Several Metro Transit bus routes will see improvements and schedule changes on Saturday, Dec. 5, as the agency continues to make transit a more convenient option across the metro. Among the changes taking effect:
Extending some Route 71 trips north to the I-35E & County Road E Park & Ride, improving access to housing, employment, and retail centers in Vadnais Heights.
On Sundays, trips on routes 65 and 87 will operate every 30 minutes between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., matching their Saturday schedules. Trips on these routes, which run between Rosedale and St. Paul, now run every hour on Sundays.
Schedules on nearly 30 routes will be adjusted as construction-related detours are lifted. This includes changes to Route 18, which will operate on a new stretch of Nicollet Avenue opening north of Lake Street. The new roadway, which includes a segment of bus only lanes, reconnects Nicollet Avenue for the first time since 1977.
The changes are part of an ongoing effort to adapt and expand service as outlined in the Network Now framework informed by riders and endorsed by the Metropolitan Council in 2025.
“These service improvements will expand access to convenient, reliable service, making transit a more attractive option all across our region,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said.
Improvements made earlier in 2025 include the expansion of service on Route 94, providing express service between St. Paul and Minneapolis, the introduction of midday service on Route 270 between Maplewood and Minneapolis, and the expansion of on-demand Metro micro service to Brooklyn Park.
When Network Now is fully implemented, there will be 40% more service available compared to December 2023. As of December 2026, approximately 50% of service growth identified on the Network Now Framework has been implemented.
Through the end of October 2026, systemwide ridership is up 2% compared to the same period last year, with total monthly ridership surpassing 5 million rides for the first time since at least January 2022 in both September and October.
Find all updated schedules and trip planning tools on Metro Transit’s website.
Service improvements continue into 2027
The December changes come as Metro Transit prepares for further growth in 2027, including:
Extending the METRO Gold Line from St. Paul to Minneapolis, merging the existing bus rapid transit line with the Route 94 to provide a one-seat ride across the metro. Service on the extended Gold Line will begin on Saturday, March 27, 2027.
Extending the METRO Green Line from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, bringing light rail service to St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. Service on the extended Green Line will begin on Saturday, June 12, 2027.
Opening the first phase of the METRO G Line, a new bus rapid transit line opening in December 2027 with service on Rice and Robert streets.
Improvements to bus routes connecting with the extended Green Line and new Highway 55 corridor bus service are also planned. The Council will consider an amendment to the Network Now framework in November to solidify these plans, which were shared for public comment this summer.
Expanding transit workforce supporting service growth
Service growth is supported by transit workers, including operators and technicians. Metro Transit has hired hundreds of new workers this year and is actively seeking full- and part-time bus operators, bus and rail technicians, and police officers.
Explore all career opportunities, benefits, and information about hiring bonuses at metrotransit.org/careers.
Contact: John Komarek, [email protected]