Metro Transit is asking stakeholders to weigh in on plans for the metro area's third Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line,which will run between Brooklyn Center, north Minneapolis and downtown Minneapolis.
Called the C-Line, the route will largely follow the current Route 19 via Olson Highway and Penn Avenue. With full funding, construction would begin in 2017. Service would begin in late 2017 or early 2018.
This week, Metro Transit will hold four open houses to allow for feedback on the plan, which calls for 24 stations.
BRT lines operate similarly to light rail in that buses stop only a platforms along the route, and not every corner like traditional local buses. That provides for faster trips. Like on trains, riders tag Go To cards or pay fares before boarding, which limits the amount of time the bus is stopped.
Metro Transit estimates that BRT service will reduce travel time by about 25 percent.
Feedback gathered from open houses will be used to complete the final design of the project estimated to cost between $30 million and $35 million. That includes the cost of stations and related technology/fare collection elements, new BRT vehicles, transit signal priority and the cost of designing and delivering the line.
Here is where open houses will be held this week in Minneapolis:
- Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall: 11 am - 1 p.m. Tuesday
- Patrick Henry High School, 4320 Newton Avenue N.: 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday
- Harrison Education Center, 501 Irving Avenue N.: 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday
- Lucy Laney Community School, 3333 Penn Avenue N.: 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday
