Metro Transit proposes early January end to Northstar Commuter Rail

Metro Transit plans to terminate the Northstar Commuter Rail service between Big Lake and Minneapolis in early January due to ongoing low ridership and increasing operational expenses. The last Northstar train is scheduled for January 3 or 4, aligning with the final Vikings game of the season. Subsequently, bus services will replace the rail line starting January 8. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle acknowledged the sadness of the situation, stressing the importance of judicious public spending amid these challenges. The Northstar has struggled with ridership for years, averaging only 430 rides per weekday as of 2024.

The service's operational costs have also escalated, with taxpayer subsidies rising from $16 per ride in 2017 to a staggering $116 in 2023, marking the second-highest subsidy among U. S. commuter rails. Republican lawmakers have criticized the Northstar, with some advocating for its funding elimination. Metro Transit plans to introduce new bus routes to better serve the area, with Route 888 and Route 827 starting in 2026.