Bus service continues between Forest Lake and Minneapolis

Council and local partners keep the service rolling

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
(651) 602-1357

Express bus service running between Forest Lake and downtown Minneapolis will continue under an arrangement that’s being worked out between the Metropolitan Council and a myriad of funding partners. The fate of the popular bus service is now in the hands of local and regional government after federal funds expired with the opening of the new I-35W bridge.

The service was launched in January 2008 as a demonstration to help mitigate impacts of the I-35W bridge collapse. It was paid for with emergency transit funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation; funds that were scheduled to terminate when the new bridge opened for business.

The route became so popular, however, that local residents and units of government rallied to keep the service on the road.

Under an agreement the Metropolitan Council has proposed:

The Metropolitan Council would continue to operate the service;

The Metropolitan Council, along with Anoka, Chisago and Washington counties would split the cost of the service through 2008, projected at $180,000, four ways, 25 percent each;

In 2009, Anoka, Chisago and Washington counties and the cities of Forest Lake and Columbus would pay the capital costs of the service, estimated at $343,000, and the Metro Council would pay for operations;

In 2010 and thereafter, the cities of Forest Lake and Columbus would assume the capital costs related to the service, either through a levy for transit capital or some other funding source.

In addition to the funding partnership among governmental units, local residents will pick up a higher share of the cost in the form of a higher fare; one that is more consistent with similar service in the region. Beginning Oct. 1, the one-way fare will be $4.75.

“The current fare of $2.75 was established for only the duration of the I-35W emergency,” said Arlene McCarthy, Director of Metropolitan Transportation Services. “The higher fare is consistent with similar long-distance service and reflects the fact that federal funds are no longer available.”

“At this point in time, the service will run at least through October and we continue to hammer out the financial details with the various funding partners,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “The service is popular with customers. It has demonstrated market demand for transit in the northeast part of the region, and helps to relieve some of the pressure on congested roads.”

“As always, the devil is in the details, but I think it’s a testament to the good work that can come from local and regional collaboration,” said Bell.

The cost of the service is $800,000 a year, including the cost of leasing the vehicles. Rider Alerts are being posted so Route 288 customers are aware of the new fare and service continuation.