Metro Transit: New Bus Plan Will Still Serve Hopkins Riders

Hopkins bus riders may see fewer pick-up and drop-off times—but they should continue to be able to get where they’re going, a Metro Transit planner told the City Council on Thursday.

Metro Transit is reviewing whether to consolidate five west metro bus routes—664, 665, 667E, 670 and 671—into three routes. The biggest proposed cut near Hopkins is a portion of Route 670 on Highway 7 between of 17th Avenue and County Road 101.

But Steve Mahowald, senior planner with Metro Transit, said a readjusted route that will now terminate near 17th Avenue will keep service going to the biggest group of Hopkins riders on the affected line. That group is thought to be made up primarily of residents in the nearby Brentwood Park Townhomes and Apartments. 

Meanwhile, Mainstreet could see better service under the plan because the current Route 665, which would be renumbered to Route 664, would go up 11th Avenue to Mainstreet before dropping back to Excelsior Boulevard.

“In essence, Hopkins remains whole in terms of what we’re looking to do,” Mahowald said.

However, route 664 could have three pick-up and drop-off times instead of the four it has now.

Metro Transit plans public hearings in April in both Hopkins and Minnetonka, where the consolidation will have a more severe impact. Staff will seek Met Council approval in May, after integrating any changes that arose out of the discussions.

“There’s seldom a plan that we haven’t tweaked at least a little bit based on public comment,” Mahowald said.

The changes would take effect in late August 2013.

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