Light-rail ridership 'strong' on Twin Cities' new Green Line

Metro Transit has logged about 6 million rides on the Metro Green Line during the first six months of its operation, a "strong" showing, agency officials announced last week.

The Green Line light-rail service began June 14. More than 1 million rides were taken in both September and October, and average weekday ridership in November was 36,240, near the 2030 projection of 41,000 rides, according to a Metro Transit press release.

"The community response to the Green Line is even better than we imagined," said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. "In less than one year of operation, the Green Line has clearly had a major impact on the way people get around, interact with and enjoy the Twin Cities."

Combined with other rail and bus services, the Green Line is expected to drive Metro Transit's total annual ridership to around 84 million, the highest it has been since 1981, agency officials said.

The most popular stops have been East Bank Station in the center of the University of Minnesota campus, and Nicollet Mall Station in downtown Minneapolis. Stadium Village Station, near TCF Bank Stadium, has also become a hub of activity on football game days. Around 25 percent of Minnesota Vikings fans took the Green Line to and from games this season, double the ridership from previous years.