SouthWest Transit is branching out to the northern suburbs.

Starting Monday, the agency will operate three morning trips from stations in Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie to Target's north campus off of Hwy. 610 in Brooklyn Park. The agency also will operate three afternoon trips from Brooklyn Park back to the southwestern suburbs.

"SouthWest Transit has heard from more than 50 of our current riders that this service be added," said CEO Len Simich.

Surveys conducted last fall by SouthWest and Target found that more than 143 of 200 people who responded said they were current SouthWest riders, showing a need for the new route.

"SouthWest Transit is listening to our riders," Simich said. "We are dong what we've always done, providing the best possible transit service for the residents of the cities we serve."

The new Route 687 will depart East Creek Station at 6:38 a.m., 7:07 a.m. and 7:38 a.m. Trips to Brooklyn Park will take about 40 minutes. They include stops at the SouthWest Station and SouthWest Village Station.

Afternoon trips will depart Target at 4:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.

The new service comes after SouthWest added service this fall to Normandale Community College, Southdale Center and the Best Buy campus in Richfield.

It's primary service is offering motor coach bus service to downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota.