Metro Transit (Minnesota)
| Company type | Public agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area , United States |
Area served | Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, Minnesota |
| Products | Fixed-route buses, light rail, commuter rail, paratransit services |
| Parent | Metropolitan Council |
| Website | www |
Metro Transit serves as the leading public transportation provider within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan region of Minnesota, holding the distinction of being the largest transit operator in the state. In , it facilitated a total of trips, averaging roughly per weekday as reported in .
Operating under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Council, which functions as the area's metropolitan planning organization, Metro Transit is responsible for transporting between 90% and 95% of local transit users via an extensive system comprising fixed-route buses, light rail, and commuter rail services. The balance of ridership is managed by suburban "opt-out" agencies such as Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), Maple Grove Transit, and Southwest Transit (SW Transit). Additionally, the University of Minnesota runs its own campus shuttle program coordinated with Metro Transit’s operations. This transit network ranks among the fastest expanding in the United States.
In 2017, bus services accounted for approximately 68% of total ridership. The Green Line light rail was the most heavily utilized route, carrying just over 16% of passengers, followed by the Blue Line at 13%. The A Line, an arterial rapid bus service, served close to 2%, while about 1% of riders used the Northstar Commuter Rail. The system reached its peak annual ridership in 2015 with 85.8 million trips—divided into 62.1 million (72%) bus trips and 23.7 million (28%) on rail lines including the newly inaugurated Green Line at that time. The highest recorded single-day ridership was 369,626 passengers on September 1, 2016.
Metro Transit’s employees, encompassing operators and maintenance personnel, are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union. Paratransit offerings are delivered under the Metro Mobility brand through contracts with private companies like First Transit.
History
The agency was established by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1967 as the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) with a mandate to oversee transit planning and enhancements throughout the metropolitan area. The idea originated in 1950 and gained legislative backing following two studies conducted in 1965. At that time, the main transit operator, Twin City Lines, maintained a largely outdated fleet and faced criticism for inadequate service and poor coordination with suburban bus providers. Despite initial resistance from lawmakers, MTC was formed in 1967 with nine members appointed by local governments and the governor. Shortly thereafter, it adopted its distinctive "Circle T" emblem.
Due to limited internal expertise, MTC engaged Simpson & Curtin to assess and recommend transit improvements while Alan M. Voorhees & Associates developed a comprehensive long-term plan that included rapid transit options. Attempts to purchase Twin City Lines started in 1968 but were complicated by MTC’s lack of condemnation authority and Twin City Lines’ unwillingness to sell. In 1969, Simpson & Curtin advised public ownership because of Twin City Lines’ neglect of service quality. On September 18, 1970, MTC acquired Twin City Lines from businessman Carl Pohlad, launching a $20 million modernization initiative partially funded by $9.7 million in federal aid. This program involved acquiring new buses, constructing shelters, installing signage, and establishing a round-the-clock information center. By 1975, MTC had absorbed four suburban private operators, added 665 new buses to its fleet, and inaugurated its first highway express bus routes.
Efforts to revive rail transit commenced soon after but encountered political obstacles spanning decades. A 1972 Regional Fixed Guideway Study proposed a $1.3 billion heavy rail network; however, conflicting plans from the Metropolitan Council delayed advancement. Alternative concepts such as small vehicle guideways and light rail emerged through the 1970s and 1980s, with corridors like the Central Corridor earmarked for development.
In 1994, MTC was integrated into the Metropolitan Council and renamed Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO). Due to limited public recognition of this title, it was rebranded as Metro Transit in 1997 amid growing enthusiasm for light rail projects. Between 1998 and 1999, key local officials secured funding for what became known as the Hiawatha Line, which launched light rail service on June 26, 2004—more than half a century after streetcar operations ceased under Twin City Lines. Heavy-rail commuter service began with the inauguration of the Northstar Line on November 14, 2009.
Metro Transit's service area does not cover all parts of the Twin Cities region. During the early 1980s, suburban bus routes were reduced significantly, leaving suburb-to-suburb connections limited. Since 1986, municipalities and counties within the metro area have been permitted to operate independent bus services outside Metro Transit's jurisdiction; presently about six such "opt out" systems provide roughly 17.5% of regular route transit in the area. Approximately 5% of Metro Transit's operations are contracted out to private firms.
