Arrowhead Transit
| Arrowhead Transit | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Arrowhead Transit bus in Virginia, Minnesota | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Northeastern Minnesota |
| Daily ridership | 1,200 |
| Annual ridership | 500,832 (2024) |
| Headquarters | Gilbert, Minnesota |
| Website | arrowheadtransit.com |
Arrowhead Transit is a public transportation system serving ten counties in northeastern Minnesota. Established in 1974, the system is operated by the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), a nonprofit community action agency. Services include fixed-route buses, Dial-A-Ride, inter-county commuter routes, and a volunteer driver program.[1]
History
[edit]Arrowhead Transit was launched in 1974 to provide transportation for older adults in rural communities. AEOA, its parent organization, was formed in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act. In the decades that followed, Arrowhead Transit expanded to offer service to the general public.
In 2013, Arrowhead Transit implemented a single toll-free dispatch number across all counties to improve scheduling efficiency.[2]
In 2016, the agency introduced a guaranteed Tuesday route from Grand Marais to Duluth, ensuring consistent service along Minnesota’s North Shore.[3]
In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Transportation awarded nearly $2.4 million to Arrowhead Transit to support expansion of Dial-A-Ride services in communities such as Hermantown, Cook, and International Falls.[4]
In 2021, the agency began providing service in Isanti and Chisago counties, taking over operations from Heartland Express.[5]
In 2024, Arrowhead Transit assumed transit operations in Hibbing, Minnesota, after the city discontinued Hibbing Area Transit. The change included expanded hours, Sunday service, and additional regional connections.[6][7]
Services
[edit]Arrowhead Transit operates a combination of public transportation services:
- Dial-A-Ride: Curb-to-curb transportation available by advance reservation in most service areas.
- Fixed Routes: Scheduled bus routes in larger cities, including Hibbing, Virginia, and Grand Rapids.
- Commuter and Inter-county Routes: Regional routes connecting multiple rural communities across counties.
- Volunteer Driver Program: Non-emergency medical transportation using volunteer drivers and private vehicles.
In 2025, the agency launched a partnership with Minnesota North College to expand transportation access for students. This included scheduled stops at six college campuses and a dedicated student fare structure.[8][9]
Service Area
[edit]Arrowhead Transit serves the following counties:
- Aitkin
- Carlton
- Chisago
- Cook
- Isanti
- Itasca
- Koochiching
- Lake
- Pine
- St. Louis
The service area covers over 20,500 square miles, making it among the largest rural public transit coverage areas in the United States by geography.[10]
Annual Ridership and Mileage
[edit]Ridership
[edit]Arrowhead Transit reports unlinked passenger trips (UPT) to the Federal Transit Administration annually:[11]
| Year | Annual Ridership (UPT) |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 631,971 |
| 2015 | 682,740 |
| 2016 | 609,964 |
| 2017 | 608,459 |
| 2018 | 686,152 |
| 2019 | 722,704 |
| 2020 | 543,467 |
| 2021 | 351,286 |
| 2022 | 474,012 |
| 2023 | 488,226 |
| 2024 | 500,832 |
Vehicle Revenue Miles
[edit]Vehicle revenue miles (VRM) data reported to the FTA:
| Year | Annual Vehicle Revenue Miles |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2,365,336 |
| 2015 | 2,287,681 |
| 2016 | 2,218,173 |
| 2017 | 2,626,397 |
| 2018 | 2,609,514 |
| 2019 | 2,664,196 |
| 2020 | 2,035,825 |
| 2021 | 2,005,239 |
| 2022 | 2,364,604 |
| 2023 | 2,295,161 |
| 2024 | 2,568,057 |
Fleet and Facilities
[edit]As of 2023, Arrowhead Transit operates a fleet of 258 revenue vehicles, with 101 vehicles in maximum daily service. The fleet consists of ADA-accessible Ford E450 minibuses, Blue Bird buses, Chevrolet cutaways, and Dodge Grand Caravans.[11]
The agency maintains transit garages and maintenance facilities in multiple locations, including Aitkin, Carlton, Cook County, Hermantown, Floodwood, International Falls, North Branch, Pine City, Sandstone, and Cambridge.[10]
Funding
[edit]Arrowhead Transit reported $11.7 million in operating expenses in 2023. Funding sources included federal grants, state allocations, and local contributions.
In 2019, the agency was awarded $952,807 by the Federal Transit Administration under the Integrated Mobility Innovation program. The funding supported efforts to improve coordination of rural services through digital tools.[12]
Public Engagement
[edit]Arrowhead Transit hosts quarterly Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings in each of the ten counties it serves. These meetings are open to the public and offer feedback opportunities for riders, local officials, and stakeholders. The agency also participates in planning efforts in collaboration with the Arrowhead Regional Transportation Coordinating Council.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Help Me Connect – Arrowhead Transit
- ^ Duluth News Tribune, March 19, 2013
- ^ Duluth News Tribune, February 6, 2016
- ^ Duluth News Tribune, March 30, 2017
- ^ Isanti-Chisago County Star, February 26, 2021
- ^ Mesabi Tribune, August 2, 2024
- ^ FOX21 News, July 18, 2024
- ^ Mass Transit, January 22, 2025
- ^ Minnesota North College
- ^ a b CPTDB Wiki
- ^ a b National Transit Database, 2023
- ^ FTA IMI Projects, 2019
- ^ Arrowhead RTCC