Northstar Link ups its game this weekend by scheduling extra buses for Twins baseball

ST. CLOUD — Anticipating high ridership for Twins baseball this weekend, Northstar Link Commuter Bus is adding extra buses to and from Big Lake October 2-4. This weekend marks the end of the Twins’ regular season and is also Fan Appreciation Weekend.

“Northstar service to Twins games is popular, and we anticipate this weekend to be extra busy,” said Tom Cruikshank, Managing Director of Operations & Planning for Metro Bus, which operates the Northstar Link service.

Northstar Link is scheduled to depart the St. Cloud Metro Bus Transit Center at 3:55 pm Friday, Oct. 2; 9:15 am Saturday, Oct. 3; and 10:35 am Sunday, Oct. 4; it will stop at St. Cloud State University’s Miller Center, the East St. Cloud Park and Ride Lot, and Becker before meeting the train in Big Lake at 5:03 pm Friday; 10:20 am Saturday; and 11:50 am Sunday.

“We strongly recommend customers come early to board the bus and we urge them to purchase their train fares in advance – especially for Saturday’s game,” said Cruikshank who shared that the time between when the bus arrives in Big Lake and the train departs may be a concern this weekend with the influx of Twins fans expected.

Customers can expedite the boarding process by ordering a print-at-home Northstar Family Pass or individual roundtrip ticket from .metrotransit.org/take-northstar-to-target-field.

Separate fares are required for the Northstar Bus and the Northstar Train. The cost to ride Northstar Link between St. Cloud and Big Lake is $2. Between Becker and Big Lake is $1. Fares for Northstar train from Big Lake to Target Field station ranges between $5.25 on weekend and $6.00 for weekday. A Roundtrip Family Pass costs $20 and is good for two adults and up to three kids or seniors. Individual roundtrip tickets from Big Lake are also available online.

See schedule (Click to enlarge)

Northstar Link 997T schedule Oct. 2-4, 2015
Northstar Link 997T schedule Oct. 2-4, 2015

Information about Northstar Commuter Rail service: metrotransit.org/northstar

Information about Northstar Link Commuter Bus service: CatchTheLink.com.

Ride to the State Fair from St. Cloud and Becker

ST. CLOUD  Northstar can help you get to the Minnesota State Fair.

Ride Northstar Link Commuter Bus from St. Cloud and Becker to connect with Northstar Commuter Rail in Big Lake for service to Fridley Station. State Fair Express buses leave Fridley Station every 30 minutes.

Northstar Link will be honoring Metro Transit’s Northstar Roundtrip Family Pass, so families can ride with one fare. The Northstar Roundtrip Family Pass may be purchased online for $30 and is valid for two adults and up to three kids (ages 6-17) or seniors (age 65+). Those not using a family pass may purchase single fares for Northstar Link, Northstar Commuter Rail, and State Fair Express Parking. Two adults traveling together save $12 by using the Family Pass. Kids under 5 ride free.

Purchase your pass and learn more information about the Family Pass  at:www.metrotransit.org/northstar-family-pass-state-fair

It is important to note that there is no extra Northstar Link service planned for the State Fair. Northstar Link meets every train on weekdays and has limited service on weekends. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for traveling between the State Fair and Fridley station. Plan to leave the fair at least one hour to 90 minutes before you expect to catch the train at Fridley Station.

Northstar does not operate on Labor Day.