More people enjoying cost-savings, stress-free commute by catching Northstar Link

ST. CLOUD — For the fourth consecutive year, people hopped on board the Northstar Link Commuter Bus in record numbers to travel the Highway 10 corridor between St. Cloud and Minneapolis. Link ridership grew 9.4 percent in 2013, with a total ridership of 55,213.

The Northstar Link Commuter Bus provides daily service to the Northstar Commuter Rail line’s Big Lake Station and serves most rail trips. Northstar trains primarily serve weekday commuters.

Northstar trains also serve some special events and all home Twins and Vikings games. Again in 2014, all Twins home games will have Northstar Link and train service.

The number of Northstar train commuters also grew in 2013. Ridership reached 787,239 in 2013, a 12 percent increase. Last year’s ridership was the highest in the line’s four-year history.

The top reasons people use Northstar Link are cost savings, stress-free travel and convenience, according to Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority. The authority is the group that oversees the Link.

“A majority of customers ride more than one day a week, too, which is helping slow the growth of congestion on highways 10 and 94,” Commissioner Lenzmeier said.

The Northstar Link is a multi-purpose mode of transportation, serving not just commuters but sports fans and students.

“It’s not uncommon to have Sunday evening buses full of students headed back to St. Cloud State University,” Commissioner Lenzmeier said.

Northstar Link provides one trip each week that is not tied to the train schedule. Northstar Link makes it possible to work a half day or make a short, leisurely trip on Fridays. The Fabulous Friday midday bus service starts in St. Cloud at 10:15 a.m. and ends in Minneapolis at 12:45 p.m., with stops in between at

Becker and all Northstar train stations, except Fridley. The bus leaves downtown Minneapolis and heads north at 1 p.m., following the same route.

Information on schedules and fares, which range from $1.25 to $5.50 one way, can be found at www.CatchTheLink.com or by calling 877.LINK.010.

Northstar Christmas Eve and Day Schedules

ST. CLOUD —The Northstar Link route 887 will not operate on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2014. Northstar Link will run a modified schedule on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, in conjunction with Northstar rail service (see below). Northstar Link will operate its regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Regular fares will apply. Complete schedule details are available at www.CatchTheLink.com for the bus and www.metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.

Northstar Link Special Holidazzle Schedule

ST. CLOUD —Northstar Link 887 will connect with special 888 Northstar train service on Saturdays, Nov. 30 – Dec. 21. A single ride may be purchased onboard for $1.75, the regular weekend rate. Families can save money with the Northstar Family Pass, which will be honored by Northstar Link for this special service.

Northstar Roundtrip Family Pass: Pay one low price and get round trip Northstar rides for 2 adults and up to three kids ages 6-17 (kids 5 and under ride free!). Family Passes may be purchased online at http://metrotransit.org/northstar-service-to-holidazzle.aspx. Print the pass and show it to the Northstar Link driver. Be sure to save your printout for the return trip.

 Northstar Link service schedule for Target Holidazzle Parade

Complete schedule details for the train are available at  www.metrotransit.org/northstar.

Friday after Thanksgiving Schedule

The Northstar Link route 887 will have no service on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, but will run a modified schedule on the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 29 (see below). Route 887F (Fabulous Friday) will run as regularly scheduled.  Weekend fares will apply for 887 service while normal fares apply for 887F service.  Complete schedule details are available at www.CatchTheLink.com for the bus and www.metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.

 

Friday after Thanksgiving schedule

More people commute by catching the Link, benefits include cost savings, stress-free ride

ST. CLOUD — People are hopping on board the Northstar Link Commuter Bus in record numbers to travel in the highway 10 corridor between St. Cloud and Minneapolis. Link ridership in September reached a new high, with more than 5,400 rides, an 18 percent increase over September 2012.

The Northstar Link Commuter Bus, which has stops between St. Cloud and Big Lake, coordinates with most Northstar Commuter Rail train arrivals and departures at the Big Lake Station seven days each week.  The train schedule primarily serves commuters during rush hours, and offers limited weekend service plus some special events, including Twins baseball and Vikings football games.

The number of commuters on the train also is growing.  September 2013 ridership was up about seven percent over September 2012.

The top three reasons people use Northstar Link are cost savings, stress-free travel, and convenience, according to Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, which is the group that oversees the Link.

“I give some of the credit for the increased ridership to the efforts of the St. Cloud State Mass Communications students last year,” Commissioner Lenzmeier said. “As a class project, they helped build awareness on campus for the Link and train services. Now it’s common to have Sunday evening buses full of students headed back to SCSU.”

Commissioner Lenzmeier went on to say that the majority of riders use Link services more than one day a week, which he believes is helping to manage congestion on highways 10 and 94.

There is one weekday bus trip that isn’t tied to the train schedule.  Northstar Link makes it possible to work a half day or make a short, leisurely trip on Fridays.  The Fabulous Friday midday bus service starts in St. Cloud at 10:15 a.m. and ends in Minneapolis at 12:45 p.m., with stops in between at Becker and all Northstar train stations, except Fridley.  The bus leaves downtown Minneapolis and heads north at 1 p.m. with stops at all Northstar stations, except Fridley.

Average daily ridership on the Northstar Link surpassed 200 in September
Average daily ridership on the Northstar Link surpassed 200 in September. Ridership on the Northstar Link reached a record high in September, an 18 percent increase over September 2012 and more than an 100 percent increase over the first September in 2010.

 

 

 

Northstar Link to provide service to Saturday’s Twins game, time change

Northstar Link to provide service to Saturday’s Twins game, time change

ST. CLOUD — Northstar Link route 887T and Northstar Commuter Rail 888 will provide service to the 12:05 pm September 28 game vs the Indians. This game was originally scheduled for 3:10 pm .

 

Watch the time in later innings. Trains must leave at the posted times even if the game is delayed or goes into extra innings.

 

Special Service

Northstar Link to provide special service for Skyline Music Festival at Target Field

ST. CLOUD — Northstar Link along with Northstar Commuter Rail, will provide special service to the Skyline Music Festival on Friday, July 26. Weekend and non-peak service fares apply for Northstar Link.

July 4 and 5 schedule

Northstar Link announces July 4-5 schedule

ST. CLOUD — Northstar Link 887 will not operate on the July 4 holiday and will offer reduced service on Friday, July 5, to follow Metro Transit’s schedule for Northstar commuter rail route 888.

Northstar Link schedules for July 4 and 5:

887: No service on Thursday, July 4. To operate reduced service on Friday, July 5. Weekend fares to apply. See schedule below.

887F: In service as regularly scheduled on Friday, July 5. Regular 887F fares to apply. Schedule posted on catchthelink.com.

887T: In service as scheduled for the July 4 1:10 pm Twins game. Regular 887T fares to apply. Schedule posted on catchthelink.com.

July 5, 2013 Reduced Northstar Link service schedule

 

Complete schedule details are available at www.CatchTheLink.com for the bus and www.metrotransit.org/northstar for the train.