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Bus with Metro Transit

Our St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses are well-connected to the surrounding metro area through multiple Metro Transit routes. The Metro Transit website has detailed bus maps and route information as well as a Trip Planner system.

Metro Transit routes with stops on (or near) the St. Paul Campus:

  • Route 21 = stop at Summit Ave & Finn St.
  • Route 53* = stop at Cleveland Ave. & Marshall Ave.
  • Route 63 = stop at Summit Ave. & Cretin Ave.
  • Route 87 = stop at Cleveland Ave. & Marshall Ave.

*Rush Hour Route runs during limited hours

Park and Ride options for the St. Paul Campus

Map of Metro Transit Bus Routes serving the St. Paul Campus

Metro Transit routes with stops on (or near) the Minneapolis Campus:

  • Route 4 = stops one block west of campus on Hennepin Ave between S. 9th & S 12th
  • Route 6 = stops one block west of campus on Hennepin Ave between S. 9th & S 12th
  • Route 9 = stop at S 9th St on the North End of Campus
  • Route 10 = stops one block east of campus on Nicollet Mall between S 9th & S 12th
  • Route 11 = stops one block east of campus on Nicollet Mall between S 9th & S 12th
  • Route 12 = stops one block west of campus on Hennepin Ave between S. 9th & S 12th
  • Route 17 = stops one block east of campus on Nicollet Mall between S 9th & S 12th
  • Route 18 = stops one block east of campus on Nicollet Mall between S 9th & S 12th
  • Route 24 = stop at S 9th St on the North End of Campus
  • Route 25 = stops one block east of campus on Nicollet Mall between S 9th & S 12th

Park and Ride options for the Minneapolis Campus

Map of Metro Transit Bus Routes serving the Minneapolis Campus

Resources

If you're new to riding the bus, Metro Transit has several videos to guide you through the process.

Discounted Bus Passes for Students, Faculty, and Staff

St. Thomas subsidizes the cost of a bus pass, making them less expensive for students, faculty, and staff. If you plan to use the bus daily, a bus pass is the most economical choice. If you will use the bus occasionally, purchase a Stored Value Card.

  • Student bus pass: The semester-long, student Metro Transit College Pass (or C-Pass) can be purchased through the Parking Portal.
  • Faculty and Staff bus pass: The Faculty/Staff Metropass can be purchased through the Parking Portal.
  • Stored Value Card and 10-Ride Pass (for all): $20 Stored Value Cards and 10-Ride Passes can be purchased at Campus Stores.

Bus Pass Options

Undergraduate and graduate students registered for credits and who do not purchase a parking permit are eligible to purchase the Metro Transit C-Pass. The C-Pass allows unlimited rides on Metro Transit buses and the light rail system.

  • Fall passes: Aug. 15 - Dec. 31, $150
  • Spring passes: Jan. 1 - May 31, $150
  • Summer passes: June 1 - Aug. 14, $85

A valid St. Thomas identification card is required to purchase a pass. You will register for the C-Pass through the St. Thomas Parking Portal before picking up the pass at the Parking Services Office. (Instructions below.)

Passes are non-transferable and must be returned if the student withdraws from classes or the University. Use of the pass by anyone other than the purchaser is forbidden and will result in revocation of C-Pass privileges. A lost or stolen C-Pass can be replaced for $5; a second replacement will cost $20. Damaged passes will be replaced at no cost if the pass is returned along with a request for a replacement to Parking Services.

Full-time employees (.625 FTE or greater) who choose not to drive to campus and do not purchase a parking permit are eligible for the Employee Metropass program.

A valid St. Thomas ID is required to purchase a pass. You will register for the Metropass through the St. Thomas Parking Portal, before picking up the pass at the Parking Services Office. (Instructions below.

St. Thomas subsidizes the cost of the Metropass by 75% for an annual cost of $400, which is paid for through bi-weekly, pretax payroll deductions. This pass is valid for unlimited rides on all Metro Transit buses and the light rail system. Passes are non-transferable and must be returned if employment is terminated or falls below an FTE of 625.

Use of the Metropass by anyone other than the purchaser is forbidden and will result in revocation of Metropass privileges. A lost or stolen Metropass will be replaced once during a 12-month period for $5; a second replacement during this period will cost $10. Refunds will not be issued for replacement passes if the original lost or stolen Metropass is recovered. Damaged passes will be replaced at no cost if the pass is returned along with a request for a replacement.

You can buy Metro Transit 10-Ride Passes and $20 pre-loaded Stored Value Cards at the St. Thomas Campus Stores (both St. Paul and Minneapolis).

Discounted bus passes are purchased through the St. Thomas Parking Portal. Follow these steps:

  1. Login to the Parking Portal using your St. Thomas email address and network password. Make sure to select "St. Thomas Login".
  2. Click on "Get Permit" in the lower right-hand corner.
  3. Read the instructions on the following page and click "Next".
  4. Select the permit you wish to purchase.
  5. Agree to the policy statements and Click "Next".
  6. You will be taken to the payment page. Your method of payment will be automatically selected as "Payroll Deduction" for faculty and staff, or "Student Account" for students.
  7. Click "Pay Now".
  8. Go to one of the Parking Services offices to pick up your student C-Pass or faculty/staff Metropass. (Parking Services is located in St. Paul at ASC 253, and in Minneapolis at TMH 110.)