Bus
Network Next is a 20-year plan for expanding and improving the bus network. Transit improvements under consideration include improved local and express routes, integrated shared mobility options, and new arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.
The METRO Orange Line will use roadway improvements, upgraded transit stations and highway Bus Rapid Transit service to provide a fast, frequent and reliable all-day route on I-35W between Minneapolis and Burnsville.
The D Line will upgrade and substantially replace Route 5, operating primarily on Chicago and Emerson/Fremont Avenues between Brooklyn Center and Bloomington. Construction would begin in 2021, pending full project funding.
The B Line will upgrade and substantially replace the western portion of Route 21, serving Lake Street and Marshall Avenue between uptown Minneapolis and the Midway area in St. Paul. Planning for this project has begun.
The E Line will upgrade and substantially replace parts of Route 6 in the Hennepin Avenue corridor, serving Uptown Minneapolis.
The METRO Gold Line is a planned nine-mile dedicated Bus Rapid Transit line that will connect St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale and Woodbury generally along I-94. It will be Minnesota's first BRT line that operates primarily within exclusive bus-only lanes.
Improving the experience while you wait for your ride
Metro Transit is working to improve the customer experience at the bus stop.
Individuals, businesses, and community groups can show neighborhood pride by caring for a nearby transit stop.
Rail
The proposed Southwest Transitway will link the southwest metro with downtown Minneapolis, and allowing a one-seat ride from Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park to St. Paul.
This light-rail line will extend northwest from Target Field, with 11 new stations in north Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park.
Facilities
Metro Transit is constructing a new 350,000 square foot bus garage in North Loop that includes employee parking, bus parking, bus maintenance facilities, and bus operator facilities.
Studies underway for future development
Metro Transit, working with the City of St. Paul and the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority, is studying transit improvements in St. Paul's Highland Park neighborhood, specifically including the Ford Site.
The Rush Line Corridor is an 80-mile travel corridor between St. Paul and Hinckley. A transit study is underway to analyze bus and rail transit alternatives between Forest Lake and Union Depot in St. Paul.
Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority is leading the planning of the Orange Line Extension. The project would extend planned METRO Orange Line BRT service to the Kenrick Avenue Park & Ride in Lakeville, adding two or more stations and five miles to the line.
Working with Scott and Hennepin counties and the Metropolitan Council, MnDOT is evaluating potential future highway BRT service along the Highway 169 corridor between downtown Minneapolis and Shakopee.
Long-range planning
The Metropolitan Council adopted this long-range plan to slow the growth in traffic congestion and improve mobility through construction of transitways.
Metro Transit developed a 10- to 15-year comprehensive service improvement plan to expand the bus system.
This 10-point plan, developed by the Minneapolis Downtown Council, calls for a livable, green, connected, exciting, and welcoming downtown with a thriving, growing transit system at its heart.