C Line (Penn Avenue rapid bus service)
The C Line is a new kind of bus service for the Twin Cities’ busiest urban streets. Rapid bus service is a package of transit enhancements that adds up to a faster trip and an improved experience.
• Faster service
• Train-like features
• Enhanced stations
• Enhanced security
• Larger & specialized vehicles
> The C Line Fact Sheet has details on these features
Preliminary design plans posted
Preliminary designs for Penn Avenue stations are now posted on the Design Development page. You can review the Preliminary Design Public Engagement Plan here.
Long-term recommendation:
Move C Line to Glenwood Avenue when LRT opens
The C Line will run on Olson Memorial Highway when it opens in 2019. However, light rail transit is also planned for Olson Memorial Highway and is scheduled to open in 2021. Following a study process that began in response to stakeholder input, Metro Transit recommends that the C Line move to Glenwood Avenue from Olson Highway when light rail opens.
Moving the C Line from Olson Highway to Glenwood Avenue will balance transitway service throughout multiple corridors, rather than concentrating investments on a single street, and provide access to a broader part of North Minneapolis. With the C Line on Glenwood Avenue, bus service on Olson Highway can be better tailored to adapt to customer demand shifting to rail.
> See the recommendation summary here
> See meeting video and materials from recent engagement work here
Project timeline
> 2016-2017: Metro Transit is advancing project engineering throughout 2016-2017.
> 2018: Pending full funding, the C Line will be constructed in 2018, along with coordinated street improvements on Penn Avenue.
> 2019: The C Line is scheduled to open for revenue service in 2019 on Olson Memorial Highway, pending full funding.
> Future: A future potential realignment to Glenwood Avenue would occur in coordination with light rail transit opening on Olson Highway and the completion of stations on Glenwood Avenue.