New Commuter Bus Pilot to Replace Northstar Rail for Big Lake, Elk River Riders

New Commuter Bus Pilot to Replace Northstar Rail for Big Lake, Elk River Riders

ELK RIVER, Minn. — A new pilot commuter bus service is set to launch between Big Lake and Elk River and downtown Minneapolis beginning January 5, 2026, replacing the soon-to-be discontinued Northstar Commuter Rail line. The decision follows a 4–1 vote by the Sherburne County Board to proceed with the initiative after hearing details from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Metropolitan Council last month.

The two-year pilot aims to preserve a critical transit connection for local commuters after Northstar, which has operated between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis since 2009, ends service due to persistently low ridership and high operating costs. Riders from Elk River and Big Lake currently make up about half of Northstar’s total passengers, according to MnDOT and county data.

Service and Operations Details

Under MnDOT’s proposal, the state agency would enter a two-year agreement with the Metropolitan Council to operate the route. Key elements of the planned service include:

• Frequency: Three round trips each weekday.
• Schedule: Travel times comparable to current Northstar train schedules.
• Limitations: No weekend or special-event service.
• Fleet: Buses would be supplied by the Metropolitan Council from its existing inventory.

County commissioners debated whether to begin with two or three weekday trips but ultimately chose the three-trip schedule, citing the need to give the program “the best chance of success.” Representatives from MnDOT, Metro Transit, and Metro Bus in St. Cloud joined the board meeting remotely to provide operational input.

Funding and Fiscal Responsibility

The total cost of the pilot is estimated at $487,000 in 2026 and $590,000 in 2027 — roughly $1.07 million over the two-year period — to be split evenly between Sherburne County and MnDOT.

• County’s share: Sherburne County will fund its portion using proceeds from its half-cent local option sales tax, in effect since 2019.
• Revenue offset: Fare collections are expected to cover 10 % to 20 % of total operating expenses, according to County Administrator Bruce Messelt.

The board will receive quarterly ridership updates and retain an “off-ramp” option, allowing early termination if ridership fails to meet expectations.

“We can be really fiscally responsible about this,” said Commissioner Andrew Hulse of Elk River, who supported the built-in review mechanism.

Voting in favor of the measure were Commissioners Gary Gray, Raeanne Danielowski, Gregg Felber, and Andrew Hulse. Commissioner Brad Schumacher cast the lone dissenting vote.

Transition from Northstar Rail

The Metropolitan Council voted in August to discontinue Northstar Commuter Rail service effective early January 2026, citing years of low ridership and high subsidies. The rail line currently operates between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis, with stops in Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley.

The new bus service will maintain weekday commuter access along the corridor once the final Northstar trains run on the weekend of January 3–4, 2026. While the commuter rail will cease daily operations, special-event service—such as for Minnesota Vikings games—will continue on a limited basis, according to Metro Transit.

The pilot also coincides with the phase-out of the Northstar Link bus between St. Cloud and Big Lake, which will end service December 31, 2025, due to the elimination of its rail connection.

Looking Ahead

Sherburne County officials emphasized that the bus pilot is an experiment in maintaining regional connectivity while managing costs. If ridership proves sufficient, the county and MnDOT could explore extending or expanding the service beyond 2027.

“The goal is to keep people moving while being mindful of taxpayer resources,” Messelt said.

As the Northstar era winds down, county leaders hope the commuter bus will provide a reliable, cost-effective bridge for residents traveling between the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis.

MinneapoliMedia