Bronze Line to replace Purple Line BRT
Ramsey County and Metro Transit announced on Dec. 2, 2025, that the long‑planned METRO Purple Line will be replaced by a new 'Bronze Line' hybrid bus route running between St. Paul and Maplewood. The revised corridor shortens and retools the project, shifting away from the previous Purple Line plan and setting up next steps for design, environmental review and public engagement.
📌 Key Facts
- Official action: Purple Line replacement with a 'Bronze Line' hybrid route
- Service area: St. Paul to Maplewood (Ramsey County, east metro)
- Announcement date: December 2, 2025; agencies involved: Ramsey County, Metro Transit/Met Council
📊 Relevant Data
In Minnesota, Black commuters use public transit at a rate of 3.9%, Hispanic at 3.4%, Asian at 6.0%, and American Indian at 6.3%, compared to 0.8% for White non-Hispanic commuters in 2021.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota Department of Transportation
In Minnesota, 13.2% of Black households have no vehicle, compared to 3% of White non-Hispanic households in 2020.
Race and Transportation Trend Analysis — Minnesota Department of Transportation
In Ramsey County, the population composition in 2023 is 58.7% White (Non-Hispanic), 14.9% Asian (Non-Hispanic), 12% Black (Non-Hispanic), and 8.24% Hispanic.
Ramsey County, MN — Data USA
The original Purple Line BRT project to White Bear Lake was projected to cost between $456.9 million and $473.7 million in 2021 estimates.
METRO Purple Line BRT Project — Metropolitan Council
In Maplewood, the population composition in 2023 is 53.3% White, 22.4% Asian, 9.5% Hispanic, showing an increase in Asian population compared to 2020 figures.
Maplewood Demographics — Minnesota Demographics