New Bus Route 345 Launches, Connects Woodbury to MSP Airport

UPDATE: A new Metro Transit bus route, Route 345, officially launched on Sunday, providing crucial connections for residents of Washington and Dakota County to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the east metro community, according to Karla Bigham, Washington County District 4 Commissioner.

The newly established Route 345 aims to deliver “faster and more reliable service to the southeast metro,” as stated by Metro Transit. Buses will operate hourly from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, significantly cutting commute times between Woodbury and the Mall of America by nearly 30 minutes.

Steve Baisden, a senior service planner at Metro Transit, emphasized the transformative impact of this route. “Previously, travelers would take the Gold Line to Route 54, resulting in a total travel time of approximately an hour and a half. Now, with Route 345, that time is nearly halved,” Baisden explained.

Route 345 is part of the Network Now initiative, which was designed by the Metropolitan Council to enhance the regional transit network in response to the shifting travel patterns caused by the pandemic. Alongside Route 345, Metro Transit also launched two additional routes, 725 and 837, funded through the council’s Regional Transportation Sales and Use Tax.

“This new route is vital for expanding network access and improving regional accessibility, especially along the Highway 62 and I-494 corridor,” Baisden noted. Route 345 will also restore service at the Newport Transit Station, which had been temporarily closed after experiencing low ridership since the onset of the pandemic.

Bigham highlighted the necessity of this service, remarking, “We didn’t have public transportation in the east metro, like Washington County, to the airport or to the Mall of America, which is pretty important.” She anticipates increased ridership at Newport with the reintroduction of this route.

In Woodbury, Route 345 stops at Woodlane Station, connecting seamlessly with routes 323, 355, and Metro Micro, as well as the Gold Line. The launch of this route is expected to benefit residents who rely on public transportation, particularly those without vehicles or in single-car households.

“This route is providing new connections that were not possible prior to the pandemic,” Baisden stated. He added that it caters to the evolving travel needs of the community, facilitating access to jobs and services in the south metro.

Additionally, Route 345 connects with Route 68 at Robert Street and Marie Avenue, and Route 75 on Livingston Avenue in West St. Paul. Future plans include extending connections to the G Line along South Robert Street, which is set to open in 2028.

For commuters, Route 345 features three Park & Ride lots located at Woodlane Station in Woodbury, the Newport Transit Center, and the 30th Avenue Station in Bloomington. For detailed bus maps and schedules, visit metrotransit.org.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.