Metro (Minnesota)

Metro
Company type	Public transportation system
Industry	Public transport
Founded	2004
Headquarters	Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, United States
Area served	Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, Minnesota
Owner	Metropolitan Council (via Metro Transit)
Parent	Metro Transit
Website	www.metrotransit.org

Metro (presented as METRO) represents a public transportation system serving the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota. By 2025, the network comprises two light rail routes—the Blue and Green—alongside six bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors: Gold, Orange, Red, A, B, C, and D. These lines are all managed by Metro Transit, operating under the oversight of the region’s metropolitan planning agency. The system facilitates connectivity between Minneapolis and Saint Paul and their surrounding suburbs.

During the 1970s, concurrent with the development of Washington D.C.’s Metro and San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit, the newly established Metropolitan Council explored a comparable mass transit concept for Minneapolis-St. Paul. However, legislative resistance led to the abandonment of this initiative. It was not until the late 1990s that light rail proposals, particularly for the University Avenue corridor—today’s Green Line—gained significant traction.

In 1999, funding was secured by the Minnesota Legislature for the inaugural route—the Blue Line—along Hiawatha Avenue in south Minneapolis, which commenced operations in 2004. To enhance route clarity, Metro Transit undertook a rebranding effort in 2011, assigning distinct colors to each line. The Red Line BRT service began in 2013, succeeded by the Green Line light rail launch in 2014.

The A Line, Metro Transit’s first arterial BRT running along Snelling Avenue between the Blue and Green Lines, started service on June 11, 2016. Following this, the C Line launched on June 8, 2019, connecting downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center via Olson Memorial Highway and Penn Avenue.

Up until August 17, 2019, the Green Line operated continuously around the clock—the sole U.S. light rail system to do so—before overnight operations were replaced with bus shuttle services. Presently, the Blue Line operates from 3:19 AM until 12:50 AM, while the Green Line runs from 4:29 AM to 12:10 AM. Additionally, Metro Transit offers overnight shuttle connections between Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

The Orange Line BRT commenced on December 4, 2021, linking Burnsville to downtown Minneapolis via Interstate 35W with stops in Bloomington and Richfield. The D Line began service on December 3, 2022, running between Mall of America and Brooklyn Center through downtown Minneapolis. The Gold Line—Metro’s first BRT operating predominantly on dedicated lanes—opened March 22, 2025, connecting downtown Saint Paul with Woodbury along Interstate 94. The B Line rapid transit bus serving the Selby-Lake corridor between Minneapolis and Saint Paul started operations on June 14, 2025.

Lines

Light rail:

Blue Line: from Target Field Station to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and continuing to Mall of America
Green Line: linking Target Field Station through University of Minnesota to Union Depot

Bus rapid transit (BRT):

Gold Line: running between Union Depot and Woodlane Park & Ride
Orange Line: connecting Downtown Minneapolis with Burnsville Heart of the City
Red Line: linking Mall of America with Apple Valley Transit Station
A Line: spanning from 46th Street station to Rosedale Transit Center
B Line: connecting Lake & France to Union Depot
C Line: serving Downtown Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center Transit Center
D Line: running between Mall of America and Brooklyn Center Transit Center via Downtown Minneapolis

The Metro transit network consists of eight lines: two light rail routes—the Blue Line linking downtown Minneapolis with both the airport and Mall of America, and the Green Line connecting downtown Minneapolis to downtown Saint Paul through the University of Minnesota—and six BRT corridors. Among these BRT routes, Red and Orange Lines primarily operate along freeway corridors serving southern suburbs via Cedar Avenue and Interstate 35W respectively. The Gold Line is notable for its operation on an exclusive busway adjacent to Interstate 94. The arterial BRT lines A, B, C, and D enhance existing transit corridors by providing upgraded services that interface with other Metro lines at key transfer stations.

Major transfer points include Target Field Station, which serves Blue, Green, Orange, C, and D Lines; Mall of America station, accommodating Blue, Red, and D Lines; and Saint Paul Union Depot, a hub for Green, Gold, and B Lines with planned expansions to increase its capacity.

