Northstar commuter trains will begin service to the newly constructed Ramsey Station on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Twelve Northstar trips will serve the station each weekday during rush hours. The station will also be served by six trips on Saturdays and Sundays as well as specially-scheduled trains for large downtown events such as Vikings games and Holidazzle. The one-way weekday fare between Ramsey Station and Minneapolis is $3.50 (see other fares).

“Ramsey Station will provide hundreds of daily connections for commuters and travelers – including veterans accessing the new Northwest Metro VA Outpatient Clinic in Ramsey,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.

Located between Elk River and Anoka stations, Ramsey Station is the seventh along the line and the only new station added since Northstar began service on Nov. 16, 2009. A skyway from the adjacent Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility connects the station to parking spaces for Northstar customers.

In celebration of the station opening and the line’s third anniversary, the public is invited to enjoy free rides on all Northstar trains from all stations on Nov. 14 and 15. Metro Transit staff will be available at all stations to assist first-time customers and will also provide transfers to buses and the Hiawatha light-rail line at Target Field Station.

Station funding was provided by the City of Ramsey, Anoka County Regional Rail Authority, the Counties Transit Improvement Board, State of Minnesota and Metropolitan Council. Sheehy Construction is the general contractor. The project will be completed on schedule and well within its $13.2 million budget.

Northstar is operated by Metro Transit, a service of the Metropolitan Council. Customers boarded Metro Transit buses and trains 81 million times last year.