Greetings,

After a dozen years of hard work and commitment to make it a reality, the Northstar Commuter Rail Line from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis will begin passenger service on Monday, November 16.

This exciting announcement was the focus of a media event that took place this afternoon at the Downtown Minneapolis Ballpark Station. Read the news release for more details about the announcement.

                              

Metro Transit, which will operate the Northstar Line, and Northstar officials have been busy putting the final touches on stations and testing Northstar trains to prepare for the service. Media also got a first look at the inside of Northstar's passenger cars today. 
                           
We hope you also will mark your calendars for Saturday, November 14, when the public will have an opportunity to celebrate Northstar's opening during events held at each Northstar station. Each station event will include a program, information about how to ride Northstar, refreshments and family-friendly activities and a chance to be among the first riders on a Northstar train. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information.

As Northstar's opening day approaches, I'm reminded that none of this would have been possible without the determination and dedication of many federal, state and local officials, members of the business community and supporters like you. Thank you.

Let's get ready to ride the line on November 16.

Sincerely,

Dan Erhart
NCDA Chair