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Metro Transit makes getting to the Get-Together easier

State Fair service gives riders three options

Whether you’re headed for work, an appointment or food and thrills, Metro Transit has you covered. For 12 days starting in late August, Metro Transit will operate the two largest transit systems in Minnesota.

As it does every weekday, the agency will field its normal level of service, using more than 800 buses to provide roughly 240,000 rides throughout the region.

On top of that service, during the Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 24 through Sept. 4, Metro Transit adds another 70 buses that serve only the fairgrounds, making the State Fair system the second-largest in the state. Last year, customers took roughly 80,000 rides per day on these buses — almost one in every three State Fair visitors arrived by bus.

Transit to the Fair: three options

Metro Transit offers three options for State Fair-goers. State Fair Express service, free shuttles and regular bus routes.

Express service — buses that travel from free suburban parking lots directly to the fairgrounds — costs $5 roundtrip (except on Aug. 30 – see box at right). Express service operates every 15 minutes daily from Brookdale, Northtown, Bloomington (east of Mall of America) and Southdale. Half-hour service is available every day of the fair from Maplewood Mall, Oakdale Center, Signal Hills Shopping Center and the Cottage Grove park-and-ride lot. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Metro Transit also operate State Fair Express buses.

Free shuttle buses serve 31 parking lots within a few miles of the fairgrounds. The most popular free lot is at the University of Minnesota. Its 4,000 parking spaces are just six minutes from the fairgrounds via a buses-only transitway.

Three regular bus routes serve the fairgrounds directly. The special fair-only Route 960 offers quick service between Nicollet Mall and the fairgrounds, a great option for those who live or work in downtown Minneapolis. Because Route 960 uses the U of M transitway, travel time between downtown and the fairgrounds is roughly 15 minutes.

In addition, Route 3 (Como Avenue) and Route 84 (Snelling Avenue) serve the fairgrounds directly and will have extra buses during the fair to accommodate added demand.

Hop on Transit and Save Day –Aug. 30

The best day to go to the Fair is Wednesday, Aug. 30, Hop on Transit and Save Day, when transit customers receive special perks. On that day only, State Fair Express fares will drop from $5 to $3 per person.

In addition, everyone who pays a transit fare that day — whether they take a State Fair Express or regular-route bus — will receive $2 off admission tickets purchased at the gate. (Discount does not apply to free shuttle buses.) There also will be all-day discounts on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides.

At Carousel Park near the Grandstand, Metro Transit will present a look at transit from the past, present and future, a wheel of prizes and a Transit Talent stage featuring entertainment by Metro Transit employees.