Metro Transit
Gold Line Coming Soon Metro Transit Bus
WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The Metro Gold Line from Woodbury to St.Paul will be ready to roll on Saturday, March 22.
The Gold Line will serve parts of Woodbury, Oakdale, Landfall, Maplewood and St.Paul. End-to-end the Gold Line operates between Woodlane Drive Station in Woodbury and Smith and 5th street station in downtown St. Paul.
The Gold Line is the first project in the state in Minnesota operating primarily within a dedicated “ guideway”.
A guideway is a road for Gold Line buses only. Seventy percent of its 10-mile route will travel on dedicated bus lanes.
The guideway, denoted by red paint, will not be allowed to be used by motorists. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be allowed to use the sidewalk and shared trails along the route.
Liz Jones, Community Outreach and Engagement Lead, said that, “Currently 12 diesel buses will be in operation, at 10 minute intervals during peak hours and 15 minute intervals otherwise.” Buses will run daily from 5 am -12 midnight.
The Gold Line will connect the east metro to the regional METRO network and connect people across the region to job centers, housing options, other transit lines, and key destinations in the I-94 corridor.
Three new Park and Ride facilities were built at Sun Ray Park and Ride, Woodlane Drive Park and Ride, and Helmo Avenue. At the Queens Station and Woodbury Theatre Park and Ride, 150 spaces were added to the existing surface lot.
All buses have wider aisles, equipment that allows people in mobility devices to self-secure, all -door boarding and USB chargers. Five electric buses will be added to the fleet in August.
The bus shelters have been thoughtfully designed. They are easily accessible by people in mobility vehicles. There are benches to sit on through the shelter. The shelters are covered on all sides to protect people from the elements. Heat lamps can be turned on for warmth with a single button saying Push to Heat.
Ticket booths near the bus shelters for pre-boarding fare payment will mean less waiting time at stops.
Security cameras have been installed in all the shelters and on the buses. The cameras are monitored by local police stations. There is a box with a big red button to push in case of an emergency. This unmanned call booth makes calls directly to a police station, explained Joseph Dotseth, Interim Chief of Police for Metro Transit. “We have done a lot of planning with local partners. There has been a community approach as our outreach staff has talked to local folks. We have a safety action plan in place,” Dotseth added.
According to city staff, Woodbury Public Safety is working with Metro Transit Police and other local partners to ensure that the Gold Line is safe for riders, local businesses and the community.
Woodbury has two upcoming commercial recreation projects: Top Golf and Main Event bowling, very close to the Gold Line’s Tamarack station in Bielenberg Drive. This is a good example of transit supportive commercial development.
Construction for the project began in 2022.
Adam Harrington, Metro Transit’s Director of Service Development made a special mention of Light Rail Type signals for the Gold Line Bus in its dedicated lane. Buses will still stop at red lights, but buses can “ask” traffic signals for early or extended green lights.
Upon opening, METRO Gold Line will operate on a long-term detour due to the Kellogg/3rd Street bridge project. Union Depot & Sibley/Wacouta Station will be closed during the long-term detour.
Gold Line will have the same fares as METRO light rail and local buses. There is no extra charge for the service. Seniors, youth, Medicare card holders and people with disabilities qualify for reduced fares during non-rush hours.
Free Gold Line rides!
Experience the new Gold Line for free! Gold Line rides will be free from Saturday, March 22 through Friday, March 28, courtesy of Ramsey and Washington counties.
Metro Transit staff will be riding Gold Line buses to answer your questions about the new service, schedule, and fare payment. Join us!
10 a.m. | Ribbon cutting & media event at Woodlane Park & Ride
10:45 a.m. | Ceremonial first rides leave Woodlane Park & Ride
Grand Opening Celebrations will be held on Saturday, March 22, at two locations:
Woodlane Park and Ride Woodbury (1100 Woodlane Drive, Woodbury MN 55125)
Sunray park and Ride (362 Pedersen Street, St. Paul, MN 55119)
Community Celebrations At both locations from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Family activities & entertainment
Free commemorative poster (while supplies last)
Kids art table
Meet Metro Transit mascot Skip Traffic! Expected appearance from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Community outreach booths
Cookies from Cookie Cart and hot chocolate
Food trucks