Federal funding for the popular Forest Lake to Minneapolis commuter buses ends Tuesday, the earliest day the new Interstate 35W bridge could open, but bus service will continue through September and possibly longer.
Washington, Chisago and Anoka counties are working with the Metropolitan Council to figure out a long-term solution for Route 288, said Dennis Hegberg, who chairs the Washington County Commission. Buses started running in January and ridership has grown to the point that two of them are standing-room-only.
"It shows that if you provide a good, reliable service, people will use it," Hegberg said.
Fares will rise to $4.75 one way from the current fare of $2.75 to help offset costs and keep the buses running, Hegberg said.
That higher fare is comparable to a similar route, 888, that runs from Elk River to Minneapolis, said Arlene McCarthy, the Met Council's director of metropolitan transportation services.
That route, which currently costs $4.50 one way, will increase to $4.75 on Oct. 1, she said.
Bus service from Forest Lake, which started in January after the federal government surprised east-metro counties with a $5 million windfall, gained ridership through the spring. In February the service averaged 300 commuters a day with a daily high of 350. In May, the service averaged 433 commuters a day with a high of 506. The six inbound and five outbound daily buses carried about 8,700 passengers in July and 54,345 in the first six months of use, according to Met Council figures.
The route was expected to last through December, but funds were available only as long as construction on the I-35W bridge continued. It was finished more than two months ahead of schedule.