Met Council seeks feedback on proposed bus connections to Metro Transit Orange Line
The Metropolitan Council and Minneapolis area Metro Transit are seeking customer feedback to help improve connections between the METRO Orange Line, the new bus rapid transit (BRT) line, and other bus routes in anticipation of the Orange Line opening late 2021.
From Jan. 25 to Feb. 22, Metro Transit is asking the public to review a concept plan and submit comments about the proposal to improve connectivity of bus service in south Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield and Edina. Feedback will inform and help finalize the bus service changes that go into effect at the end of the year when the Orange Line opens to customers.
The METRO Orange Line is a 17-mile BRT line that runs along the I-35W corridor with frequent all-day service between downtown Minneapolis and Burnsville.
Changes would eliminate, add bus routes
The concept plan proposes changes to 11 bus routes. The most significant proposed changes are:
- Elimination of routes 535 and 597;
- Four new suburban local routes;
- A direct connection via 98th St., between the Orange Line and Normandale Community College on Route 539; and
- A direct crosstown connection at Knox Ave. and American Blvd. Station for access along the entire corridor south of I-494 in Bloomington on Route 542.
The study area is bounded by the Mississippi River on the east, I-394 on the north, Highway 169 on the west and the Minnesota River on the south. The study area does not include Burnsville or areas south of the Minnesota River where Minnesota Valley Transit Authority is the transit service provider.
Members of the Riders Club, Rider Alerts subscribers and Go-To-Card customers can provide feedback on affected routes via a survey, a public meeting, via email, via phone, via social media and via mail.