Most routes maintain a frequency of every fifteen minutes during daytime hours with less frequent service during nights and weekends. The system benefits from transit priority measures such as dedicated bus lanes and signal prioritization. Stations offer amenities such as heated waiting areas, fare payment at stations before boarding, and electronic NexTrip displays delivering real-time departure information. Furthermore, Metro Transit’s website provides live updates alongside trip planning resources.

Fares

Metro utilizes a proof-of-payment approach, requiring passengers to obtain tickets prior to boarding either from station vending machines or by tapping a Go-To card at designated terminals. These tickets remain valid for 2½ hours, permitting unlimited transfers across Metro lines and Metro Transit bus routes within the same fare category. Within the two Downtown Zones of Minneapolis and St. Paul, fares are set at 50¢; however, these tickets do not allow transfers. Certain buses operating on Nicollet Mall provide Free Ride service, while standard fares apply elsewhere.

Adults: $2
Youth, Seniors, Medicare recipients: $1
Individuals with disabilities: $1 (both regular and express routes)
Children under 5: Free when accompanied by a paying passenger (maximum of 3 children)
Express Bus: $3.25 during peak hours, $2.50 during off-peak times

(Peak hours defined as Monday through Friday, 6–9 am and 3–6:30 pm)

Passengers can load all-day and multi-ride passes onto their Go-To cards.

At the University of Minnesota, all undergraduate and graduate students who pay the Transportation and Safety fee receive a Universal Transit Pass via their U-Cards. This pass allows unlimited travel on regular bus routes, Light Rail, Bus Rapid Transit, and discounted fares on the Northstar Line commuter rail. Staff members at the Twin Cities Campus may purchase a Metropass, which offers similar benefits except for the Northstar discount; as of January 2023, this pass costs $83 monthly and becomes cost-effective after approximately 26 to 33 rides per month.

Travelers at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport can ride the Blue Line free of charge between Terminal 1-Lindbergh station and Terminal 2–Humphrey station, with service available around the clock.

Future

Multiple expansion initiatives are in progress for the Metro system, encompassing light rail extensions and new bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.

Under construction

The Green Line extension, also known as the Southwest LRT, is currently being built to extend service from Target Field Station to southwestern suburbs including St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, concluding at SouthWest Station. This project received federal approval in November 2018, with construction commencing that same month. It is projected to be completed in 2027 at a cost exceeding US$2 billion, making it Minnesota's most significant infrastructure endeavor.

The E Line BRT is under development along Hennepin Avenue (formerly served by Route 6). Originally planned to run from downtown Minneapolis to a future Lake Street station on the Green Line extension, the route was adjusted in 2019 to start at Stadium Village, pass through Dinkytown and Hennepin Avenue southward to Southdale Transit Center in Edina. The E Line's opening is scheduled for December 6, 2025.

Planned projects

The Blue Line extension (also called the Bottineau LRT) intends to reach Brooklyn Park. After unsuccessful attempts to secure access to BNSF Railway's corridor, the Metropolitan Council is investigating alternative routes primarily along Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81). Public feedback was solicited in 2021 regarding options for southern alignments.

The Gold Line will extend service into downtown Minneapolis via Interstate 94, replacing Route 94 and including a stop at Snelling Avenue to connect with the A Line. It is anticipated to launch in 2027.

The Purple Line, previously known as the Rush Line Corridor, is a proposed BRT route linking downtown Saint Paul with northeastern suburbs. Initially planned along the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority corridor toward White Bear Lake, opposition from city councils in White Bear Lake and Maplewood has prompted route reconsiderations. As of April 2025, discussions with Maplewood continue with an updated preferred alignment expected later that year.

The F Line BRT is planned along Central and University Avenues (Route 10), connecting downtown Minneapolis to Northtown Transit Center in Blaine. Its construction timeline was postponed from 2025 to 2028 to align with roadway improvements by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The G Line BRT will link West St. Paul and Little Canada via downtown Saint Paul, primarily following Rice Street and Robert Street corridors (Routes 62 and 68). Engineering work aims for completion by 2026; construction will proceed in two stages between 2026 and 2028.

