Metro Transit will enhance service on more than 20 routes starting Saturday, Aug. 16, as access to transit continues to expand across the region.
Collectively, the changes taking effect in August represent a 5% increase in service and bring Metro Transit about a third of the way toward realizing the vision outlined in a service improvement framework, Network Now, endorsed earlier this year by the Metropolitan Council.
“We are excited to make transit a more convenient and attractive option for people across our region,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “These service upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to connect people, strengthen communities and improve lives by delivering high-quality public transportation. We encourage our riders and those less familiar with our services to check out these changes and consider how transit can meet more of their needs moving forward.”
Among the service improvements taking effect in August:
- New all-day express bus service to and from Park & Rides in Blaine, Mounds View, Minnetonka, Coon Rapids, and Brooklyn Park, and the reintroduction of two express routes that were suspended during the pandemic – Route 134, which runs between Highland Park and downtown Minneapolis, and Route 765, which runs between downtown Minneapolis and Target North Campus in Brooklyn Park.
- More frequent trips on some of the region’s busiest routes, including Route 18, which will run every 10 minutes every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between downtown Minneapolis and Richfield. Service is also expanding on routes 6, 68, and 645, among others.
- Expanded weekday and Saturday service and new Sunday service on Route 61, which runs between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis. To improve the rider experience, the route is also being simplified, and new shelters are being added at several stops.
Review the full list of route changes and find updated maps and schedules
Additional service improvements will take effect later this year, including:
- On Saturday, Oct. 4, trips on the Blue Line and Green Line will begin running every 12 minutes starting at 7 a.m., rather than mid-morning.
- On Saturday, Dec. 6, the METRO E Line opens. The E Line is a new bus rapid transit line that will run between Southdale and the University of Minnesota with service along France, Hennepin and University avenues.
On-demand microtransit service coming to Bloomington, Blaine
Metro micro, a rideshare service that allows people to request point-to-point rides within designated zones, is also poised to begin in parts of Bloomington on Saturday, Aug. 16, and in portions of Blaine, Coon Rapids, and Spring Lake Park on Monday, Sept. 15.
Metro micro is offered in less dense areas where on-demand service better suits transportation needs.
In Bloomington, Metro micro riders can connect to the METRO Orange Line’s 98th Street Station, accessing frequent, all-day service to downtown Minneapolis and other destinations along the I-35W corridor.
Feedback sought on future bus rapid transit lines
Efforts to identify three corridors where bus rapid transit service could be introduced beginning in 2030 are also moving forward this year.
Comments on 10 potential corridors will be accepted beginning Wednesday, July 23. This feedback, along with a technical evaluation and input from cities, counties, and MnDOT, will be used to identify the J, K, and L lines later this year.
See the list of candidate corridors and learn more at metrotransit.org/arterial-brt-plan.
Hiring success enables service improvements
Service is expanding as Metro Transit continues to have success hiring bus operators and other frontline transit workers. There are now more than 1,500 bus and train operators at Metro Transit, about 200 more than this time last year.
Applications for a variety of positions, especially in bus and rail maintenance, are being accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more at metrotransit.org/careers.
Contact: Drew Kerr, [email protected], 651-387-3928