Minnesota Valley Transit Authority Announces Spring 2026 Service Changes Effective March 16
MVTA’s 4FUN Bus will begin operating year-round on March 16 and incorporate destinations previously served by Route 495.
Published: February 26, 2026.
DAKOTA & SCOTT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA - The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) will implement a series of service changes beginning Monday, March 16, 2026, introducing expanded service to major destinations, streamlined routes, and new on-demand transit options across Dakota and Scott counties.
The Spring 2026 adjustments come after months of ridership analysis, public feedback, and coordination with regional partners. MVTA officials say the updates are designed to better match current travel patterns while maintaining strong connections to employment centers, schools, and popular regional destinations.
MVTA provides public transit service to seven cities across Dakota and Scott Counties in the south Twin Cities metro.
Weekend Service Changes in Shakopee and Prior Lake
Weekend fixed-route service on Routes 497 and 499 will transition to MVTA Connect, the agency’s on-demand, app-based transit service, in Shakopee and Prior Lake.
Riders will be able to book flexible, curb-to-curb trips within a designated service zone using the RideMVTA app. Officials say the change is intended to offer greater flexibility while improving efficiency during lower-demand weekend periods. Fixed-route service to key destinations, including Canterbury Park, Marshall Road Transit Station, and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, will continue through enhancements to the 4FUN route.
Enhanced 4FUN Route Combines Routes 4FUN and 495
One of the most significant updates involves consolidating Routes 4FUN and 495. Route 495 will be discontinued, and its service will be integrated into an expanded 4FUN route.
The enhanced 4FUN route will provide connections to:
Mystic Lake Casino
Canterbury Park
Twin Cities Premium Outlets
Mall of America
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport Terminal 1
Service will operate hourly from 3:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., seven days a week, with consistent weekday and weekend schedules. The fare will remain at $2 (local fare).
Additional highlights include:
Westbound morning trips and eastbound afternoon trips serving Mystic Lake Casino
All-day service expansion to downtown Savage
Seasonal service to Valleyfair resuming when the park opens in May
Route 440 Expands to the Mall of America and the Zoo
Route 440 will see expanded service, including:
Seven-day operation
Extension to the Mall of America
Additional weekday and weekend trips to the Minnesota Zoo
Routing adjustments will shift service from Pennock Avenue, 147th Street, 140th Street, and Johnny Cake Ridge Road to Galaxie Avenue to improve travel speeds. Riders currently using Pennock Avenue stops may use Route 442 as an alternative.
Route 442 Adjustments
Route 442 will discontinue service between the Apple Valley Transit Station and the Mall of America. Alternative service options remain available via Route 440 and the METRO Red Line.
Route 442 will:
Continue serving Pennock Avenue stops
Remove stops on Garden View Drive and Whitney Drive
Operate hourly on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Operate weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Eastbound trips will end at the Apple Valley Transit Station southbound platform, while westbound trips will begin at the northbound platform.
Route 445 Changes in Eagan
Route 445 will be modified to improve access to activities and events at Eagan’s Central Park.
New stops will be added at:
Central Parkway and Towerview Road
Central Parkway and Pilot Knob Road
Stops at Yankee Doodle Road and Washington Drive, and Yankee Doodle Road and Central Parkway, will be removed.
Route 475 Travel Time Improvements
Midday Route 475 trips will no longer serve the Minnesota Zoo, reducing overall travel times. Southbound trips after 7 p.m. will add downtown Minneapolis stops to provide additional late-night options for workers and residents.
Trip times will be adjusted in both directions.
Route 490 Adds Park & Ride Stop
Route 490 will add a stop at Eagle Creek Park & Ride in Shakopee, creating another daily Park & Ride option and additional regional connections via Route 499.
Northbound trips will depart up to 10 minutes earlier, affecting riders traveling from downtown Prior Lake.
Designed to Reflect Travel Trends
MVTA officials say the Spring 2026 updates are designed to ensure transit resources are used efficiently while preserving key connections across the south metro.
Riders are encouraged to review updated schedules and route maps ahead of the March 16 implementation date.
For additional information, visit mvta.com or contact MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.
Written by: Will Wight
Photos provided by: MVTA
