January 15, 2010
ADDITIONAL CONNECTION TO NORTHSTAR LINK FROM SCSU

Effective Monday, January 18th, the 5:15 p.m. Metro Bus Campus Clipper NE departing SCSU will serve the Northstar Link lot at 5:22 p.m. - upon request - connecting with the 5:32 p.m. reverse commute Northstar Link bus.

November 16, 2009
The first Northstar Link rider, Julie Schlangen, 31, of St. Cloud boarded the 4:10 a.m. Link bus to Big Lake.

October 23, 2009
NORTHSTAR LINK COMMUTER BUS RELEASES SCHEDULE

Starting November 16, 2009, the Northstar Link commuter bus schedule connecting to the Northstar Line commuter rail in Big Lake includes five weekday morning and afternoon arrivals and departures along with connections to and from both the Metro Bus Transit Center and St. Cloud State University.

The weekday bus schedules are planned around Northstar Line Commuter Rail service times. Northstar Link will leave St. Cloud about every 30 minutes and arrive in Big Lake between 4:50 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. with five additional reverse trips in the morning. On weekday afternoons, Northstar Link will leave Big Lake about every 30 minutes between 4:45 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. with five additional afternoon reverse trips.

Click here for the full schedule.

Introductory one-way fares will be offered on Northstar Link for only $1 through December 31, 2009. The fare to ride the train from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis is $7.

At this time, Northstar Link will not be providing weekend service. This service may be added in the future.

October 9, 2009
NORTHSTAR LINK COMMUTER BUS ANNOUNCES OPPORTUNITY FOR 40 PEOPLE TO BE AMONG FIRST TO RIDE BUS AND TRAIN

Northstar Link Commuter Bus will be giving away 20 pairs of passes for free rides on the bus and train during the Northstar Link and Northstar Commuter Rail grand opening events on Saturday, November 14, 2009.

The Northstar Link event coincides with the Northstar Line Commuter Rail grand opening events in Big Lake and Minneapolis. Winners of the Northstar Link Commuter Bus passes will also ride the Northstar Commuter Rail train from Big Lake to Minneapolis, where they will participate in activities at the Target Field Station for about an hour before returning to Big Lake to board the bus back to St. Cloud.

Public events will be held at each Northstar station on November 14th from St. Cloud to downtown Minneapolis to mark Northstar’s grand opening. The events will include a program, transit information, and family-friendly activities. More details about the events and the day’s schedule will be announced soon.

How to win:
1. Listen to 98 Country, Wild Country, the Power Loon, KNSI, or Mix 94.9 starting October 26, 2009.
2. Sign up on the Northstar Link email list at www.catchthelink.com.

Winners will be determined by radio call in and randomly selected from the Northstar Link email list by November 6, 2009 and notified by email or phone. Winners will be required to provide proof of identification prior to boarding the bus.

“Northstar supporters have anticipated the launch of commuter rail service for a long time and excitement for the state’s first commuter rail line is at an all-time high,” said Dan Erhart, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority.

Regular service on the Northstar Link Commuter Bus and Northstar Line Commuter Rail will begin the following Monday, November 16, 2009. Introductory one-way fares will be offered on Northstar Link for only $1 through December 31, 2009. The fare to ride the train from Big Lake to downtown Minneapolis is $7.

"As ridership builds on Northstar Link, it will help us make the case that train service should be extended to St. Cloud, as originally envisioned," said Sherburne County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, chair of the St. Cloud Extension Committee for the Northstar Corridor Development Authority.

September 10, 2009
Be among the first to ride the Northstar Commuter Rail Line from Big Lake to Minneapolis
Click here to enter your name in a drawing for a chance to receive advanced tickets for Northstar's grand opening rides at suburban stations on Nov. 14.

September 1, 2009
Northstar Link rates get hearing (from St. Cloud Times)

August 31, 2009
Northstar line to start service Nov. 16 (from St. Cloud Times)

August 28, 2009
Northstar Commuter Rail fare is $7 per ticket, will increase to $8 (from St. Cloud Times)

August 27, 2009
Construction Begins on St. Cloud Park and Ride Lot (from Mesabi Daily News)

August 27, 2009
Construction Begins on St. Cloud Park and Ride Lot (from Hibbing Daily Tribune)

August 26, 2009
Northstar Link Commuter Bus breaks ground on St. Cloud park and ride location.



Ground was broken for the new Northstar Link park and ride Aug. 26 by city, county and state officials. Pictured are Sherburne County Commissioner John Riebel, Senator Tarryl Clark, St. Cloud Councilwoman Sonja Hayden-Berg, Sherburne County Commissioner Ewald Petersen, Stearns County Commissioner DeWayne Mareck, Sherburne County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, Sherburne County Commissioner Larry Farber, St. Cloud Councilwoman Carolyn Garven, Big Lake Councilman Chuck Heitz, Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart, Representative Dan Severson, and Senator Lisa Fobbe.

August 21, 2009
Northstar Link Commuter Coach Park and Ride Lot Groundbreaking set for Aug 26