Minnesota State Fair: Take Pronto Bus From Eagan, Burnsville

EAGAN, MN — This year, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) has more round-trip service to the Minnesota State Fair Aug. 24 through Sept. 4. Special express routes will run daily during the fair from Eagan Transit Station and Burnsville Transit Station and express service from Marschall Road Transit Station in Shakopee will run on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day.

MVTA, which is the public transportation agency for seven suburbs in Dakota County and Scott County, began providing special service to the State Fair in 1996. That year, 5,718 passengers traveled to the fair by bus, according to a news releas.e

In recent years, the number of bus riders going to the fair has blossomed and a record 77,729 MVTA passengers attended the fair in 2016. Of those, 44,923 traveled to the fair from Burnsville Transit Station; 24,003 left from Eagan Transit Station; and 8,803 boarded weekend and Labor Day buses in Shakopee.

MVTA encourages State Fair-goers to use the Eagan Transit Station, located at 3470 Pilot Knob Road, where there is ample parking capacity of 750 parking spaces.

The Minnesota State Fair is typically one of the highest ridership times of the year for MVTA, which transported 2.9 million passengers in 2016.

Related: Minnesota State Fair: Bargains, Ways To Save, Discounts

“Using public transportation is a convenient way to get to the fair,” said MVTA Executive Director Luther Wynder in a statement. “My first ride on an MVTA bus was going to the State Fair and it was a great experience. I hope to see many more riders join me this year. Whether you’re a first-time transit rider or a long-time customer, we encourage residents to ride the bus for a convenient trip and to minimize congestion near the fairgrounds.”

Express Sites to fair

• Eagan: Eagan Transit Station, Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot Knob Road at I-35E. Hourly service on weekdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 30-minute service from 8 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day.
• Burnsville: Burnsville Transit Station, Hwy. 13 and Nicollet Ave. Hourly service weekdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 30-minute service on weekends and Labor Day.
• Shakopee: Marschall Road Transit Station, 1615 Weston Ct. Hourly service from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day.

Return service from the fair is from noon to midnight for all sites.

Note: Go-To Cards, SuperSaver Cards, College Passes and MetroPasses are not accepted for the State Fair Express service.

Discount tickets are currently available for purchase online.

Image via Minnesota State Fair (The 2017 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 24-Labor Day, Sept. 4.)