SNOWSTORM GUIDELINES

If a major snowstorm occurs in the SouthWest Transit service area, SouthWest Transit will announce its decision to either:

         run all routes,

         run the Snow Emergency schedule, (details coming soon)

                 or

         cancel all service

prior to the start of our weekday morning routes.

How will you know if a Snow Emergency has been declared?

·        Official announcements regarding SouthWest Transit limited or cancelled service will be broadcast on radio on WCCO (830 AM) and on television on WCCO and KSTP.

·        Call 952-949-2BUS (2287). Our staff or voice mail message will offer up-to-date information.

·        Visit www.swtransit.org for updated information.

·        To receive information by email or by text message on your cell phone, sign up for Commuter Alerts at www.swtransit.org.

·        Via Facebook & Twitter.

·        For those riders who transfer to or from other transit providers, be sure to check the status of that service.

1. IF A SNOW EMERGENCY IS DECLARED IN THE MORNING

·        Local routes will be cancelled.

·        Limited express service from Major Park & Rides via Route 698 will be provided only from East Creek in Chaska, SouthWest Village AND Chanhassen Station (starting Dec 12^th, 2011) in Chanhassen, and SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis and , the U of M. (See link to Snow Schedule below.). All local street route variations and minor park & rides will not be serviced.

·        To avoid confusion, the Snow Emergency schedule will also run in the PM even if the weather clears. All buses will display “SNOW EMERGENCY” alternating with “Route 698” and the four SouthWest Transit Park & Ride destinations listed above.

2. IF A SNOW EMERGENCY IS DECLARED LATER IN THE DAY:

·         If SWT runs regular service in the AM and conditions rapidly deteriorate during the day, with schools and businesses closing, we MAY run Snow Emergency service beginning in early afternoon. All local afternoon service would be reassigned for shuttling (see Route 603/690E information which follows).

·         All SouthWest Express Buses will display “SNOW EMERGENCY” alternating with “ALL SOUTHWEST STOPS”.

·         All buses displaying “Snow Emergency” will go to SouthWest Station, where you might need to transfer to a shuttle bus to get to the location (P&R or street side stop) you started from in the morning.

·         Please be patient and be prepared to wait in our Customer Service area at SouthWest Station so we can group people together who are going in the same direction.

·        Route 684 buses will begin as scheduled, but will be subject to delays.

·        Route 690E replaces 603 beginning Dec. 12, 2011. Route 690E/603 buses leaving SWS will be modified for use as Eden Prairie Shuttles. All passengers who need local 690E/603 service at these times but are not starting at SW Station will need to call Customer Service (952-949-2287) to arrange transportation via one of these shuttles.

·         Depending on conditions, we will attempt to resume the remainder of our normal express schedule after 7:00 PM in order to accommodate those who were unaware of our service change.

Please be patient! Be prepared to wait longer for your bus. Dress accordingly. Our goal is to get everyone back to their destination safely – no matter how long it takes!