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Regional administrator announces Northstar rail replacement with bus service starting Jan. 4, 2026

Metropolitan Council · December 18, 2025

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Summary

The regional administrator said Northstar rail service will be replaced by bus service beginning Jan. 4, 2026, with three routes (827, 888 and 882) providing weekday and weekend trips; Route 882 will operate as a two-year pilot in partnership with MnDOT.

At the council’s final meeting of 2025 the regional administrator outlined a service change for the Northstar corridor: rail service will be replaced by bus service beginning Jan. 4, 2026.

The regional administrator said rail trips currently operating for special events and weekdays will be replaced by roughly 400 weekly bus trips, noting the corridor’s travel options will change significantly. Route 827 will operate between Fridley and downtown with 30-minute weekday rush-hour frequencies and hourly midday service; Route 888 will serve Ramsey, Anoka, Elk River and downtown with 30-minute AM rush trips and similar PM rush service; Route 882 is described as a two-year pilot operated under agreement with MnDOT that serves Big Lake, Elk River and downtown Minneapolis with limited southbound and northbound trips and is designed to mirror traditional Northstar service outside the seven-county region.

The regional administrator said the changes reflect a contracted service model and noted staff appreciation for community feedback during planning. No council vote was required — the announcement was informational.