Met Council Approves Express Bus Service to Replace Northstar Rail Line Big Lake and Elk River

(KNSI) – The Metropolitan Council voted Wednesday to partner with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to launch express bus service connecting Big Lake and Elk River to downtown Minneapolis, filling a gap left by the shutdown of the Northstar commuter rail line.

The new Route 882 will begin operating on January 5th, just days after Northstar’s final run during the first weekend of January. The commuter rail’s last service will transport fans to the Minnesota Vikings’ final home game of the season, after which buses will take over.

Under the approved contract, bus trips from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis will take approximately 77 minutes, while trips from Elk River will take approximately 51 minutes. The one-way fare will be $3.25.

The Metropolitan Council previously voted to shut down Northstar due to low ridership and high operating costs, and approved two express routes to serve park-and-ride locations in Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley. However, those plans initially left Elk River and Big Lake without service.

The challenge stemmed from jurisdictional limitations. Both cities lie outside the Met Council’s seven-county service area. MnDOT’s authority to operate bus service beyond metro boundaries provided the solution, allowing the agency to contract with the Met Council for the expanded service.

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