The new A Line connects Rosedale mall to the 46th Street Blue Line station.
It would be wonderful to report that the new A Line rapid bus service is a game-changer for Twin Cities transit. It also would be an exaggeration.
Yes, the new buses are nice, with wide aisles, comfortable seats and complimentary Wi-Fi. The new shelters located along the route, which mostly travels on Snelling Avenue in St. Paul between Rosedale Center in Roseville and the 46th Street light-rail station in Minneapolis, are an improvement, with real-time digital schedule information, heaters for cold weather and improved security features.
Passengers pay before getting on the buses — as they do with light-rail trains — making boarding more efficient. A Line buses make fewer stops and can request longer green lights at intersections. They also run every 10 minutes during peak times, and some riders can cut up to eight minutes off trips made on regular buses.