Bus service strong with fair-goers

Metro Transit officials report strong growth in bus travel to the Minnesota State Fair this year.

Ridership from the agency's express lots is up 11 percent over 2010, despite a dip in attendance reported by State Fair officials, said John Siqveland, Metro Transit spokesman.

"It's a great start for this year, and we're seeing much higher growth this year than we did last year, Siqveland said.

The lot at Dunwoody College of Technology is showing some of the strongest growth as an overflow lot for the County Road 73 Park and Ride in Minnetonka, Siqveland said.

Metro Transit has 17 express route sites where fairgoers can get a $5 round trip ride to the fair.

The state fair itself offers free bus service from 35 other locations nearby the fairgrounds. A ridership count won't be available until a week or more after the fair ends, but transportation director Steve Grans said informal reports indicate buses are showing strong ridership.