Evening, weekend service added to bus route 721 in northwest metro

Contact:
Bonnie Kollodge
651-602-1357

ST. PAUL – March 6, 2008 – Beginning March 8, evening and weekend service will be added to bus route 721 in the northwest metro, creating more access for job seekers, residents who work evenings and weekends and students attending Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park.

The additional service will be offered between Brooklyn Center Transit Center and Hennepin Technical College. Funding for the service enhancements comes from a federal Job Access and Reverse Commute grant, which supports transportation services that improve access to employment opportunities for lower-income individuals.

The enhancements on Route 721, which is operated by the Metropolitan Council, are part of a demonstration project, lasting at least through September 2009.

When preparing for the Route 721 changes, planners at Metro Transit identified nearly 8,000 entry-level jobs in the route’s service area, including at Brookdale Mall and nearby businesses, Crystal Center and the Northland Business Park.

As part of the added weekday evening service, buses will leave Brooklyn Center Transit Center at 6:31 p.m., 7:33 p.m. and 8:33 p.m. Travel time to Hennepin Technical College is approximately 20 minutes. Return service from the college will leave at 7:04 p.m., 8:04 p.m. and 9:06 p.m. Customers also can transfer to several routes at Brooklyn Center Transit Center.

On weekends, Route 721 will offer 11 northbound and 11 southbound trips between Brooklyn Center Transit Center and Hennepin Technical College. Buses will provide hourly service between 7:30 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. each day.

The cash fare for Route 721 is $2 during weekday rush hours and $1.50 at all other times.

For trip planning services, customers can talk with a transit expert at the Transit Information Center at 612-373-3333 or use the online trip planner at www.metrotransit.org.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

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