Mall of America station
| Company type | Transit hub |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Bloomington, Minnesota , United States |
Area served | Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area |
| Owner | Metro Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority |
The Mall of America transit hub stands as Minnesota's most frequented transportation center, connecting the shopping complex to the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area through both bus and light rail services. Managed by Metro Transit along with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, this station accommodates the Metro Blue Line, Red Line, and D Line. Since 2015, private shuttle operations serving hotels and Mystic Lake Casino have been relocated to a charter bus facility located north of the mall.
A comprehensive $25 million renovation of the station was finalized on October 14, 2019, followed by a formal ribbon-cutting event on February 14, 2020.
Location and design
Established in 1994 concurrently with the Mall of America’s opening, the transit center initially provided bus-only service. Early on, there were issues with groups gathering at the station after mall hours, leading to concerns about safety. Although the mall requested Metro Transit to halt bus operations during those times, this was not approved. Instead, the mall introduced a policy requiring teenagers to be accompanied by an adult, a rule that persists today.
Initial designs positioned the light rail stop and a 200-space park-and-ride lot across 24th Avenue, connected via a skyway passing through the parking structure to both the bus terminal and mall entrance. Mall officials opposed situating the light rail station on their premises, arguing that "LRT needs the mall more than the mall needs LRT." However, in June 2003, with intervention from the Federal Transit Administration and an additional $39.9 million in funding, the rail alignment was extended southward into the transit center itself, allowing direct bus connectivity. Consequently, the park-and-ride was shifted to 30th Avenue station using funds originally earmarked for American Boulevard station, which was postponed.
Both bus and train platforms are located on the ground level of the east parking ramp of the mall. Prior to renovations in 2019, passengers were required to exit outdoors and cross the mall’s ring road to access it. The modernized transit center now features an underpass beneath the road providing seamless entry into the mall.
The original facility was characterized by a functional but uninspired design with minimal aesthetic appeal. Steve Elkins of the Met Council described it as "dark and dank," emphasizing its lack of safety and attractiveness.
Metro service
The Mall of America functions as the southern endpoint for both the Metro Blue Line (light rail) and D Line (bus rapid transit), while serving as the northern terminus for the Metro Red Line (BRT). The Blue Line offers connections from the mall to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and downtown Minneapolis along Hiawatha Avenue. The Red Line provides service toward Eagan and Apple Valley via Cedar Avenue. Meanwhile, the D Line travels northward to Brooklyn Center passing through downtown Minneapolis. Light rail operations commenced on December 4, 2004; BRT services began on June 22, 2013.
Plans also designate this station as the future terminus for the Riverview Modern Streetcar, a hybrid between light rail and streetcar technology. The 2019 upgrade incorporated infrastructure supporting the D Line and allocated space for an additional platform intended for either Riverview Streetcar service or potential expansion of the Blue Line.
Commuter traffic
The mall does not offer a park and ride service; overnight parking is forbidden to avoid misuse by train travelers heading to the airport. Instead, commuters are encouraged to use the complimentary parking ramp located at 30th Avenue Station, situated approximately east of the mall.
2019 renovation
The Mall of America Transit Station underwent a $25 million overhaul aimed at increasing capacity, streamlining operations, and enhancing the overall passenger experience. Prior to this update, buses and delivery vehicles shared a single entry checkpoint, resulting in delays caused by security screenings and necessitating the crossing of LRT tracks. Trains required between 70 and 140 seconds to clear these crossings, which created congestion since buses also crossed the LRT tracks when exiting.
A Minnesota Senate report from the 2015–2016 legislative session identified the station as functionally outdated, highlighting insufficient external signage and inadequate pedestrian accessibility. The renovation improved station features, visual appeal, user comfort, and pedestrian routes while removing LRT track crossings for buses and segregating delivery vehicle inspection points.
The project’s funding sources comprised $8.75 million from state bonds, $7 million in federal assistance, $5 million from Bloomington, $2.25 million from the Counties Transit Improvement Board, and $2 million contributed by Metro Transit. No financial input was provided by either Mall of America or the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. The updated waiting area, entrance, and bus terminal became operational on October 14, 2019, with final enhancements completed in November. The transit station was formally dedicated on February 14, 2020.