MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Metro Transit announced they will be canceling light rail transit for the remainder of Thursday. There will not be a replacement bus service.
Early Thursday morning, Metro Transit said they would be stopping Blue Line trains, but as the afternoon continued, they extended the cancelation to include the Green Line.
Metro Transit said they made the decision in anticipation of protests scheduled throughout the city Thursday evening.
Out of concern for the safety of riders and employees and in anticipation of scheduled demonstrations, there will be no light rail service for the remainder of Thursday, May 28 (airport shuttle will continue). An update will be posted on social media channels by 10 p.m.
— Metro Transit (@MetroTransitMN) May 28, 2020
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The announcement came after a chaotic Wednesday night, as protestors clashed with police over the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in police custody Monday night. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd; as the night wore on, protesters lit fires and looted the businesses near the intersection of Lake Street and Hiawatha Ave.
The power also went out on Hiawatha Avenue, along the tracks of the Metro Blue Line.
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Though light rail transit has been canceled, the Blue Line airport shuttle between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 will continue to run. Bus routes 5, 7, and 21 have also changed routes and may be delayed.
To keep up to date on the detours, click here.
Source: CBS Minnesota