Metro Transit is gearing up for the grand opening of the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on March 22, 2025. This milestone event will mark the region’s sixth BRT line, providing fast, frequent service between downtown St. Paul and Woodbury. The Gold Line will bring better connectivity across the East Metro and is expected to have a significant impact on the region’s transportation landscape.
The day’s festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and media event at the Woodlane Park & Ride station. Shortly after, ceremonial first rides will depart at 10:45 a.m., offering attendees an exclusive look at the new service in action.
Community Celebration at Woodlane Park & Ride
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Metro Transit will host a community celebration at the Woodlane Park & Ride (1108 Woodlane Drive) to mark the launch. The event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment, ensuring fun for all ages. Highlights include:
- Free commemorative posters (available while supplies last)
- A kids’ art table and photo station
- An appearance from Metro Transit’s mascot, Skip Traffic, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Community outreach booths to engage with local organizations
- Delicious cookies from Cookie Cart and hot cider
- Food trucks offering tasty treats for everyone to enjoy
Sun Ray Station Celebration
A second community celebration will take place at the Sun Ray Station Park & Ride, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event promises a similar lineup of fun activities, food, and entertainment for all attendees to enjoy.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Extension
While the 2025 launch of the Gold Line is certainly exciting, the future of the line looks even brighter. In 2027, the Gold Line will be extended to downtown Minneapolis, connecting key destinations across the metro and improving travel efficiency for commuters. This extension will include new stations at Interstate 94 and Snelling Avenue, where passengers can transfer to the METRO A Line and METRO B Line. In Minneapolis, the Gold Line will serve existing bus rapid transit stations on 7th and 8th Streets and extend as far as the METRO Green Line Extension’s Royalston Avenue/Farmers Market Station.
“The extension will create a true crosstown route, making travel between the East Metro and downtown Minneapolis more seamless and efficient,” said General Manager Lesley Kandaras.
Gold Line Service Enhancements
When the full Gold Line Extension is in service, it will replace Route 94, the express route currently operating between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, which serves about 800 riders each weekday. The new service will provide a one-seat ride with buses running every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.
Metro Transit’s Network Now service improvement plan, which will be implemented prior to 2027, includes adding midday service to Route 94 and enhancing community connections to the Gold Line through new and redesigned routes. Metro Micro, a planned shared ride service in Woodbury, will also improve access to the Gold Line.
Future of the METRO Network
The Gold Line is just one piece of the growing METRO network. With the opening of the METRO B Line in June 2025 and the METRO E Line in December 2025, the region’s transportation system will continue to expand, making it easier for residents to access fast and frequent service. By the time the METRO network is complete, there will be 12 bus rapid transit lines across the Twin Cities region, along with extensions to the METRO Green Line and METRO Blue Line.
“Each new service strengthens the METRO system and makes transit an even more attractive and useful option for people across the region,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle.
As Metro Transit continues to build and improve its service offerings, the Gold Line will play a key role in transforming regional mobility and making travel across the metro area faster, easier, and more convenient for all.
WHO IS GOING TO BE PATROLING THIS ETNA STATION? WHO WILL BE PICKING UP THE TRASH AND GARBAGE FROM THE “PARKING LOT”? THERE NEEDS TO BE A SPEED BUMP OR SPEED LIMIT SIGNS OUT THERE! CAN PEOPLE JUST PARK THERE ANY TIME FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME?
WHO IS GOING TO STOP THE BUMS FROM SLEEPING ON THE BENCHES AND JUST HANGING OUT ALL NIGHT? WHAT IS THE METRO POLICE NUMBER? CAN PEOPLE JUST HANG OUT THERE 24/7 WITH NO REASON?
WHAT ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY? ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BUS HEADLIGHTS THAT SHINE DIRECTLY INTO MY DING AND LIVING ROOM WINDOWS AS THE COME OVER THE BRIDGE?
THESE ISSUES NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BEFORE THEY GET WORSE!!!