The Minnesota State Fair started with record-setting attendance, including August 23, where 17.4% of fair-goers rode transit to and from the Fair, helping make another record year for express and local route service. On any given day, between 12-17% of attendees rode transit to the fair.
The Bloomington express lot had the largest ridership increase, gaining more than 15,000 rides compared to last year. This is an increase of over 16%, and total rides were nearly 110,000.
Parade Stadium and Maplewood Mall Express Bus Park & Rides also had an increase of 30% more riders than the previous year.
In all, Metro Transit provided 595,000 rides to and from the fairgrounds over the course of the fair.
Three express lots were discontinued this year due to construction – Knox Avenue, Oakdale, and Fridley.
State Fair Edition of Hey! Where Does this Bus Go?
Local comedian Tane Danger met up with fair-goers boarding express buses at the Maplewood Mall Transit Center & Park & Ride last week. Watch Danger take a turn as a Metro Transit ambassador and catch up with a woman who's been attending the fair for more than 80 years in the latest edition of "Hey! Where Does This Bus Go?"