Gold Line is first of three bus rapid transit lines opening in 2025
Providing frequent all-day bus service across a 10-mile stretch of the Interstate 94 corridor, the METRO Gold Line opened today, Saturday, March 22, significantly expanding access to jobs, housing, and other opportunities.
The Gold Line is the first of three Metro Transit bus rapid transit lines that will open in 2025 and the first in the state to operate primarily on roadway exclusively dedicated to buses.
"Today, the Twin Cities region leads the nation in many quality-of-life measures," said Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle. "As a region, we are building one of the nation's premier transportation systems, and the Gold Line represents a significant step forward in our shared commitment to creating a prosperous, equitable, and resilient metropolitan area with abundant opportunities for all residents."
The Gold Line serves St. Paul, Maplewood, Landfall, Oakdale, and Woodbury. There are around 93,000 jobs and more than 41,000 residents within a half mile of Gold Line stations. More than 16% of all households within a half mile of Gold Line stations do not have access to a vehicle.
“At Metro Transit, we are dedicated to connecting people, strengthening communities, and improving lives,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “The METRO Gold Line and all the improvements that will follow advance that mission.”
The Gold Line opens on time and within its $505 million budget. The project involved building 16 stations, as well as a dedicated road for buses, bridges, and underpasses that together will make the Gold Line a fast and reliable transportation option.
The project also included construction of a new bridge connecting Oakdale and Woodbury, Park & Rides and trails.
The Gold Line’s dedicated fleet of 60-foot buses includes five electric buses that will enter service later this year.
Also opening later this year are the METRO B Line, which will connect to the Gold Line at Union Depot, and the METRO E Line.
Together, these new lines will grow the region’s METRO network to more than 120 miles, putting 38% of the region’s households with no vehicle access, 30% of the region’s renter households, and 28% of the region’s total jobs will be within a half mile of a METRO station.?
“It’s going to be so nice to have transit at their front door”
Gold Line enthusiasts include Michaelene Comstock, who runs ANEW, a woman-only sober house just a few minutes’ walk from the Earl Street Station. Until now, women living at ANEW have had to walk 20 minutes to the nearest bus stop.
“Especially when they have a couple of kids in tow and it’s so cold, it’s going to be so nice to have it at their front door,” Comstock said.
Employees and residents at Peaceful Lodge, an Oakdale assisted living and memory care facility, are similarly excited about their proximity to the Gold Line’s Greenway Avenue Station.
“We are so excited about the Gold Line opening, not just for our employees but for our residents who have been limited in their ability to go places,” administrator Jodie Tanaka said. “We have several employees who rely on the bus and will appreciate the around-the-clock service, seven days a week.”
Gold Line trips will run every 10 minutes during most of the weekday, every 15 minutes on weekends and every 30 minutes early mornings and nights.?In part to help people get to and from Gold Line stations, the on-demand rideshare service, Metro micro, expanded to the Woodbury area in January. Plans call for extending the Gold Line to Minneapolis in 2027.
In Woodbury, a new Washington County Service Center will open later this year across from the Gold Line’s Woodlane Station. The center will serve as a hub for people seeking assistance with job searches, among other services.
“A lot of good, qualified people don’t have transportation,” said Rick Roy, manager of Workforce & Veteran Services Division with the Washington County Community Services Department. “I will suggest to employers that they state in their job postings their proximity to the Gold Line. This is a big workforce development issue.”
From 2018 to 2023, more than $805 million in permitted development occurred along the Gold Line corridor. Another $1.2 billion in potential development is being tracked.
What METRO Gold Line partners are saying
“The Gold Line is the type of transformative transportation investment that Ramsey County is proud to support. Providing frequent, top-tier transit service from Woodbury to Union Depot is an important connection to this regional transportation hub.”
Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega
“This new service greatly expands options for people on the east side. The Gold Line will help people commute to work and school, shop at Sun Ray Shopping Center, and get to medical appointments without having to worry about the price of gas, parking, and the cost of owning and maintaining a car.”
Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong
“The Gold Line will help Washington County employers attract and retain workers by offering an affordable and reliable option for employees to get to and from jobs.”
Washington County Commissioner Michelle Clasen
"Today the Gold Line is opening, but for years community investment and development have been taking place around stations all along the line."
Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski
Contact: Laura Baenen, [email protected]