Is it safe to ride the bus... (Minneapolis: neighbourhoods, mall)

[Isabel_009]

Specifically I'm wondering about traveling between Uptown and the airport or Mall of America. The route would be 21 east to Midtown station and then jump on the light rail.

[Slig]

My wife takes that bus several times a week and has never had any issues.

[MrMinneapolis]

if ur goin to the mall or airport just take the lightrail

[Isabel_009]

Right, but you have to catch a bus to the lightrail... I'm just wondering about the safest route from Uptown.

Originally Posted by MrMinneapolis

if ur goin to the mall or airport just take the lightrail

[Isabel_009]

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Slig

My wife takes that bus several times a week and has never had any issues.

[silverjet]

The 21 is fine, I take that on a regular basis. It just gets really crowded. You also wouldn't have to worry about frequency being that you're only going from Uptown to the Lake St lightrail station.

Alternatively, you can also take the 6 or 17 bus to downtown Minneapolis and catch the light rail there as well.

[uptown_urbanist]

Yes, it's safe; but, like silverjet says, it can get crowded sometimes, and can feel like it takes forever. Check the schedules, but you may have better luck taking the 23 to the 38th Street Station. I don't ride that route very often, but have done it to get to/from the airport from Uptown. It seems to go faster, and if you're carrying bags (or suitcases) you should have more space to spread out. The only downside of the 23 is that it doesnt' come as often as the 21; I think maybe every 20 minutes during the day. (but it times very nicely with the train). It starts at the Uptown Transit Center then heads over to 38th and across.

[Isabel_009]

The 23 to 38th station would also be a shorter bus ride and then more time on the light rail, which is fine by me. What neighbourhoods does the 23 go through? I assume it's comparably safe to ride as the 21 or better?

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

Yes, it's safe; but, like silverjet says, it can get crowded sometimes, and can feel like it takes forever. Check the schedules, but you may have better luck taking the 23 to the 38th Street Station. I don't ride that route very often, but have done it to get to/from the airport from Uptown. It seems to go faster, and if you're carrying bags (or suitcases) you should have more space to spread out. The only downside of the 23 is that it doesnt' come as often as the 21; I think maybe every 20 minutes during the day. (but it times very nicely with the train). It starts at the Uptown Transit Center then heads over to 38th and across.

[Ben Around]

If you are traveling on weekday afternoons or mornings, the 53 is a limited stop bus on Lake St. that's a good alternative to the 21. It travels the same route (until Snelling in St Paul) but stops only every 1/2 mile or so. It would be a much faster ride to the LRT from Uptown.

[silverjet]

The 23 is a good idea -- I forgot about that route. It just goes on 38th street, which is perfectly fine. It never seems to be particularly full, at least not the times that I have rode it. I also agree with the idea of taking the 53 if you can, during the weekday.

Honestly, you really don't need to worry about safety on the vast majority of bus routes. If you ever do feel uncomfortable when riding the bus, just sit near the driver if possible.