Draft METRO H Line Plan Maps Faster Bus Service for St. Paul Corridor
A key transit project moving through planning this week could reshape bus service across parts of St. Paul.
A draft corridor plan for the proposed METRO H Line was released March 24, detailing how the city and regional transit planners hope to speed up service and improve reliability along one of St. Paul’s busiest bus corridors.
What the H Line Would Do
The H Line is planned as an arterial bus rapid transit route, meaning it would run in mixed traffic but include upgrades designed to make service faster and more consistent. Proposed improvements include enhanced stations with shelters and real-time arrival signs, off-board fare payment, and signal priority at key intersections.
The goal is to reduce travel times while maintaining frequent, all-day service. Planners say the corridor serves dense neighborhoods, schools, and job centers, making it a strong candidate for transit investment.
How It Fits Into Broader Planning
The draft plan now heads into public review and further refinement before seeking regional approval and funding commitments. Like other recent bus rapid transit projects in the metro, the H Line would be funded through a mix of federal, state, and local dollars.
City budget documents adopted earlier this year show continued investment in Public Works and transit-supportive infrastructure, including roadway upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and signal enhancements that could complement future BRT lines.
While some residents are pushing for larger-scale rail expansion, others see arterial BRT as a faster, more cost-effective way to improve everyday transit service.
What’s Next
Community meetings and feedback opportunities are expected this spring. If the project secures funding and final approvals, construction could follow in the coming years.
For St. Paul, the H Line represents another step in a broader shift toward transit corridors designed to support housing density, workforce access, and long-term economic development.
Sources
Metro H-Line Draft Corridor Plan Released
byu/Lukjamundo inMetroTransit
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