Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 18, 2008
METRO TRANSIT ANNOUNCES ST. PAUL BUS ROUTING DURING REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – (Aug. 14) –Metro Transit today announced bus routings needed to avoid the security perimeter around Xcel Energy Center during the Republican National Convention.
“Traffic limitations will alter our bus routes in downtown St. Paul, but we are committed to keeping disruptions to our customers to a minimum,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “Transit will remain an important option for those commuting to downtown St. Paul during the event.”
Metro Transit will place at least 25 extra buses in service to accommodate increased demand to keep its service as punctual as possible. The transit agency also will have extra staff on hand to direct customers and will have supervisors at the convention’s transportation command center to monitor activities and adjust service if necessary.
Metro Transit will make use of its satellite bus-tracking system to monitor system performance on a real-time basis and deploy the extra buses to fill service gaps as they develop.
Detours will affect buses operated by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and Metropolitan Council regional providers. They will take effect after the afternoon rush hour (6 p.m.) on Friday, Aug. 29, and continue through the end of service on Friday, Sept. 5.
Route-by-route detour information, including a map, is available at metrotransit.org/rnc, and signs at affected bus stops will direct transit customers to alternate boarding locations. Customers with questions about detours also can speak to transit representatives at 612-373-3333.
Here’s an overview of St. Paul bus operations from Aug. 29 through Sept. 5.
Buses that normally pick up customers on 6th Street (buses headed to the west and to I-35E) will continue to do so. The last pick-up stop will be at Robert Street.
Buses that normally pick up on 5th Street (buses headed to the east and to Hwy. 61) will continue to do so, with the first local route pick-up at Minnesota Street. For express buses, the first stop will be on 5th at Robert Street.
Routes bound for the north and south will travel normally on Minnesota and Robert Street.
Routes 3, 62 and 262
Customers should board buses on Minnesota between 6th and 10th streets.Routes 16, 50 and 94
Buses will not travel past the State Capitol. Customers should board buses on University at Rice Street.Routes 67 and 75
Buses will travel on Robert Street, not Wabasha, in both directions between Plato and 10th Street.
Buses will not make stops to pick up or discharge customers during the detour portions of their routes.
Metro Transit is a service of Metropolitan Council. Customers rode Metro Transit buses and trains 77 million times last year, the highest annual ridership in 25 years.
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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)
