Plymouth Metrolink bus crashes in downtown Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Several people were injured when a Plymouth Metrolink bus collided with several other vehicles near 12th Street and Harmon Place in downtown Minneapolis Tuesday morning.

At 8:24 a.m., the Plymouth Metrolink bus was involved in a crash with another vehicle, according to Minneapolis police spokesperson Sgt. Catherine Michael. The bus swerved and also struck a parked U.S. Postal Service minivan with a U.S. Postal Service worker inside.

Seven people involved the crash, including some passengers from the bus, were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, according to the City of Plymouth.

“This is a very rare occasion for us,” said Luke Fischer, administrative services director with the City of Plymouth. “The Plymouth Metrolink moves about a half-million riders every year, and I can’t think in recent memory of any incident like this happening.”

Fischer said that all injuries were non-life threatening and that the investigation is now in the hands of metro transit. Fischer said he doesn’t know the status of the driver.

Eight hours later, Plymouth Metrolink hosted its quarterly listening session as scheduled, outside of the Station 73 Park and Ride. During the session, representatives presented the new bus they will bring into the Metrolink system and heard rider feedback. Plymouth Metrolink will add 11 busses to its fleet over the next year.

The City of Plymouth will also conduct an independent investigation of the crash as their concerns remain with those affected.

“Our concern is with them as they recover […] but we’re also concerned about our riders who have been on the bus, were part of the accident and maybe weren’t injured,” Fischer said. “We want them to know we’re committed to providing safe and reliable service every time they hop on the Plymouth Metrolink."