Maple Grove Transit Center to Offer Weekend State Fair Bus Service
The Minnesota State Fair kicks off this week, and for the first time since 2019, local fairgoers will have a public transit option in the northwest metro.
“The positive feedback we received already, I think that the public is really going to welcome it,” said Mike Opatz, Maple Grove’s transit administrator. “And we’re just pleased that all the resources and everything else were able to line up that we can actually offer this; because it is a very popular option.”
The Maple Grove Transit Center will offer express bus service to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on weekends and Labor Day.
Service starts at 8 a.m. and runs every 30 minutes. The last bus leaves the fairgrounds at midnight.
People can buy tickets for the State Fair Express Bus at these kiosks, located at the Maple Grove Transit Center (12350 Main Street).
A driver shortage prevented Maple Grove from offering Minnesota State Fair bus service for the last five years. But, Metro Transit was able to grow its labor force to the point that it can offer this route once again.
Still, it’s important to note, those buses will not run from Maple Grove during the week.
“We’ve already got a few questions, why not weekday service? But we have to explain that this facility is, first and foremost, designed for our weekday express bus service to Minneapolis,” said Opatz. “And that’s being utilized like I said, not only the parking spaces here but the drivers and the buses as well.”
The cost to ride the State Fair express bus is only $5 if you buy online or at one of the transit center kiosks.
Transit officials recommend arriving early, because they expect the parking garage to fill up.
Each bus holds 75 people, and the transit center parking garage can hold 924 cars. So the advice from Opatz is to arrive early.
Related: After COVID Slowdown, Fewer State Fair Bus Options for Northwest Metro Riders