The H Line BRT will serve Como and Maryland Avenues (Route 3), running from downtown Minneapolis to Sun Ray Transit Center with connections to the Gold Line. Station design efforts are scheduled for 2026–2027.

Proposed projects

The Riverview Corridor serves as a connection between downtown Saint Paul and the Mall of America in Bloomington, passing through the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and linking the Blue and Green Lines. Following extensive evaluations, a contemporary streetcar route along West Seventh Street and MN-5 was selected in 2017, with an estimated budget of $2.1 billion. Nevertheless, Ramsey County withdrew support for the initiative in September 2024 due to local opposition. Subsequently, in March 2025, Saint Paul unveiled intentions to develop a $500 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along the same corridor. This plan includes a bypass around the Interstate 494/34th Avenue interchange and a dedicated busway on a Canadian Pacific Rail spur, aiming for completion in the early 2030s.

Metro Transit is in the process of choosing its upcoming trio of arterial BRT routes—the J, K, and L Lines—scheduled to commence operations between 2030 and 2035. As of April 2025, evaluations are underway for 17 potential corridors, with final selections anticipated by early 2026.

Other preliminary proposals encompass BRT service on Highway 169 stretching from northern Scott County to downtown Minneapolis; BRT along Highway 55 connecting Plymouth to downtown Minneapolis; an extension of the Orange Line reaching Burnsville Center spearheaded by Dakota County; infill stations and expansion for the Red Line; rail transit on the Midtown Greenway; Red Rock Corridor BRT operating on Highway 61 between Saint Paul and Hastings; West Broadway Modern Streetcar; Interstate 35W BRT linking Minneapolis and Blaine; Highway 36 BRT led by Washington County; MnDOT's Rethinking I-94 bus rapid transit project; County Road 42 BRT connecting Shakopee and Rosemount, managed by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority; and Bloomington-led American Boulevard BRT.

Operations

Metro system rail lines operate using a combination of exclusive rights-of-way and shared tracks. Within the two Downtown Zones, trains travel on surface streets with exclusive rights-of-way but lack signal preemption. The Blue Line predominantly follows Hiawatha Avenue (Minnesota State Highway 55) and includes a tunnel beneath the Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. The Green Line runs mostly within University Avenue’s median under exclusive right-of-way conditions, except for a brief portion along the Washington Avenue Transit Mall where it shares space with buses. Blue Line crossings at grade feature automated gates for safety; Green Line crossings occur amidst regular traffic but benefit from signal priority without full preemption.

Since extending stations to accommodate three-car trains in winter 2010, Metro Transit operates one-, two-, and three-car configurations on the Blue Line according to passenger demand. Early station designs often supported only one- or two-car trains to minimize initial expenses but were constructed with future expansion in mind; all stations now support three-car operations. The Green Line was built with platforms designed from the outset for three-car trains at every station.

Rolling stock

The Metro system currently utilizes three distinct Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) models.

Type I LRVs consist of Bombardier Flexity Swift low-floor cars designed for accessible boarding. Metro Transit operates a fleet of 27 vehicles (numbered 101–127), which were repainted by 2015 to align with Metro branding and upgraded with colored LCD destination signs.

Type II LRVs are the Siemens S70/Avantos model, with a total of 64 units primarily acquired for Green Line service. These vehicles are mechanically compatible with Type I units but differ electronically, allowing them to operate on shared tracks but restricting multiple-unit trainsets to consist solely of one type.

Type III LRVs belong to the Siemens S700 series. In 2016, Metro Transit placed an order for an additional 27 Siemens S70 cars intended for the Southwest Corridor expansion. These feature an updated center-truck design that accommodates sideways-facing seats to enhance passenger movement within the car. Siemens rebranded this updated model as S700 in 2018 and retrospectively applied this designation to all such vehicles, including Metro Transit's Type III fleet (numbers 301–327). The first S700 units were delivered in May 2020.

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