METRO Orange Line

The METRO Orange Line is a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between downtown Minneapolis and Burnsville. The Orange Line will use roadway improvements, upgraded transit stations, Park & Ride facilities and improved bus routes to provide fast, frequent and reliable all-day service along I-35W. The 16-mile corridor has been the most heavily-traveled express bus corridor since the 1970s, with about 14,000 daily rides. 

BRT describes a variety of transit systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus route by improving existing station and roadway infrastructure, vehicles, technology and scheduling. BRT stations often have ticket machines, real-time route information and enhanced customer amenities.

The goal is to operate with the service quality and reliability of rail transit with the cost savings and flexibility of bus transit. On I-35W, many Orange Line improvements will also benefit other bus routes in the corridor.

> See the latest Orange Line Project Update newsletter

> Download a fact sheet about planning