If commuter rail was built it could have connected with the proposed Northern Lights Express in Hinckley and provide a more direct link between Saint Paul and Duluth.

In September 2009, the Metropolitan Council awarded $3.4 million to extend the existing park and ride facilities at Maplewood Mall.

The Rush Line Task Force and the Metropolitan Council are looking for access to county and federal funds to cover capital costs.

[10] A preliminary study was released in September 2015 by the Rush Line Task Force narrowing down the options to 4 types of vehicles and routes that will be considered for the project.

[11] The options include: A second phase of the study will be completed during Winter 2015 and Spring 2016 timeframe, according to page 5 of the Tier 1 Evaluation Results report.

The bus rapid transit project will travel the 14-miles from Saint Paul Union Depot to downtown White Bear Lake on 85-90% dedicated guideway.

A connector route would have minimal infrastructure improvements but still respond to the project's goals of connecting the northeast metropolitan area with the METRO system.

[22] The Purple Line BRT Corridor Management Committee unanimously rejected the locally preferred alternative to downtown White Bear Lake in June 2022.

The route will still travel to Maplewood Mall, but the end point was still to be determined and could be Century College, the TCO Sports Garden, or the I-35E & County Road E park-and-ride lot.