LeRoy City Lines to test new stops at northwest Rochester locations

LeRoy - LeRoy City Lines, LeRoy’s city-owned commuter and charter bus service will experiment with two new stops in Rochester. From Feb. 1 through March 31, the early morning bus and early afternoon bus will stop at the Mayo Support Center and Northwest Clinic on 41st Street in addition to the traditional stops at Saint Marys Hospital and in downtown Rochester.

LeRoy Economic Development Authority (EDA) president Craig Jacobson and member Axel Gumbel, who run the day-to-day bus operations, began discussions a possible commuter service expansion after they learned that Mayo moved several hundred workers from downtown to offices in northwest Rochester. 

“As Mayo continues to grow its presence in that part of the city, so may the demand for a convenient commute option,” Jacobson says.

In addition, Jacobson and Gumbel sent out an email survey to existing riders to gauge interest in the additional stops. The majority of respondents was supportive of the expansion. Those with hesitations mentioned they would be okay with the new stops, so long that it doesn’t extend their trip to the current locations. 

 

Trial schedule

Taking this feedback into consideration, for the 60-day trial, the early morning route will operate according to the following schedule: 

• Chester: 5:03 a.m. (unchanged)

• LeRoy: 5:17 a.m. (unchanged)

• Downtown Roch.: 6:08 a.m.

• Saint Marys Hospital: 6:12 a.m.

• Northwest Clinic: 6:21 a.m.

• Support Center: 6:25 a.m.

The early afternoon route will operate as follows:

• Northwest Clinic: 3:45 p.m.

• Support Center: 3:50 p.m.

• Saint Marys: 4:05 p.m. (unchanged)

• Downtown Roch.: 4:12 p.m. (unchanged)

• Grand Meadow: 4:45 p.m. (unchanged)

• LeRoy: 5:05 p.m. (unchanged)

• Chester: 5:15 p.m. (unchanged)

The late morning and late afternoon route will continue to run on its current schedule.

Ticket prices will not change as part of this change. Anyone can purchase a one-way fare for $11. Mayo employees can buy a subsidized 10-ride punch pass for $52 or a monthly pass for $148. Non-Mayo employees can purchase a 10-ride pass for $92 or a monthly pass for $228.

 The EDA will closely monitor passenger numbers during the trial in order to make a decision on whether the commuter service expansion to northwest Rochester is permanently sustainable and whether the late routes should also incorporate the additional stops.

 

More information

More information about LeRoy City Lines services can be found at www.LeRoyCityLines.com or on the “LeRoy, MN City Lines” Facebook site. Email questions to info@leroycitylines.com or call 612-701-0381.