METRO D Line
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| METRO D Line | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | D Line |
| System | Metro Transit |
| Locale | Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County |
| Type | Bus Rapid Transit |
| Status | Operating |
| Start | Plymouth Avenue |
| End | Mall of America |
| Stations | 50 |
| Open | 2023 |
| Owner | Metro Transit (Minnesota) |
| Operator | Metro Transit (Minnesota) |
| Length km | 29 |
| Map state | collapsed |
METRO D Line
The METRO D Line is a high-frequency bus rapid transit corridor in the Twin Cities region, operated by Metro Transit (Minnesota) as part of the METRO network that includes METRO A Line, METRO B Line, METRO C Line, and future corridors. Designed to accelerate travel across Minneapolis and Saint Paul and connect major activity centers like Uptown, Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis, Nicollet Mall, University of Minnesota, and Mall of America, the project ties into regional planning initiatives led by Metropolitan Council and local transit agencies. The corridor serves dense employment, retail, and institutional nodes including Target Corporation headquarters, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, and Minnehaha Park.
Overview
The D Line is a branded arterial rapid bus route within the integrated METRO system alongside METRO Blue Line, METRO Green Line, and light rail projects overseen by Metropolitan Council. Funded through a combination of Federal Transit Administration grants, state appropriations from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local contributions from Hennepin County, the corridor implements bus rapid transit strategies such as all-door boarding, off-board payment, enhanced stations, signal priority with Minneapolis Department of Public Works coordination, and limited curbside amenities. The corridor was planned in alignment with long-range transportation plans by Metro Transit (Minnesota), regional land use strategies promoted by Metropolitan Council, and climate goals set by City of Minneapolis and City of Saint Paul.
Route and Stations
The D Line runs primarily along the east–west arterial spine connecting neighborhoods, employment centers, and shopping districts. Major nodes include Minneapolis City Hall, Hennepin County Government Center, Target Field, North Loop (Minneapolis), Nicollet Mall, U.S. Bank Stadium, the University of Minnesota, Minnehaha Avenue, and the Mall of America. Stations feature enhanced shelters designed by regional architects in consultation with Minnesota Historical Society and accessibility reviews by Minnesota Board on Aging. The corridor interfaces with multimodal hubs at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Target Field station, and Mall of America station, providing transfers to METRO Blue Line, METRO Green Line, commuter rail initiatives advocated by Northstar (rail service), and municipal bike-share programs like Nice Ride Minnesota.
History and Development
Planning traces to corridor studies by Metro Transit (Minnesota) and environmental assessments conducted under Minnesota Environmental Policy Act. Early public engagement included stakeholders such as Hennepin County, Ramsey County, neighborhood organizations like Longfellow Community Council and business groups including Downtown Minneapolis Economic Development Association. Federal support arrived via Federal Transit Administration Capital Investment Grants, complemented by state approval from the Minnesota Legislature. Design phases incorporated lessons from predecessors including the METRO A Line and METRO C Line, and drew comparisons to national BRT systems like Cleveland HealthLine and Los Angeles Silver Line for station design and operations.
Operations and Service
Service operates with headways designed to provide 10–15 minute peak frequencies and all-day rapid service aligned with schedules coordinated by Metro Transit (Minnesota) dispatching and the Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic signal operations center. Operations integrate real-time vehicle tracking compatible with Transit App, Google Maps (service), and regional trip planning by Metro Transit (Minnesota). Fare enforcement uses proof-of-payment consistent with system-wide policies shaped by Metropolitan Council fare studies. Labor agreements for operating staff were negotiated with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005 in accordance with regional transit labor practices.
Rolling Stock and Infrastructure
The D Line employs articulated and 40-foot buses equipped with low-floor boarding, bicycle racks, enhanced HVAC, and next-stop announcements created with input from Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. Vehicles feature branding consistent with METRO livery standards set by Metro Transit (Minnesota) and procurement followed state purchasing rules managed by the Minnesota Department of Administration. Station amenities include raised platforms, real-time arrival displays, sheltered seating, and landscaping coordinated with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Saint Paul Public Works.
Ridership and Performance
Ridership projections were modeled by consultants such as Nelson\Nygaard and internal planning teams at Metro Transit (Minnesota)], using regional data from the U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey. Early-service monitoring reports prepared by Metro Transit (Minnesota) and evaluated by Metropolitan Council assess metrics including passenger throughput, on-time performance, and average travel times compared to predecessor local routes. Initial performance indicated increased boardings and reduced travel times along congested corridors, with equity analyses referencing demographic data from Hennepin County and Ramsey County.
Future Plans and Expansions
Long-range plans by Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit (Minnesota) consider service extensions, increased frequency, and further integration with regional projects like proposed Gateway Corridor and enhancements to Northstar (rail service). Capital improvements under review include signal priority expansion with Minnesota Department of Transportation, additional center-running segments modeled after Portland Transit Mall, and coordination with climate resilience initiatives driven by City of Minneapolis and City of Saint Paul planning departments. Stakeholder engagement will continue with neighborhood groups, business associations, and regional agencies including Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and state legislators.
Category:Bus rapid transit in Minnesota Category:Transportation in Minneapolis Category:Transportation in Saint Paul