Expanded bus service will be introduced in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley in January 2026, when Northstar Commuter Rail service ends.
With the transition to bus service, the corridor will have nearly 400 trips to and from Minneapolis each week, compared to the current rail schedule with 40 trips each week.
"The move to bus service isn't just about replacement—it's about enhancement. We're creating a more agile transit system that can adapt to our communities' evolving needs while providing better connectivity across the region," said Charlie Zelle, Metropolitan Council Chair.
Northstar rail service will conclude the weekend of January 3-4, 2026. Northstar will serve all Minnesota Vikings regular season home games this season.
Two bus routes will serve the corridor beginning Monday, Jan. 5. They are:
- Route 888, which will serve existing Northstar stops in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and downtown Minneapolis. Route 888 trips will operate in each direction every 30 minutes during weekday peak periods (6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and every 60 minutes midday. Three inbound and three outbound trips will also be provided on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Route 827 (replacing Route 852), running between Fridley and downtown Minneapolis. On weekdays, trips will run every 30 minutes during peak periods (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and every 60 minutes midday. Trips will run hourly in each direction on Saturdays.
Schedules will be published later this year.
Recognizing a shift in travel habits and limitations in altering commuter rail schedules, plans to explore a transition from commuter rail to bus service were announced earlier this year.
The new bus options were informed by feedback from corridor residents and Northstar riders.
The Northstar Commuter Rail Line opened in 2009. In 2024, it saw 430 average weekday rides, well below the 2,600 average weekday rides it saw before the pandemic.
Plans to preserve key assets for future intercity rail uses and local interests are being developed.