Travelers in the East Metro have another transportation option beginning Monday, Jan. 6. The Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit have expanded the on-demand shared ride service, Metro micro, to serve areas in Woodbury and Roseville.
“Metro micro is part of our mission to connect people, strengthen communities, and improve lives through high-quality public transportation,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said.
“We launched micro service using small buses in north Minneapolis in 2022, and it has been very successful and popular,” said Charles Carlson, Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) Executive Director. “The service offers flexibility and convenience and helps meet a need for localized service."
As with other shared ride services, Metro micro customers request rides through an app that shows estimated arrival times and accepts fare payments. Trips must begin and end within designated Metro micro zones.
Rides can be requested between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and between 7 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on weekends. Fares range from $1 to $3.25 and allow riders to transfer to regular route transit at no additional cost.
Expanding access to key destinations, regular route transit
Metro micro provides direct access to several key destinations and transit hubs.
The Roseville area includes parts of Roseville, Arden Hills, and Shoreview. Key destinations include Roseville Area High School, Bethel University, the Shoreview Community Center, and local parks, commercial areas, and healthcare centers. At the Rosedale Transit Center, riders can transfer to the METRO A Line and other routes.
The Woodbury area includes parts of Woodbury, Oakdale, and Lake Elmo. Key destinations include Woodwinds Hospital, Woodbury High School, East Ridge High School, the Woodbury YMCA, Woodbury Lakes shopping center, and local businesses. Metro micro will also strengthen connections to the METRO Gold Line opening in March 2025.
“The service is vital for seniors and others who can’t drive,” said Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt. “We look forward to Metro micro’s success in our region.”
Larger transit service improvement plan advancing
The expansion of Metro micro is part of a broader plan to adapt and improve transit service to meet the region's changing needs in the coming years. Metro Transit's draft service improvement plan, Network Now, will be adopted this spring by the Metropolitan Council.
The plan calls for bringing Metro micro to eight suburban areas, along with expanded service on more than 65 bus routes and increased light rail service, among other changes.
“Metro micro is about more than just getting from one place to another,” said Adam Harrington, Metro Transit’s director of Service Development. “It’s about connecting communities, improving access to important services, and providing equitable transportation solutions where they are most needed.”
Contact: Drew Kerr, [email protected], 651-387-3928