Funding
The primary sources of Metro Transit’s financing include the State Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, allocations from the State General Fund, fare revenues, and federal funding. Although an annual budget calendar is developed, most financial resources are distributed through a biennial state budget cycle beginning July 1. Between 2001 and 2006, reductions in state funding prompted service cutbacks, fare increases, and fuel surcharges, which collectively contributed to a decline in ridership.
Local regulations require that fares cover one-third of the agency’s funding; current operations slightly surpass this threshold. On October 1, 2008, a uniform fare increase of 25 cents was implemented across all bus and rail services. Express routes impose higher charges for limited-stop segments, while eligible passengers—such as those with disabilities—pay $1. Previously, rush-hour fares were elevated; for instance, express bus trips during peak times cost $3.25 compared to $2.50 off-peak. In 2024, Metro Transit announced it would eliminate rush-hour fare premiums to streamline pricing structures, effective January 1, 2025.
Fare zones are primarily confined to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, where rides incur an additional $0.50 charge. Transfers are valid for up to 2.5 hours following fare payment. Distance-based fares apply solely to the Northstar commuter rail line. Various discounted transit passes are available, and since early 2007, fare payment has been facilitated by the contactless Go-To card system.
A subsequent fare increase took place in 2017: local off-peak fares rose from $1.75 to $2; peak fares increased from $2.25 to $2.50; fares for Metro Mobility users went up from $3.50 to $4.50 with an added 75-cent surcharge for trips exceeding 15 miles; Transit Link Dial-A-Ride fares also saw an approximate $1.60 hike accompanied by a similar distance surcharge.
METRO System
Metro refers to the Metropolitan Council-owned network comprising frequent all-day light rail and bus rapid transit services throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Metro Transit manages the Metro Blue Line and Metro Green Line light rail routes as well as the bus rapid transit corridors: Metro A, B, C, D, Orange, Red, and Gold Lines. The Metro E Line and an extension of the Green Line are currently under development.
Light rail
The METRO Blue Line was Minnesota’s inaugural light rail service when it began operations on June 26, 2004, linking Hennepin Ave./Warehouse District Station with Fort Snelling. Service was extended on December 4, 2004, to reach Mall of America station via Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport. On November 14, 2009, the line was further extended northward to Target Field (Metro Transit Station), providing a connection with the Northstar Commuter Rail line. Future plans include a northern expansion toward Brooklyn Park.
The METRO Green Line commenced service on June 14, 2014, connecting Downtown Minneapolis with the University of Minnesota, Midway neighborhood, Saint Anthony Park, the State Capitol area, and Downtown St. Paul. The Southwest LRT extension is currently under construction to serve southwestern suburbs such as Eden Prairie. Due to soil complications within the Kenilworth Corridor, its anticipated opening has been postponed from 2023 to approximately 2027.
Arterial bus rapid transit
The METRO A Line travels along Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway, connecting the Blue Line at 46th Street Station to the Rosedale Transit Center, with an interchange at the METRO Green Line Snelling Avenue station. This was the inaugural bus rapid transit route to replace heavily utilized local bus lines, commencing service on June 11, 2016.
Operating along the Selby-Lake corridor, the METRO B Line links West Lake Station near Minneapolis' Uptown district to downtown Saint Paul. It began service on June 14, 2025.
The METRO C Line runs on Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Highway, connecting Brooklyn Center, North Minneapolis, and Downtown Minneapolis. Service started on June 8, 2019.
The METRO D Line serves the Fremont and Chicago Avenues corridor, connecting Brooklyn Center, North Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, and the Mall of America. It launched operations on December 3, 2022.
Highway bus rapid transit
The METRO Red Line provides bus rapid transit between the Metro Blue Line at Mall of America and the southern suburb of Apple Valley. This service began on June 22, 2013, initially managed by Minnesota Valley Transit Authority for the Metropolitan Council. On December 4, 2020, Metro Transit assumed full operational control of the Red Line.
Running along Interstate 35W, the METRO Orange Line connects Downtown Minneapolis with Burnsville. After extensive corridor planning over many years, bus rapid transit was chosen as the preferred transit mode. Service commenced on December 4, 2021.
