Metro Transit provided 575,348 rides to and from 2015 State Fair; an 8 percent increase in ridership from 2014
ST. PAUL, MN – Traveling to the Minnesota State Fair on transit is as fun and easy as taking a trip down the Giant Slide at the Midway, as Lt. Governor Tina Smith demonstrated Sunday. Boarding a State Fair Express Bus near downtown Minneapolis, Lt. Governor Smith avoided parking headaches and beat traffic on the way to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Joined by Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck, the trip to the fairgrounds took just 20 minutes. The trip was shortened by using the bus-only University of Minnesota Transitway, and the Transit Hub immediately adjacent to the fairgrounds’ west entrance.
“Transit is often the more convenient and stress-free way to get where you want to go, and that’s especially true of big events like the State Fair,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “My family and I have been taking the bus to the fairgrounds for years – I hope everyone gives it a try, so they can focus on enjoying the ride instead of fighting traffic.”
Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, and SouthWest Transit provide express bus service to the fairgrounds from 33 Park and Ride locations across the Twin Cities, with trips running every 15 to 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to midnight throughout the duration of the fair. Select Park and Rides are open only on weekends and Labor Day.
“The best of Minnesota is on display at the State Fair, from agriculture to new inventions, to the best food you can find deep fried or on a stick,” said Chair Adam Duininck. “But this year, you can get to the fair on a true Minnesota innovation, the A Line rapid bus service. We’re proud of this new service and excited to show it off to the entire state.”
In addition to express buses, Route 960 provides service from downtown Minneapolis to the Transit Hub. Fairgoers also can reach the fairgrounds on Route 3, and the A Line BRT and Route 84, which connect with the METRO Green Line at University and Snelling avenues. There will be connecting Express Bus service at Fridley Station for Northstar customers each weekend of the fair.
In 2015, Metro Transit provided 575,348 rides to and from last year’s State Fair. That was a 8 percent increase in ridership from 2014 and the highest ridership on State Fair Express Bus and regular route services ever.
