Renew the Blue: July 2026 Blue Line & Green Line bus replacement guide

Minneapolis-area riders using METRO Blue Line—and the far west end of the METRO Green Line—need to plan around summer replacement service. Metro Transit’s “Renew the Blue” work is shifting riders from trains to replacement buses during a 2026 maintenance window, so the key question for commuters is which station-to-station trips are affected on your usual schedule.

What “Renew the Blue” means for riders

Metro Transit says the METRO Blue Line is due for needed improvements, upgrades, and essential maintenance after about 20 years of service. During this work, the agency is using replacement buses instead of light rail trains to keep service moving while crews do the Track & Signals project and related corridor updates.

METRO Blue Line: June 29–Aug. 19 bus replacement window (Mall of America ↔ Target Field)

Metro Transit’s rider-facing schedule says buses replace METRO Blue Line trains between Mall of America and Target Field stations from Monday, June 29 through Wednesday, Aug. 19.

That means all of July 2026 falls inside the Blue Line bus replacement period. Metro Transit also notes replacement buses will run every 15 minutes, stopping at or near light rail stations, with some boarding location changes during construction.

METRO Green Line: July 1–26 (and again Aug. 16–19) west-end bus connections

For the Green Line, the disruption covers the west end of the line. Metro Transit says buses replace Green Line trains between West Bank and Target Field stations:

• Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 26
• Sunday, Aug. 16 through Wednesday, Aug. 19

University of Minnesota Parking & Transportation Services also flags the same July impact, saying there is no Green Line service between West Bank and Target Field from July 1–26.

If your Green Line commute normally includes a transfer at U.S. Bank Stadium Station, Metro Transit encourages you to instead catch a replacement bus at West Bank Station during the construction period.

When Green Line service resumes downtown Minneapolis

Metro Transit says Green Line service to downtown Minneapolis will resume between Monday, July 27 and Saturday, Aug. 15. Riders should still plan for potential event-day adjustments and verify updates close to departure—Metro Transit notes dates and affected stations can be subject to change during construction.

How to adjust your commute (practical steps)

1) Build your plan around the exact affected segment. If your regular trip uses the Blue Line between Mall of America and Target Field during the June 29–Aug. 19 window—or the Green Line between West Bank and Target Field during July 1–26—assume you’ll be riding on replacement bus service instead of trains.

2) Give yourself extra travel time. Metro Transit advises riders to plan extra time and to review replacement bus stops and schedules before leaving.

3) Use Metro Transit’s listed alternatives. For Blue Line trips, Metro Transit points riders to the METRO D Line and routes 7, 9, and 22. For Green Line trips, Metro Transit recommends the METRO E Line as an option running from Stadium Village to downtown Minneapolis and points south.

4) Check rider alerts before you head out. Metro Transit’s Track & Signals page says signing up for rider alerts—specifically the “Blue Line Bus” option—can help you get replacement bus updates during the Phase 2 maintenance project.

Where to get ongoing updates if windows shift

Because Metro Transit says replacement dates and affected stations are subject to change, rely on the agency’s dedicated Renew the Blue hub and the rider alert pages for the most current bus replacement schedule and service updates before commuting during the July window.

Sources

• Metro Transit: Buses replacing light rail trains June 29 to August 19
• University of Minnesota PTS: No Westbound Green Line Service (July 1–26)

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