Bronze Line Bus Rapid Transit

The city, along with Metro Transit, Ramsey County and St. Paul, is proud to roll out the Bronze Line, a first-of-its-kind hybrid route, offering Maplewood faster, flexible and more efficient bus service. 

Why the Purple Line didn’t work for Maplewood:  

• Bus only lane would have jammed White Bear Ave traffic; hampered Public Safety response  
• More expensive (total construction cost would have been up to $450 million) 
• Initial proposal didn’t include micro transit 

Bronze Line maintains more frequent service, convenient stations better ADA access: 

• Saves the Vento Trail
• Minimizes traffic disruptions in a congested corridor (all lanes open)
• Lowers construction costs (more than $100 million less) 
• Provides micro transit transfers to and from the Maplewood Mall Transit Center  

The new BRT Line will run from the Maplewood Mall Station to St. Paul’s Union Station on White Bear Ave

Maplewood will have six stations, with buses running every 10 minutes.   

“This redesign demonstrates what’s possible when agencies listen, adapt, and respond,” says Mayor Marylee Abrams. “Maplewood residents asked for flexible design, less disruption, and better bus service, and that’s what the Bronze Line delivers.” 

They city wants to thank community members who shared their views on this project and worked collaboratively to deliver a transit project that works for our community.   

Background

In September, 2024, the Maplewood City Council voted to withdraw support from running the Purple Line on the Bruce Vento Trail and its initial White Bear configuration.

For updates and project progress, visit Metro Transits' Bronze Line page.