METRO E Line opening bookends transformative year for transit in the Twin Cities

E Line is third of three bus rapid transit lines opening in 2025, eighth overall

The region's eighth bus rapid transit line, the METRO E Line, opened Saturday, Dec. 6, bookending a transformative year for transit in the Twin Cities.

Like other bus rapid transit lines, the E Line features frequent and reliable service, enhanced stations with heated and lighted shelters, and a fleet of spacious 60-foot buses that allow for all-door boarding. The E Line serves a 13-mile corridor home to 117,000 people and major destinations like the University of Minnesota, downtown Minneapolis, Uptown and the Southdale area in Edina. Nearly two out of ten households along the corridor does not have access to a vehicle.

"The E Line isn't just a bus route-it's a lifeline for thousands of people along this corridor without access to a vehicle," said Metropolitan Council Chair Robin Hutcheson. "When we invest in transit infrastructure that serves one of our highest-ridership corridors, we're investing in economic mobility and equity for the entire region."

The E Line is the third of three bus rapid transit lines to open this year. Serving the Interstate 94 corridor east of St. Paul, the METRO Gold Line opened in March. The METRO B Line on Lake Street, Marshall Avenue and Selby Avenue opened in June.

With this year's expansion of the METRO network, nearly 500,000 people (16% of the total regional population) and more than 500,000 jobs (29% of all jobs in the region) are within a half-mile of a METRO station. Around 38% of the region's car-free households are within a half-mile of a METRO station.

"The continued growth of our METRO system means more people have more access to frequent, convenient service than ever before," Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. "Each improvement makes our entire system stronger, more connected, and more useful to people all across our region."

The E Line will operate from 4:30 a.m.to 1 a.m. daily, with trips every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day. This is a 30% increase in service compared to what's currently offered on Route 6, which the E Line replaces.

With fewer stops, all-door boarding, transit signal priority, and more than three miles of bus lanes, the E Line is also expected to be up to 20% faster on average than the route it replaces, Route 6.

As part of the $64 million project, Metro Transit, Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis partnered to deliver more than $11 million in multimodal, accessibility, and safety improvements like accessible pedestrian ramps and new traffic signals.

"The new E Line bus rapid transit service has it all, from the University of Minnesota to downtown and First Avenue, to Uptown and the lakes, Linden Hills, and ultimately Edina and Southdale," Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene said. "I am proud that Hennepin County is playing a key role in enhancing this service for our residents and businesses. The Route 6 has been a workhorse of the system for decades, and the E Line builds on that to solidify our interconnected multimodal transportation network and reliable, affordable and environmentally sound transportation options."

"The E Line connects Dinkytown, Downtown, and Uptown with one-seat, faster service," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "Whether you're a University of Minnesota student headed to an internship in the Central Business District or a Linden Hills family on your way to a Gopher hockey game, the E Line will knit together some of the city's best entertainment destinations, shopping districts, and job-rich areas with better transit access. Thanks to City staff, Hennepin County, and Metro Transit for making it happen."

"The arterial bus rapid transit system has proven to be a great success in moving people throughout the Twin Cities," Edina Mayor James Hovland said. "The E Line, which will run through Edina, right down France Avenue and serve both our commercial districts at 50th & France and Southdale/Galleria, is the eighth line of its type to be opened and the Met Council expects it to perform very well. Using what is called the ABRT system is a fast, efficient and economical way to transport people and should prove to be very beneficial for transporting workers, shoppers, students and tourists alike. We look forward to having it available to serve our residents and many businesses in Edina."

Service changes complement, expand on E Line

The E Line's opening bookends a big year for transit improvements. Overall, Metro Transit is providing 15% more service than was offered at this time last year as the agency continues to grow its workforce and advance the Network Now framework informed by rider and community feedback.

Service improvements will continue in the coming years. This includes the 2027 opening of the METRO Green Line Extension and the addition of several other bus rapid transit lines now in the planning and design phases.

In the next five years, 40% of the region's jobs and 23% of the regional population will be within a 10-minute walk or roll of a METRO station.

Media contact: Laura Baenen: [email protected], 612-269-4365