Bus rapid transit
The METRO Gold Line links Downtown Saint Paul to Woodbury via bus rapid transit featuring dedicated lanes for approximately 90% of its route—the first in Minnesota designed with this feature. It began operations on March 22, 2025. By 2027, the Gold Line is planned to extend to Minneapolis, replacing weekday express bus service along I-94 between these cities.
Metro Purple Line
Currently undergoing environmental review, the METRO Purple Line is a bus rapid transit project planned to run from downtown Saint Paul to White Bear Lake. Between 85% and 90% of this route will utilize dedicated lanes. The estimated project cost ranges from $420 million to $470 million, with a potential opening date as soon as 2026.
Arterial bus rapid transit
The METRO E Line is under construction along Hennepin Avenue. This route will connect the University of Minnesota with Downtown Minneapolis, Uptown, Southwest Minneapolis, and Southdale Center. Construction commenced in spring 2024 and is expected to be completed by December 2025.
Other corridors
In fall 2020, Metro Transit restarted community outreach efforts focused on upgrading local routes to bus rapid transit as part of Network Next. Out of eleven corridors considered, three were selected for BRT upgrades following completion of the E Line. These corridors are scheduled for concurrent construction around 2024–2025 and will become part of the METRO system. In February 2021, these selected corridors were announced as:
- F Line: Connecting Northtown Mall to Downtown Minneapolis via Central Avenue, replacing Route 10.
- G Line: Running from Little Canada Transit Center through Downtown Saint Paul to Dakota County Service Center via Rice and Robert Streets, replacing Routes 62 and 68.
- H Line: Linking Downtown Minneapolis to Sun Ray Transit Center via Como and Maryland Avenue, replacing portions of Routes 3, 64, and 80.
Bus routes
Metro Transit oversees a total of 123 bus routes, comprising 66 local and 51 express services, along with six additional routes operated under contract by Maple Grove Transit. In 2012, the average weekday ridership was approximately 230,575 passengers. The agency maintains nearly 900 bus shelters, including 180 shelters acquired from CBS Outdoor in March 2014.
The numbering system for routes corresponds to their service areas: numbers 1–49 cover Minneapolis; 50–59 represent inner-city limited-stop routes; 60–89 serve St. Paul; and route 94 connects Minneapolis and St. Paul via I-94. Routes in the 100 series link outlying neighborhoods with downtown areas and the University of Minnesota. The 200 through 800 series serve various metropolitan suburbs: northeast (200), southeast (300), southern Dakota and Scott counties (400), Richfield/Edina/Bloomington (500), west and southwest suburbs (600), northwest (700), and northern Anoka County (800).
Generally, three-digit routes ending between x00 and x49 provide local transit connecting METRO stations and commercial centers, whereas those ending in x50 to x99 function primarily as express services linking suburban areas and park-and-ride lots to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Northstar Commuter Rail is assigned route number 888.
High Frequency Network
The High Frequency Network was introduced on September 9, 2006, featuring sixteen routes with service intervals of 15 minutes or less during weekdays (6 a.m.–7 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m.–6 p.m.). By 2023, portions of Routes 2, 3, 6, 10, 11, 18, 54, and 64, along with entire Routes 21 and 63, plus the METRO A, C, D Lines and Blue, Orange, and Green Lines were included. Some former High Frequency Network routes—such as Route 16 and segments of Routes 5, 19, and 84—were replaced by METRO lines operating along the same corridors. The High Frequency Network designation was removed from Metro Transit's maps and website by June 2025.
Northstar Line
The Northstar Line commuter rail service links Minneapolis with Big Lake, Minnesota, having been in operation since November 16, 2009. It provides three round-trips during peak travel times on weekdays in the primary travel direction plus one reverse commute trip but does not run on weekends. Bus connections extend the reach of this service to Becker and St. Cloud. Additional trains operate during special events such as Minnesota Twins baseball games and Vikings football matches; however, no service is offered on holidays.
Dedicated bus lanes
Several local bus routes utilize a dedicated transit mall along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. In 2007, this corridor accommodated roughly 964 buses daily. Beginning in 2009, most express buses were rerouted from Nicollet Mall to the paired Marquette Avenue and 2nd Avenue South streets within the Marq2 transit corridor. This federally funded $32 million project created two-lane busways that allow buses to stop at curbs while passing others in an adjacent lane. A system of lettered gates was implemented to organize stops every other block along these one-mile corridors, resulting in travel time reductions up to ten minutes across approximately 1,400 consolidated trips.
