Sherburne County signs agreement for pilot commuter express bus to replace NorthStar rail
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The county approved a two‑year pilot agreement with MnDOT and Metro Transit to operate Route 882 express bus service beginning Jan. 5, 2026, providing three morning trips from Big Lake and Elk River into downtown Minneapolis and return trips in the afternoon.
Sherburne County commissioners approved a pilot commuter bus agreement with MnDOT and Metro Transit on Tuesday to replace NorthStar commuter rail service that will end Jan. 4, 2026.
County staff said the pilot (Route 882) runs through Dec. 31, 2027, with three morning trips stopping in Big Lake and Elk River and multiple downtown Minneapolis stops; three afternoon return trips will provide commuter service back to Sherburne County. The service is operated by Metro Transit through the Metropolitan Council and reimbursed via an agreement with MnDOT’s transit office.
The pilot was described as flexible: if demand requires, the county and partners can request additional trips. Staff noted marketing would begin in the weeks before the Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 start date. The board approved the agreement, with one commissioner recorded as opposing; staff said they would work on outreach and provide schedules and tri‑folds to the public.
What happens next: Marketing and schedules will be posted publicly; MnDOT and Metro Transit will finalize trip times and stops and the county will monitor ridership through the pilot period to assess whether additional service is needed.