Beginning Monday, March 16, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) will implement its spring 2026 service changes, introducing a series of routing and schedule updates designed to better align service with current travel patterns across the south metro.
The changes reflect months of detailed ridership analysis, public input, and collaboration with local partners to ensure transit resources are used efficiently while maintaining strong connections to major employment centers, schools and regional destinations.
Weekend Service Changes in Shakopee and Prior Lake
Weekend service on Routes 497 and 499 will transition to MVTA Connect, the agency’s on-demand transit service, in Shakopee and Prior Lake. Riders can book trips within a designated service zone using the RideMVTA app, providing flexible, curb-to-curb transportation.
Fixed-route access to key destinations, including Canterbury Park, Marschall Road Transit Station and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, will continue through an enhanced 4FUN Route.
Enhanced 4FUN Route
Routes 4FUN and 495 will be combined, and Route 495 will be discontinued to streamline service and reduce duplication. The enhanced 4FUN Route will serve Mystic Lake Casino, Canterbury Park, Twin Cities Premium Outlets, the Mall of America and 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. Fares will be $2 (local fare). Westbound morning trips and eastbound afternoon trips will serve Mystic Lake Casino. Service to Valleyfair will resume when the park opens for the season in May. The enhanced route will also expand all-day service to downtown Savage.
Route 440 Enhancements
Route 440 will expand to seven-day service and extend to the Mall of America, while also adding additional trips to the Minnesota Zoo on weekdays and weekends.
Routing adjustments will improve trip speed by shifting service from Pennock Avenue, 147th Street, 140th Street, and Johnny Cake Ridge Road to Galaxie Avenue. Riders currently using Pennock Avenue stops may use Route 442 as an alternative.
Route 442 Adjustments
Service on Route 442 between Apple Valley Transit Station and Mall of America will be discontinued. Alternative service remains available via Route 440 and the METRO Red Line.
Route 442 will continue to serve Pennock Avenue stops, while stops on Garden View Drive and Whitney Drive will be removed. Weekday service will operate hourly from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with weekend service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastbound trips will end at the Apple Valley Transit Station southbound platform, and westbound trips will begin at the northbound platform.
Route 445 Improvements
Route 445 will be adjusted to improve access to events and activities at Eagan’s Central Park. New stops will be added at Central Parkway and Towerview Road and at Central Parkway and Pilot Knob Road. Stops at Yankee Doodle Road and Washington Drive and at Yankee Doodle Road and Central Parkway will be removed.
Route 475 Updates
Midday Route 475 trips will no longer serve the Minnesota Zoo, reducing travel times. Southbound trips after 7 p.m. will add stops in downtown Minneapolis to provide additional late-night options for workers and residents. Trip times will be adjusted in both directions.
Route 490 Addition
Route 490 will add a stop at Eagle Creek Park & Ride in Shakopee, providing riders with an additional daily Park & Ride option and regional connections via Route 499. Northbound trips will depart up to 10 minutes earlier, affecting riders traveling from downtown Prior Lake.
MVTA is the public transit provider for seven cities in Dakota County and Scott County.
For additional details about MVTA’s March 16 service changes, visit mvta.com or contact MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.
