Expand the 789 bus route for better university access
Expand the 789 bus route for better university access
The Issue
Propose or Vote for a Bus Time
Living in Maple Grove, MN, and attending the University of Minnesota, I often face a challenging choice: stay late on campus to engage in extracurricular activities, seminars, and labs that enrich my education—or leave early to catch the 4:48 PM bus home, missing valuable opportunities because I cannot afford campus parking fees.
The 789 Express bus route from Maple Grove Transit Station to the University of Minnesota is a critical service for students commuting to campus. However, its current schedule restricts students’ ability to fully participate in campus life, especially those with late classes or evening commitments. Adding at least two more travel options—one in the morning and another in the evening—would provide the flexibility students need to maximize their university experience, academically and socially.
The limited transit schedule restricts students’ participation in campus activities. Recent data indicate that approximately 50% of University of Minnesota students engage in extracurricular activities that often extend beyond regular class hours. Without additional bus options, many must choose between valuable educational and social opportunities and financial burdens.
This limited schedule also affects staff and faculty who live in Maple Grove and nearby areas. Their commuting options are likewise constrained, reducing their ability to travel easily between home and campus. Additional bus routes would also help reduce traffic congestion around the University and free up the limited parking spaces available on campus, benefiting the entire university community.
Expanding the 789 route would support these commitments while easing the financial burden of commuting. For many, daily costs including parking and gas can exceed $20, and semester parking contracts range from approximately $307 for surface lots to $527 for garages—costs that accumulate substantially over time.
Enhancing the bus service to include additional trips promotes fairness and inclusion by reducing reliance on costly parking fees and encouraging more environmentally friendly commuting options. This change would support academic success and personal growth, enriching the overall university experience for all.
I urge Maple Grove Transit to consider adding at least two new trips on the 789 route—one in the morning and one in the evening—to better serve students, staff, and faculty. Your support is crucial. Please sign this petition to help create a more accessible, affordable, and opportunity-rich environment for the University of Minnesota community.
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The Issue
Propose or Vote for a Bus Time
Living in Maple Grove, MN, and attending the University of Minnesota, I often face a challenging choice: stay late on campus to engage in extracurricular activities, seminars, and labs that enrich my education—or leave early to catch the 4:48 PM bus home, missing valuable opportunities because I cannot afford campus parking fees.
The 789 Express bus route from Maple Grove Transit Station to the University of Minnesota is a critical service for students commuting to campus. However, its current schedule restricts students’ ability to fully participate in campus life, especially those with late classes or evening commitments. Adding at least two more travel options—one in the morning and another in the evening—would provide the flexibility students need to maximize their university experience, academically and socially.
The limited transit schedule restricts students’ participation in campus activities. Recent data indicate that approximately 50% of University of Minnesota students engage in extracurricular activities that often extend beyond regular class hours. Without additional bus options, many must choose between valuable educational and social opportunities and financial burdens.
This limited schedule also affects staff and faculty who live in Maple Grove and nearby areas. Their commuting options are likewise constrained, reducing their ability to travel easily between home and campus. Additional bus routes would also help reduce traffic congestion around the University and free up the limited parking spaces available on campus, benefiting the entire university community.
Expanding the 789 route would support these commitments while easing the financial burden of commuting. For many, daily costs including parking and gas can exceed $20, and semester parking contracts range from approximately $307 for surface lots to $527 for garages—costs that accumulate substantially over time.
Enhancing the bus service to include additional trips promotes fairness and inclusion by reducing reliance on costly parking fees and encouraging more environmentally friendly commuting options. This change would support academic success and personal growth, enriching the overall university experience for all.
I urge Maple Grove Transit to consider adding at least two new trips on the 789 route—one in the morning and one in the evening—to better serve students, staff, and faculty. Your support is crucial. Please sign this petition to help create a more accessible, affordable, and opportunity-rich environment for the University of Minnesota community.
35
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 1, 2025