, says one solution is simple.
April 8, 2002 - If you're an average Twin Cites resident, you'll spend about thirty-seven hours this year sitting in an automobile idling in a traffic jam. During the 1990's only one city -- Atlanta -- saw traffic congestion grow faster. What's more, projections show the Twin Cities' population will keep growing over the next thirty years, putting more pressure on an aging road system that's already getting crowded to capacity. With transit options limited, getting around the Twin Cites is becoming a bigger and more expensive problem for those who live, do business in, or visit the area. This week, Minnesota Public Radio is taking a closer look at transportation issues in a special series of reports called "Are We There Yet?" William Wilcoxen opens our series with a look at some of the transportation challenges facing the region...
April 8, 2002 - Light rail supporters say this fall's scheduled test of Minnesota's first light rail transit system will start closing the lid on criticism of the project. But, if Minnesota's light rail project is similar to others, significant pockets of opposition will linger and threaten to short circuit development plans that could determine whether the system succeeds. As part of our series on road congestion "Are We There Yet?" Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports. Listen for more of our series "Are We There Yet? tomorrow on Morning Edition and on the Web at Minnesota Public Radio dot org. And tomorrow we'll have a story about a road that some say is the most dangerous in the state.
April 9, 2002 - Almost everyone agrees the state's traffic congestion is worsening.. Some people think we should add new lanes to freeways. Others say widened roads will soon be clogged with traffic, and mass transit needs to be a major part of the solution. But regardless of who's right, Minnesota's system for funding transportation is heavily weighted in favor of more highways. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
April 11, 2002 - Business leaders and academics will gather at the University of Minnesota today for the 2002 E-commerce Conference. Participants will discuss how companies can make their e-commerce profitable, and take a look at businesses that have set up successful models. Less Wanninger is the conference chair and a professor at the Carlson School. He's on the line now.
April 11, 2002 - There are numerous opinions on which transportation system would work best for the Twin Cities. One Minnesota-based transportation expert says an expanded and improved bus system, and not light rail, is the answer. Tom Martinson is an Independent consultant based in Edina, who helps cities around the world plan transportation systems that fit their unique characteristics.
April 12, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on atmosphere at ballpark and Minnesota State Capitol with the potential that 2002 home opener may be the team’s last.
April 15, 2002 - Travel expert Terry Trippler is with the Internet travel agency - onetravel.com. He says Sun Country's future depends on its ability to set fares that are low, but not TOO low:
April 15, 2002 -
April 16, 2002 - Minnesota's economy, like the rest of the nation's, has slumped for more than a year. Now there are signs that the hard times may be coming to an end. But there are also signs that Minnesota's economic recovery may not be all that robust. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.