In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Metro Transit said Thursday it will suspend nighttime light rail service beginning Saturday.
Metro Transit to suspend nightime light-rail service starting Saturday
COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in 70% decline in service.
April 16, 2020 at 10:35PM
Service on the Green and Blue lines will be suspended between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. in an effort to also address "operational challenges." Evening trips on light rail that begin before 9 p.m. will complete their trips, Metro Transit said.
The Blue Line airport shuttle between Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey) at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will continue to operate overnight.
No layoffs or furloughs of light-rail operators will occur as a result of the service cutback, according to a Metro Transit spokesman. Ridership on light rail is down more than 70% during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Regular bus service will continue to be suspended between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. And earlier this week, Metro Transit suggested that passengers wear a mask or face covering while aboard all buses. Only 10 bus passengers will be permitted on 40-foot buses, and 15 on 60-foot buses.
Metro Transit advises that public transportation should be used for essential purposes only.
Janet Moore • 612-673-7752 @ByJanetMoore
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