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Metro Transit gears up for State Fair service

New express lots added, U of M shuttle location changed

Metro Transit is getting ready for an end-of-summer favorite — bus service to the Minnesota State Fair.

The agency will put in service 82 buses on weekdays and 93 buses on weekends — in addition to its regular daily schedule — to offer three easy ways to get to the fair, which runs Aug. 23 through Sept. 3.

Nearly one of every four fairgoers gets to the fairgrounds by bus, by using State Fair Express service, free shuttles or regular bus routes.

State Fair Express service

As in past years, Metro Transit will provide service from suburban parking lots directly to the fairgrounds. New locations this year are Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and the new I-394 and County Road 73 park-and-ride ramp in Minnetonka. Cost is only $5 round-trip. See details about State Fair express service.

Customers can use a handy new interactive web tool — which works like the online Trip Planner — when planning their State Fair trips. Metro Transit created the State Fair park-and-ride finder, which automatically finds the five parking options nearest a fairgoer’s location. The tool also will provide maps of the parking area and information on frequency of service.

Park free, ride free

Another popular option for getting to the State Fair is service from nearly 35 parking lots near the fairgrounds. This year, parking at University of Minnesota will be limited because of stadium construction. See details about free park and ride services.

Regular bus routes

Three regular bus routes serve the State Fair directly. Those who work or live in downtown Minneapolis can take Route 960 for quick service from Nicollet Mall to the fairgrounds. In addition, Route 3, which travels on Como Avenue, and Route 84, which travels on Snelling Avenue, provide convenient options for fairgoers.

Hop On Transit Day — Wednesday, Aug. 29

Fair-goers who use transit to attend the fair on Wednesday, Aug. 29 (Hop On Transit Day), receive special discounts. A round-trip ride on a State Fair Express bus costs $3. Plus, everyone who pays bus fare on a regular route or State Fair Express bus get a coupon for $2 off a regular-priced fair admission ticket purchased at the gate. (This discount is offered only on Aug. 29, and does not apply to visitors who use the fair’s free park and ride system or those who use pre-fair discount admission tickets.)

At Carousel Park near the Grandstand, Metro Transit will host a variety of activities for the entire family. Fairgoers can take the “Go Greener Challenge” and work to lighten their impact on the environment. Commuters can go greener and pledge to take the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk at least one time by Sept. 30. Those who pledge will be entered in a prize drawing.