Red Rock Corridor Commission Toured METRO Red Line

Red Rock Corridor Commission Toured METRO Red Line

Red Rock Corridor Commission, TAC, B-CAC, and interested community members were invited to a tour of the METRO Red Line on September 21, 2015. The METRO Red Line is a bus rapid transit route running along Cedar Avenue between the Mall of America and the City of Apple Valley. Red Line service began in 2013 and is planned to extend to Lakeville in the future.

The Red Line is currently the only operational bus rapid transit route in the Twin Cities Metro Area. The Red Rock Corridor Commission requested the tour for members and community partners to be able to experience bus rapid transit and how it differs from other transit modes.

Participants were able to experience how the line operates and talked with city and county staff about the route. Kristine Elwood, Transit Manager with Dakota County, provided an overview of the planning process and current operations. The tour stopped at the Cedar Grove Transit Station and participants heard from a consultant with Kimley Horn regarding plans to improve travel time along the route. The tour concluded with a discussion with Bruce Nordquist from City of Apple Valley regarding the work the city has done to support the transit investment.

Participants stated the tour was a great way to experience bus rapid transit and to hear from both Dakota County and the City of Apple Valley on the planning and implementation process.