The region's second rapid bus line, serving downtown and North Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, is moving forward.
The Metropolitan Council on Wednesday approved a budget amendment that brings the total amount of funding committed to stations and other improvements for the C Line to $20 million. The budget is a combination of federal transportation money and Council bonds.
“Securing funding for the C Line is an important milestone for this critical project, which will improve the experience for thousands of residents who rely on transit to access opportunity,” Council Member Gary Cunningham said.
The action follows a recent announcement of a $1.75 million Federal Transit Authority grant that will help secure at least six battery electric buses for the C Line. The C Line fleet will include at least 12 60-foot buses. The project’s base fleet is funded and the Council is looking for ways to secure additional battery electric buses and related charging equipment.
The C Line is on track to be under construction in 2018 and to open in 2019.
C Line buses will operate between downtown Minneapolis and the Brooklyn Center Transit Center, largely replacing local bus service on Route 19. Like the region’s first rapid bus line, the A Line, customers will enjoy faster, more frequent service and enhanced stations.
A 60-foot articulated bus that looks like a rapid bus is currently simulating service in the C Line corridor to help planners create a new schedule (customers cannot board the bus). C Line service is expected to be at least six minutes faster than existing local bus service.