West Metro

Blue Line light rail is back running for Monday's commute

September 22, 2014 at 10:28AM
On September 21, 2014 near the Bloomington Central station, a crew worked on rectifying issues with the track that caused a derailment on the blue line.
On September 21, 2014 near the Bloomington Central station, a crew worked on rectifying issues with the track that caused a derailment on the blue line. (Dml - Star Tribune Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Blue Line train service between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America — suspended as result of an accident Saturday — has been restored for the Monday morning commute.

Buses replaced trains in the area as work continued on a pole damaged by a train car that jumped the tracks on Saturday, Metro Transit spokesman Drew Kerr said.

Train service between the airport and downtown Minneapolis was unaffected.

On Saturday, service was disrupted when a metal plate broke loose from the rail line and lodged under the wheel of a northbound train car, forcing the train off the track and into a pole that holds the overhead power line.

Kerr said that workers have to reset the pole and wires.

Buses were operating on a similar schedule as trains, but riders were being urged to "schedule a little extra time," Kerr said.

Anthony Lonetree

Most members of the Metropolitan Council rarely use the public transportation system they are in charge of overseeing, based on transit pass usage and a Star Tribune survey of the 17-member body.
Debris on the track derailed a Blue Line train Saturday, disrupting service. (Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer