Starting Saturday, the E-Line will replace Route 6 promising a faster ride
Metro Transit spokesperson Drew Kerr says that means there will be less stops.
"There is signal technology that allows busses to either request a green light," say Kerr, " or to get it to hold a little bit longer to get through the intersection."
He says they have added a 15 percent increase in service this year.
The line will run from the Southdale Transit Center and head north along France Avenue, over to Uptown and then downtown Minneapolis, into Northeast and the University of Minnesota, and finally on to the Green Line's Westgate Station near Hwy. 280.
The creation of the METRO E Line is a cornerstone of Metro Transit's Network Now initiative, a strategic plan guiding the expansion of Bus Rapid Transit across the Twin Cities' busiest corridors through 2027.
The project, which represents a regional investment in reliable public transit, received full funding from the state of Minnesota in 2021, totaling approximately $60 million.
This shift to arterial BRT emphasizes upgrading service on high-demand routes with specialized, low-floor articulated buses and train-like stations featuring amenities such as all-door boarding, on-demand heat, and real-time NexTrip screens.
The E Line incorporates modern operational tools like Transit Signal Priority, which allows buses to influence traffic lights, and designated bus-only lanes in key locations to ensure better speed and on-time performance.
This move to rapid transit is designed to offer a faster, more comfortable experience and is projected to expand frequent, all-day service across the metropolitan area.