The number of weekday bus trips that stop at NCC will increase to 116 this fall.

Metro Transit expands service to NCC

By Rebecca Erdmann

For students without a car, unwilling to pay current gas prices or frustrated by the lack of parking around campus, getting to NCC will soon be less of a hassle.

Beginning in fall semester, Metro Transit will be running more buses to NCC, almost doubling the number of buses currently in service.

This expanded service will be beneficial to students, who will have more transportation options.
The average time it takes to get to NCC by bus will be severely cut back.

Expanded bus service means more convenience for students. While some bus routes to NCC used to take over an hour, and include several transfers, with the expanded service the average trip from downtown Minneapolis to NCC will take about 45 minutes. Buses will run all day, and possibly into the evening, creating more convenience for all students, especially those taking evening classes.

The executive director of 494 Commuter Services, Melissa Madison said, “There was bus service to NCC from downtown, but due to budget cuts, a direct route was lost.” Currently there are 69 one-way bus trips provided by the BE (Bloomington-Edina) line route 539. Another 47 new Metro

Transit one-way bus trips from downtown Minneapolis to NCC will soon be added. This additional
service will bring the total number of weekday bus trips bound for NCC to 116.

In addition to more buses, Metro Transit will also introduce a new payment system called the Go-to-College pass. Although quite similar to the monthly passes and stored value cards already available from Metro Transit, the Go-to-College card will be deeply discounted and more affordable to students.

According to Madison, the new bus passes will be good for unlimited rides from Aug. 15 through Dec. 31. Go-to-College passes will be good on both light-rail and buses and will also be available
for spring semester.

Metro Transit will be on campus Aug. 27 through Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Representatives will be available to answer questions about busing and the Go-to-College pass, as well as create personalized bus schedules for students, provide free bus passes, and information about carpooling and biking options. Students can also get personalized itineraries and bus passes online.

For Metro Tansit route and schedule information, check out the Metro Transit Web site: www.metrotransit.org.