Northstar Commuter Rail starts shipping in working suburbanites Nov. 16

Photo courtesy of Northstar

​ The day has finally come: People in some of the northern suburbs can jump on a train instead of in their SUV and make the commute to downtown Minneapolis for their workday.

The Northstar Commuter Rail line, which will run from Big Lake into downtown Minneapolis at Target Field, will officially start running Nov. 16.

From our experience riding trains as a form of commuting to work, we have to admit it's a whole lot nicer to sit back and read a book instead of screaming at terrible drivers trying to steer with their leg as they devour an Egg McMuffin.

The Metropolitan Council announced the start date today. Passengers can also board the line in Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and Elk River. There will also be a park-and-ride facility in St. Cloud with buses to the Big Lake station.

Passengers will pay based on the distance traveled from Minneapolis. Fares will range from $3.25 to $7. There will be five trips into downtown each weekday morning and five return trips in the afternoon.

This is the state's first commuter rail service. The Hiawatha light rail is currently being extended to the Northstar station at the Twins Stadium.