Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2007
METRO TRANSIT ANNOUNCES
FREE EXPRESS SERVICE
FROM
SELECT PARK-AND-RIDE LOTS
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Aug. 3) Metro Transit said today that express bus service to downtown Minneapolis from 12 select park-and-ride lots will be free next week (Aug. 6 through Aug. 10) to help commuters deal with congestion from the I-35W bridge collapse.
The 12 park-and-ride lots were selected because Metro Transit has parking capacity at those locations. Extra buses will be deployed to some of the lots to deal with anticipated demand.
We hope more commuters will consider using transit or carpooling rather than driving alone, escaping the stress of driving in heavy traffic and easing congestion for everyone, said Brian Lamb, Metro Transit general manager. Metro Transit is working on more transportation options for north metro commuters. We will have information on those expanded plans in the days ahead.
Return service on express buses to the 12 sites also is free next week.
Here is a list of the parking locations and routes from them that will be free next week.
Blaine
Northtown Shopping Center 85th/Jefferson Routes 852, 854
Brooklyn Center
Regal Cinemas Hwy. 252/I-94 Route 766
Brooklyn Blvd./65th Ave. N.Route 760
Brooklyn Park
63rd Ave./County Rd. 81 (Bottineau Blvd) Route 767
Hwy. 252/73rd Ave. Route 766
Hwy. 610/Noble Ave. Route 766
Coon Rapids
Foley Blvd./Hwy. 610 Routes 850, 852
Maplewood
Maplewood Mall Beam/Southlawn Routes 270, 272
Hmong Alliance Church, near County Rd. C/Hwy. 61 Routes 270, 272
Moundsview
County Rd. H/I-35W Route 250
Oakdale
Guardian Angels Church Inwood Ave. (Radio Dr.)/4th St. Routes 375, 353
Roseville
Grace Church Roseville at Hamline Ave./County Rd. B2 Routes 260, 261
Additional information and an automated trip planner are available on the Metro Transit website at www.metrotransit.org. Transit information specialists are standing by at 612-373-3333 between 6:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Also at metrotransit.org, commuters can sign up for free ridematching. The interactive system helps people form carpools by linking them with others who have similar commuting paths. Online ridematching can be found on the Rideshare page.
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(Editors: For information call Bob Gibbons, director of customer services, 612-349-7509 or via e-mail at robert.gibbons@metc.state.mn.us)
