MLK Day transit tips and notes

Monday is Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday declared by U.S. Government to honor the accomplishments of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For many that means a day off of work or school, but for those not fortunate enough to get the holiday off, here are a few commuting tips:

On the Roads

With most city, county and state government offices closed for the holiday, we can expect much lighter than normal traffic on the roads. WIth the frigid temperatures expected, your car might not want to start. Now's the time to find your AAA card in case you need a jump.

 On the Bus

Metro Transit buses and light rail and Northstar Commuter trains will be operating on their normal weekday schedules, meaning  routes will be at full service.  No campus express buses will operate on the University of Minnesota campus.

Southwest Transit officials say their express buses to downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota and Southdale, as well as service between Chanhassen, Chaska, and Eden Prairie.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has revisions to a few routes. The following trips will not run on MLK Day or have revised schedules:
Route 460: Northbound trips departing the Burnsville Station at 6:55, 7:09, 7:21, 7:31 and 7:53 a.m. will not operate. Southbound trips departing the Gateway Ramp in Minneapolis: The 3:42 p.m. trip will leave at 3:45 p.m., the 3:55 p.m. trip will leave at 3:53 p.m., and the 4:11 p.m. trip will depart at 4:08 p.m.

Route 465: Northbound trips departing the Burnsville Station at 6:45, 8:45 and 9:15 a.m. will not operate. Southbound trips departing from Ridder Arena at the U of M at 3:45, 5:45 and 6:15 p.m. will not operate.

Route 477: Northbound trip departing the Lakeville/Cedar Station will move from 6:53 a.m. to 6:57 a.m., stopping at the Apple Valley Station at 7:08 a.m.  The southbound trip departing the Gateway Ramp in Minneapolis at 4:12 p.m. will be eliminated. The trip leaving at 4:17 p.m. will serve the Lakeville/Cedar Station. There will be no trip at 4:58 p.m.

Parking meters

Parking meters in Minneapolis and St. Paul are free, so if you have to work and there is a meter near the office, grab it. It will save you the walk in the sub-zero cold.  Meters at the University of Minnesota also are free.

Meters operated by the Minneapolis Recreation Board on Minnehaha Pkwy., Minnehaha Avenue, East River Road, West River Road, Dean Pkwy. and Main Street will be enforced. Rates are 75 cents to $1.50 per hour.

How do you know if it's a University of Minnesota, city of Minneapolis or Park and Recreation Board meter? U of M meters have only three numbers and no letters to identify parking spots. City of Minneapolis meters have  at least four numbers and sometimes letters.   Park and Recreation meters are generally green.

Road closings

There are lots of MLK Day events around town. Look for some extra traffic around the Minneapolis Convention Center where Nontombi Naomi Tuto, a human rights activist and daughter of South African Archbishop Emeritus Desomnd Tutu will speak during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast.  That begins at 7 a.m.  There also is a holiday diversity fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In St. Paul, look for Marshall Avenue to closed as participants march from Central High School to neighboring Concordia College for a program featuring keynote speaker Bishop Willaim Watson III. The march is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.