State Fair Bus Service from Maple Grove ‘A Big Success’
“A big success.”
That’s how transit officials describe the return of Minnesota State Fair bus service to and from the Maple Grove Transit Station.
“Hundreds of people were in line well before the first bus was scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m.,” said Maple Grove Transit Administrator Mike Opatz about last Saturday.
It’s the first time since 2019 that express bus service from the northwest suburb has been offered. A shortage of drivers after COVID had forced Metro Transit to reduce service.
Back in 2019, the Maple Grove site provided almost 30,000 rides to the fair, Opatz said.
Last weekend more than 9,000 rides were given. Opatz said the line for the first bus on Saturday stretched from the east end of the station to the west end of the parking ramp.
Express buses to the fairgrounds from the Maple Grove Transit Station will run every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to midnight this Saturday and Sunday. On Labor Day buses will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The cost per round trip is $6 paid with cash. The cost is $5 if you buy tickets online beforehand. You can learn more details here.
