Metro Transit light rail passengers will see some changes on the Blue and Green lines this weekend — namely, two-car trains. It’s a taste of what’s to come this summer.

Beginning Saturday, the metro’s public transit authority is switching from three cars down to two on weekends only, unless higher ridership is expected for special events. The goal is to both reduce unnecessary wear-and-tear on vehicles during lower-demand periods and to cut down on maintenance needs at a time when Metro Transit is still hard-pressed to fill open maintenance positions.

An ancillary benefit?

Officials and passengers alike have long bemoaned the so-called “center car problem,” where smokers and others engaged in behavior that violates the Passenger Code of Conduct tend to gather to avoid drivers who operate, alternately, at either end of a three-car train. Transit officials said the two-car trains will be easier to clean between trips and increase the visibility of Metro Transit police, trainees, Transit Rider Investment Program agents and other outreach workers.

Beginning June 15, Metro Transit will use both two-car and three-car trains interchangeably seven days per week, based on demand. The goal, by August, is to run trains every 12 minutes most of the day, up from the current 15-minute service schedule, with the hope of growing service.

Shorter trains pull deeper into the departing ends of stations, so passengers will be advised through recorded announcements and signage to position themselves accordingly on platforms. Priority seating is reserved for seniors and customers with disabilities.

Other changes

Other changes are lining up.

Metro Transit has begun posting bus and train car numbers in larger letters inside vehicles, making it easier for passengers to identify where they are when they text Metro Transit to silently report concerns at the non-emergency line: 612-900-0411.

The transit authority is working with Cubic Transportation Systems of San Diego to upgrade all of its farecard readers for contactless debit and credit card payments. New York City, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay area and other transit authorities have already adopted the technology, which allows passengers to download their credit card onto Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and pay their fare with a quick tap of their smartphone, without having to buy a ticket or even a physical farecard.

“The easier it is to use something, the better chance you’ll use it,” said Matt Newsome, a vice president with Cubic, on Tuesday.

The software upgrade for what’s known in the transit industry as an “open payment” system could be complete by late 2026, though no firm schedule has been established.

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Sen. Cal Larson sits in a committee hearing at the State Capitol in St. Paul on April 6, 2005. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)

DETROIT LAKES — Calvin Larson, who served a total of 28 years in the Minnesota Legislature, died on April 1 at an assisted living facility in Detroit Lakes.

Born in Glyndon, Larson served in the Navy before making his home in Fergus Falls. That’s where he was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1966 with a Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus party affiliation, serving District 55 from 1967-72 and District 11 A from 1973-74.

After his time in the Minnesota House, Larson took a break from politics, during which time he grew an insurance company and a family.

He re-entered the state Legislature in 1987 as an Independent Republican after being elected to the Minnesota Senate. He’d remain in that office for two decades before being defeated in 2006 by DFL challenger Dan Skogen.

Throughout his time in office, Larson served Becker, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stearns, Traverse and Wadena counties.

Larson and his family shared their time between Fergus Falls and their cottage outside Pelican Rapids.

On April 4, the Minnesota Senate held a moment of silence for Larson, with Sen. Jordan Rassmuson, R-Fergus Falls, talking about the big impact Larson had in Otter Tail County and his community.

“He helped establish the Fergus Falls Veterans Home and Glendalough State Park, and he was instrumental in opening the door to the first Minnesota High School League girls sports,” said Rassmuson, who said Larson was known for his bipartisan work and lasting friendships with his colleagues.

“Cal Larson was a wonderful senator,” said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville. “I think members of both parties saw him as fair and honorable … somebody we all trusted and loved.”

Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman posted a message on social media, saying Larson was an inspiration and mentor to him.

“He set a shining example for what a public servant should be — good common sense, humility, a deeply rooted commitment to do good — and an ability to work with folks on both sides of the aisle to better serve the community he represented,” Coleman wrote.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. June 7, with an ice cream social to follow at Zion Lutheran Church on Franklin Lake in Pelican Rapids.

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