End of the Line: Minnesota’s Northstar Commuter Rail Ceases Operations After 16 Years

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Minnesota’s Northstar Commuter Rail has officially ceased operations after more than 16 years of service, with its final journey transporting football fans to downtown Minneapolis on January 4, 2026. The shutdown, authorized by the Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council due to persistently declining ridership, marks a significant shift in regional transit strategy for the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, pivoting from fixed-rail to a more flexible bus network.

The final Northstar train completed its run on Sunday, carrying passengers, rail enthusiasts, and NFL fans to the Vikings-Packers game—a fittingly high-traffic event to cap its service history. The decision to terminate the service was made by the Metropolitan Council in August 2025, following years of struggling to meet ridership projections, a situation exacerbated by shifting post-pandemic commuting patterns. In its place, Metro Transit, working alongside Anoka County Transit and Anoka County Commute Solutions, has already launched a replacement bus network. Officials state this new network will offer greater flexibility and all-day service, rather than being limited to the peak commuting hours that defined the train’s schedule.

Launched in late 2009, the Northstar line was designed to alleviate traffic congestion along the busy US Highway 10 corridor, connecting the northern suburbs of Big Lake, Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, and Coon Rapids to downtown Minneapolis. The 40-mile line utilized existing BNSF Railway trackage, a common strategy for cost-effective commuter rail implementation in North America. For many of its passengers, the service was a valued and “stress-free” alternative to highway driving, offering a reliable connection for work, sporting events, and concerts. The final journey was a poignant moment for many, including families and train aficionados who came to take one last ride.

The closure of Northstar reflects a broader challenge facing commuter rail agencies across the continent. Systems built around the traditional five-day, in-office work week have seen their financial models upended by the rise of hybrid and remote work. While weekend and event-based services remained popular, the core daily commuter demand that underpins operational funding never fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The Metropolitan Council’s move to substitute the high-fixed-cost rail line with a more adaptable bus system represents a pragmatic, if difficult, choice in a changing urban mobility landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Service Concluded: The Northstar Commuter Rail officially ended service on January 4, 2026, after a 16-year operational history.
• Bus Network Replacement: A coordinated bus service operated by Metro Transit and county partners has been implemented to serve the corridor with more flexible, all-day scheduling.
• Ridership-Driven Decision: The shutdown was a direct result of chronically low ridership that made the rail service financially unsustainable, a trend seen in many post-pandemic urban regions.

Editor’s Analysis

The shuttering of the Northstar line is a significant case study for transport authorities globally. It underscores the vulnerability of capital-intensive, peak-hour-focused commuter rail systems in an era of decentralized work. While rail offers undeniable benefits in capacity and environmental impact, its high operational and maintenance costs are difficult to justify without consistent, high-volume ridership. The pivot by Minneapolis’s Metro Transit to a more nimble bus network is a strategy that other mid-sized metropolitan areas will be watching closely. This decision highlights a crucial debate in public transport: whether to maintain legacy rail infrastructure in hopes of a ridership rebound or to reallocate resources towards more scalable and demand-responsive modes like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and integrated bus networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Northstar Commuter Rail shut down?

The primary reason was persistently declining ridership, which made the service financially unsustainable. The Twin Cities’ Metropolitan Council voted in August 2025 to end the service based on these figures.

What route did the Northstar train serve?

It operated a 40-mile route connecting the city of Big Lake and other northern suburbs like Anoka and Coon Rapids to Target Field Station in downtown Minneapolis.

What is replacing the Northstar rail service?

Metro Transit, in partnership with Anoka County, has launched an expanded bus network. This new system is designed to provide more frequent, all-day service to the communities previously served by the train.