Passengers who catch the final Northstar Commuter trip from Big Lake to Minneapolis will be taking buses instead of the train.
Express bus service from stations in Elk River, Anoka, Ramsey, Coon Rapids and Fridley will substitue for the train. Buses will go directly from each station to downtown Minneapolis, said Metro Transit spokesman John Siqveland.
Northstar Link buses will take riders from Big Lake to Elk River where passengers will catch express buses to Minneapolis.
The reason for the change in service is that the first inbound train was delayed by 30 minutes. That train normally circles back and makes a second run to downtown Minneapolis. But it's late arrival in Minneapolis and another delay heading back to Big Lake prompted Metro Transit to roll out the buses.
"We didn't want our customers delayed that long," Siqveland said.
Blue Line trains also are not running between the 28th Avenue Station to the Mall of America. Snow build up has made the track impassable, Siqveland said. Buses are filling in there. Trains are running as usual elsewhere on the line.
