Metro Transit seeks feedback on proposed bus connections to Orange Line

Date: Monday, January 25, 2021

A group of people boarding a Route 535 bus in downtown Minneapolis on a winter night.In anticipation of the METRO Orange Line opening in late 2021, Metro Transit looks to improve connections between the new bus rapid transit line and other bus routes.

From Jan. 25 to Feb. 22, Metro Transit asks the public to review a concept plan and submit comments about the proposal to improve connectivity of bus service in south Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina. Feedback will inform and help finalize the bus service changes that go into effect at the end of the year when the Orange Line opens to customers.

The METRO Orange Line is a 17-mile BRT line that runs along the I-35W corridor with frequent all-day service between downtown Minneapolis and Burnsville.

Changes would eliminate, add bus routes

The concept plan proposes changes to 11 bus routes. The most significant proposed changes:

  • Elimination of routes 535 and 597

  • Four new suburban local routes

  • A direct connection via 98th St., between the Orange Line and Normandale Community College on Route 539

  • A direct crosstown connection at Knox Ave. and American Blvd. Station for access along the entire corridor south of I-494 in Bloomington on Route 542

The study area is bounded by the Mississippi River on the east, I-394 on the north, Highway 169 on the west, and the Minnesota River on the south. The study area does not include Burnsville or areas south of the Minnesota River where Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is the transit service provider.

More information about the Connecting Bus Service Study

How to provide feedback

We are asking members of the Riders Club, Rider Alerts subscribers, and Go-To-Card customers on affected routes to provide feedback:

Posted In: Transportation

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