MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Metro Transit is taking additional measures to ensure safe and reliable transit for several upcoming events in the Twin Cities and is making additional changes to light rail and bus service beginning Saturday.

Each quarter, Metro Transit implements changes to transit services throughout the greater Twin Cities area. These changes adjust services based on current and projected ridership, available resources and driver workforce, according to a press release.

With several upcoming events in the Twin Cities metro area and an overall increase in ridership, here’s what you need to know about the changes starting Saturday.

Changes to tram and bus timetables

Starting August 17, Metro Transit says light rail service will increase, and several bus routes will also see improvements as part of the quarterly service change.

Here are some quarterly changes implemented by Metro Transit:

• On the METRO Blue Line and METRO Green Line, trains run every 12 minutes between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Currently, trains run every 15 minutes.
• There will be service and schedule adjustments on lines 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22, 32, 46 and METRO Line C to accommodate the new school closing times for Minneapolis Public Schools.
• On weekdays, METRO Orange Line buses run northbound every 10 minutes between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and southbound every 10 minutes between 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Currently, the 15-minute frequency is higher during these times. On Sundays, buses run every 15 minutes.

Click here to see more changes.

Upcoming events

The busy series of events kicks off with a Metallica concert at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday, August 16 and Sunday, August 18, a Green Day concert at Target Field on Saturday and a Def Leppard concert at Target Field on Monday.

The Minnesota State Fair begins on Thursday, August 22 and runs through Labor Day on September 2. Metro Transit will provide up to 87 express buses to transport fairgoers from several park-and-ride locations to the fairgrounds.

In a press release, Metro Transit said it has plans for a busy August 24. Minnesota sports teams, including the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota United and St. Paul Saints, each have home games on Saturday. Zach Bryan will also perform at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Open Streets event will take place on Lyndale Avenue.

Officials said extra police and staff would be deployed to direct fans before and after major events in the city, and three-car trains would be used to handle the increasing number of passengers.

Crime decreased, passenger numbers increased

While additional staff and police officers are on site during major events, Metro Transit said reported crime fell 17.5% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year.

In addition, passenger numbers increased by 9% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year.

“There has been a sustained and focused effort across the organization to make our system safer and more welcoming for transit riders and employees,” General Manager Lesley Kandaras said in a statement earlier this month. “We clearly hear that there is more work to be done, but are encouraged by the progress we are making.”

To learn more about Metro Transit’s progress, visit their website here.