NexTrip digital arrival displays were installed on Marquette and 2nd Avenues and have since been enhanced for improved connectivity and reliability. Since 2008, real-time NexTrip information has also been accessible via Metro Transit’s website.
Bus-only lanes were introduced on Hennepin Avenue South in 2018 following a successful pilot program; these lanes have increased speed and reliability for buses and will be utilized by the forthcoming Metro E Line. While Hennepin Avenue’s bus lanes operate during peak periods only, a permanent bus-only lane active around the clock was established on downtown Minneapolis’ 7th Street in 2021. This corridor supports local and express services including Metro C and D Lines. Additionally, a southbound bus lane is present on Chicago Avenue between Lake Street and 28th Street.
Bus-only shoulders
Since 1991, Metro Transit has permitted buses to utilize "bus-only shoulders" as a means to circumvent traffic jams. These buses are allowed to travel up to or faster than vehicles in the congested general lanes. Operators must exercise caution because the shoulders typically provide only about one foot of additional width beyond the bus itself. To improve operational safety, the University of Minnesota developed a bus featuring a lane-keep system and a heads-up display integrated with radar technology that warns drivers of obstacles ahead. This system, originally adapted from snowplow equipment, is being further deployed through the Urban Partnership Agreement in support of the Marq2 initiative.
Transit centers
Metro Transit manages 29 transit centers, which function as important hubs connecting various bus and rail lines throughout the metropolitan region.
Park and rides
As of 2019, Metro Transit maintained 70 park and ride facilities offering a total of 20,570 parking spots, with an average daily usage close to 12,000 commuters. These complimentary parking areas promote the use of buses and trains for downtown commuting, helping to alleviate road congestion and reduce parking expenses. A comprehensive annual report covering the regional park and ride network, including contributions from other transit providers, is routinely released.
Better Bus Stops
In response to a 2014 investigation by the Star Tribune that exposed inconsistencies between bus shelter locations and actual rider demand, Metro Transit allocated $5.8 million—of which $3.26 million came from a Federal Transit Administration "Ladders of Opportunity" grant—to enhance shelter infrastructure. The study identified 460 stops eligible for shelters but lacking them and noted that 200 existing shelters served areas with low ridership. The Better Bus Stops initiative updated shelter placement criteria by removing separate urban-suburban distinctions and focusing solely on boarding numbers and proximity to priority destinations. Community engagement efforts consumed ten percent of the budget, resulting in redesigned bus stop signage featuring improved route details and aiming to install 150 new shelters, bringing the total close to 950.
Buses
Metro Transit's bus fleet primarily consists of Gillig Low Floor models measuring 40 feet in length, supplemented by articulated buses such as the New Flyer D60LFR and XD60, along with commuter coaches from MCI, specifically the D4500CT.
During the 2000s, buses displayed a white paint scheme accented by a blue stripe and a red-circled white "T" emblem on their roofs. Later diesel–electric hybrid models introduced yellow front panels and repositioned the blue stripe above the windows. METRO light rail vehicles feature a distinct color palette combining blue and white with yellow end caps. Additionally, some buses and light rail cars are outfitted with vehicle wrap advertisements.
All buses are designed for accessibility, incorporating either hydraulic lifts or low-floor configurations. The Metropolitan Council oversees the Metro Mobility paratransit service, which provides door-to-door transportation.
Bike racks are installed on every Metro Transit bus and rail vehicle.
Rail
Metro Transit operates 27 Bombardier Flexity Swift units on the Blue Line light rail system along with 64 Siemens S70 vehicles serving both the Blue and Green Line. The commuter rail service on the Northstar Line utilizes Bombardier BiLevel Coaches hauled by MotivePower MP36 locomotives.
See also
Regional and opt-out transit agencies:
External links
- Articles with short description
- Metro Transit (Minnesota)
- 1967 establishments in Minnesota
- Bus rapid transit in Minnesota
- Bus transportation in Minnesota
- Commuter rail in Minnesota
- Intermodal transportation authorities in Minnesota
- Light rail in Minnesota
- Paratransit services in the United States
- Transportation in Minneapolis–Saint Paul