Minibus transit services get people moving
What are Newtrax and Metro micro buses?
Over the past year, two new minibus services—Newtrax and Metro micro—came to Roseville to transport people to appointments, for shopping, or to meet up with friends.
If you’ve been wondering where these minibuses go and how to ride, we’ve got you covered. Below is a brief synopsis on each bus service.
Newtrax
Newtrax is a nonprofit organization that provides daily transportation service from home to work for adults with disabilities in the Northeast Metro. Newtrax Loops, a separate transit option, is a transit service for seniors that follows a regularly scheduled route with specific stops.
Nextrax started the Roseville Loop in May 2025. The Newtrax Roseville loop runs on Tuesdays picking people up from one of twenty-one Roseville senior living facilities and dropping off at retail outlets such as Cub Foods, HarMar Mall, Rosedale Center, Walgreens, CVS, and others. You inform the driver of your destination when you board the bus.
When you reach your destination, you have approximately one hour at that stop. Before you exit the bus at your destination, the driver will tell you what time the bus will return. If you wish to go to a destination that is not listed, but is along the bus route, the driver will attempt to accommodate.
How much does it cost to ride?
The fare for Newtrax loops is a pay-what-you-can donation. The average donation is approximately $2.25 per rider, according to a letter from Scott Olson, Newtrax Community Transportation Coordinator, to the Roseville city council in December 2025. Newtrax is funded by the senior living facilities, grants, and donations.
"We feel that a regular weekly service such as this helps to alleviate some concerns of isolation and provide a means of maintaining independence for seniors in our area while filling potential transportation gaps," Olson wrote.
The city council considered a funding request for $7,000 from Newtrax at the Dec. 10, 2025 city council meeting. Given other budget pressures, the city council declined this request for the 2026 budget but left the door open for a future budget year.
At the time, Olson said on average 28 seniors were riding Newtrax on weekly basis.
For more information on Newtrax services for seniors, visit the Newtrax website:
Metro Micro
Metro micro began service in Roseville in January 2025. This service of Metro Transit allows people to book a ride from anywhere in the service area and get dropped off at a destination anywhere in the same service area. It is similar to Lyft or Uber, but limited to a specific service area. This service can be used for visiting family and friends, shopping, medical appointments, etc.
Metro micro is a shared ride service, meaning you will share a ride with others, and other customers will be picked up or dropped off during your trip. Metro micro minibuses are ADA-accessible and provide a fast, safe, and convenient ride.
The Roseville route is bounded roughly by County Road B, Old Highway 8, County Road F, and Victoria Street. The route includes Roseville, Arden Hills, and Shoreview. Popular destinations include Roseville High School, Bethel University, the Shoreview Community Center, and Rosedale Mall. At the Rosedale Transit Center, riders can transfer to the METRO A Line and other routes.
How much does it cost to ride?
Currently, it costs $2.50 for riders ages 13-64 during non-rush hours, and $3.25 during rush hour. Reduced fares are available for seniors, youth, people with disabilities, and Medicare holders.
Metro Transit is currently proposing changes to fares for various services, including Metro micro which would increase to four dollars per ride at all times.
"Only TAP customers would qualify for reduced fares on Metro micro. Customers with limited mobility, youth, seniors (65+) and Medicare card holders would NOT be eligible for reduced fares on Metro micro," according to Metro Transit.
Metro Transit is seeking input on the proposed fare changes through May 29. Learn more and share your thoughts online here.
Please refer to this FAQ for more information about the Metro micro or call 651-602-1170 for more information.
ICYMI
Naomi Krueger
