Editor’s Note: This event has been postponed from Saturday, May 11, and we’ll alert you as soon as a new date is confirmed!
Uber and Lyft’s impending departure on July 1 got you scrambling? You have options.
Join Streets.mn and me, transportation journalist (and pre-pandemic contributor to Streets.mn) H. Jiahong Pan, on on an adventure to learn more about what public transit agencies are doing to mimic rideshare. We will be joined by Eric Schuman, SouthWest Transit’s customer service supervisor, who will introduce us to a service called SouthWest Prime.
The main event is anticipated to end around 1 p.m. Afterward, you can either start making your way back to Minneapolis or continue your journey elsewhere. If you’re heading back to Minneapolis, you can hail a Prime ride back to 50th and France, or to the Knox and 76th Street station and transfer to the Orange Line.
Register in Advance!
Registration is capped at six attendees due to capacity constraints. Click here to RSVP and review a list of frequently asked questions.
Event details: Saturday, May 11 (now postponed) about 11 a.m. until about 1 p.m. at the westbound Route 46 stop at 50th and France, Edina.
What routes can I take to get here?
The best route to take is the 6D, which runs every 30 minutes. Offboard at France and 50th Street. The 6E stops at Xerxes and 50th Street, and is an approximate 10-minute walk away. Expect delays to Route 6 due to Hennepin Avenue construction. The 46 does not run on weekends at this time.
What should I bring?
• Yourself
• At least two $5 bills or a bank card to pay for your Prime rides (Important: Prime does not accept Go-To cards. Each Prime ride is $5.)
• Money to buy pastries from Keefer Court, if so inclined
I want to explore the areas that SouthWest Prime serves after the event. Where should I go?
Below are suggestions of places you could visit:
- Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area, Eden Prairie
- Wings of the North Air Museum, Eden Prairie
- Chanhassen Dinner Theaters
- Paisley Park
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Downtown Chaska
- Carver County Historical Society, Chaska
- Downtown Victoria
- Carver Off-Leash Dog Park for access to Carver Park Reserve
- *Downtown Carver
- Chaska Unit, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- *Carver Bluffs Park for access to Rapids Lake Unit, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- *Downtown Shakopee
- *Scott County Historical Society
- *Marschall Road Transit Station, for connections to Route 495 and 4FUN buses.
- Bear in mind, if you wish to visit Carver or Shakopee, Prime trips originating from both cities must end in Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie or Victoria due to service limitations. Also, rides to cities outside of Chaska, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie or Victoria must be booked by 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Why do this when driving would be so much easier?
As a journalist, I like to invite my readers to experience firsthand some of the issues I report on. One of them is transportation. My goal is to ensure you develop a better understanding of issues facing Minnesota’s transit systems. You’ll also have the opportunity to make friends, go on an adventure and learn more about public rideshare options.
Also, not everyone can drive for one reason or another, and Streets.mn’s vision is to ensure people are able to get anywhere regardless of ability. The Asia Mall vehicle parking lot also fills up fast and gets congested, especially on weekends.