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]
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 following decades, Arrowhead Transit expanded its services to include the general public.
In 1979–1986, Arrowhead Transit participated in the formation of the National Association for Transportation Alternatives, which later became the Community Transportation Association of America.[2]
In 1989, the agency established a regional headquarters in Gilbert, Minnesota. A facility in Grand Rapids was added in 1994.[3]
In 2008, Arrowhead Transit launched the "Rural Rides" program to support transportation access for low-income workers. A new facility was also opened in International Falls.[4]
In 2011, Arrowhead Transit began service in Pine County, its eighth county.[5]
In 2013, Arrowhead Transit introduced a single toll-free dispatch number to consolidate scheduling services across all counties.[6]
In 2016, the agency added a scheduled Tuesday route between Grand Marais and Duluth, expanding service options along the North Shore.[7]
In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Transportation awarded approximately $2.4 million to Arrowhead Transit to support Dial-A-Ride service expansion in Hermantown, Cook, and International Falls.[8]
In 2020, Arrowhead Transit participated in the Federal Transit Administration’s Integrated Mobility Innovation program, piloting an on-demand volunteer driver service in the Duluth and Hermantown areas.[9]
In 2021, the agency began operating in Isanti and Chisago counties, taking over services previously managed by Heartland Express.[10]
In May 2022, Arrowhead Transit began coordinating with the goMARTI autonomous shuttle pilot in Grand Rapids to maintain integration with existing bus routes.[11]
In early 2023, Arrowhead Transit reported more than 27,000 rides provided in International Falls and over 2 million miles driven system-wide.[12]
In 2024, Arrowhead Transit assumed transit operations in Hibbing, Minnesota following the closure of Hibbing Area Transit. The transition included expanded hours, the addition of Sunday service, and new intercity routes.[13][14]
In May 2025, Arrowhead Transit added a scheduled route known as the “Boundary Waters Loop,” linking Ely and Virginia.[15]
In May 2025, the agency supported local emergency planning efforts during the Jenkins Creek Wildfire in northern St. Louis County.[16]
In June 2025, Arrowhead Transit launched a comprehensive redesign of public transit services in Chisago and Isanti counties.[17]
Services
Arrowhead Transit provides a variety of public transportation services tailored to rural and small urban areas in northeastern Minnesota:
Dial‑A‑Ride
Dial‑A‑Ride is a reservation-based, curb-to-curb service. Riders must call at least one hour in advance to schedule a trip. Service is offered within the limits of the following cities:[18]
Fares are $3.00 per one-way trip, with monthly passes and ticket books available.[19]
Fixed Routes
Fixed-route services operate in municipal areas such as Hibbing, Virginia, and Grand Rapids, based on scheduled stops and hours.[20]
Commuter and inter‑county routes
These routes connect towns across counties, typically with $5 one-way fares and season passes available.[21][22] Notable routes include:
Braham Express – Morning and afternoon weekday service linking Cambridge, North Branch, and Braham.[23]
Chisago Lakes Commuter – Weekday loop between Center City, Lindstrom, Chisago City, Wyoming, and North Branch.[24]
North Shore Run – Daily regional service between Grand Marais and Duluth.[25]
Boundary Waters Loop – Introduced in June 2025, this weekly loop travels through Gilbert, Virginia, Embarrass, Babbitt, Ely, and Tower.[26]
Volunteer Driver Program
This service supports non-emergency transportation (e.g., medical visits), staffed by volunteer drivers reimbursed at federal mileage rates. It operates in multiple areas, including Cambridge, Duluth, Hermantown, Grand Marais, Hibbing, and Virginia.[27]
Partnership with Minnesota North College
Beginning January 2025, this partnership includes scheduled bus and Dial‑A‑Ride access to all six college campuses. It offers integrated student fare tracking and connects campuses with towns like Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Virginia.[28][29]
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.[30]
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
On board the Arrowhead Transit bus
Fleet
As of 2023, Arrowhead Transit operates a fleet of 258 revenue vehicles, with a maximum of 101 vehicles in daily service.[32] The fleet is designed to accommodate rural and small urban operations, with an emphasis on accessibility and flexibility. Vehicle types include:
Ford E450 ADA-accessible minibuses
Blue Bird conventional-style buses
Chevrolet cutaway vans
Dodge Grand Caravans used primarily for demand-response service
All vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts or ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Facilities
Arrowhead Transit operates multiple transit garages, vehicle storage sites, and maintenance facilities across its 10-county service area. These locations support routine maintenance, fueling, and dispatch operations. Facility locations include:
Aitkin – garage and storage
Carlton – shared space for vehicle housing
Cook County (Grand Marais) – garage and staging area
Floodwood – garage serving western St. Louis County
Grand Rapids – maintenance and operations center
Hermantown – garage and vehicle prep facility
Hibbing – maintenance and regional operations site (added in 2024)
International Falls – full-service garage for northern service area
North Branch – operations and maintenance site for Chisago County
Pine City – maintenance and driver staging
Sandstone – shared facility supporting Pine County service
Cambridge – operations hub for Isanti County
Gilbert – administrative headquarters and primary maintenance center
These facilities are distributed geographically to reduce deadhead mileage and improve service reliability in rural regions.[33][34]
Funding
Arrowhead Transit reported total operating expenses of $11,731,066 in 2023, funded through a mix of federal grants, state aid, and local contributions.[35]
Operating revenue sources
According to the National Transit Database, the agency’s operating funding in 2023 was allocated as follows:
In 2023, capital funding totaled $1,463,130, consisting of $1,227,859 in federal capital grants and $235,271 in state funding.[37]
Grants and special programs
In 2019, Arrowhead Transit (operated by AEOA) received $952,807 from the Federal Transit Administration under the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program. The grant funded the development of an on-demand, first-/last-mile coordination platform utilizing volunteer drivers and technology pilot tools.[38][39]
State and federal programs supporting operations
Like other rural systems in Minnesota, Arrowhead Transit participates in the FTA Section 5311 Rural Area Formula Program and receives matching funds through the Minnesota Public Transit Participation Program administered by MnDOT.[40][41]
Public engagement
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.[42]
RideSmart 2025
RideSmart 2025 is a rural public transit redesign led by Arrowhead Transit, scheduled to take effect on June 2, 2025, in Chisago and Isanti counties in Minnesota. The project involves significant changes to route structure, service boundaries, schedules, and rider materials. It is intended to address service efficiency, coverage gaps, and rider usability in these counties.
The redesign includes:
Introduction or modification of at least 12 routes, serving both urban and rural areas
Updated printed maps and schedules tailored for rural riders
Addition of weekend service options in certain areas
Integration with the Transit Link (Metro Transit) system for cross-county connectivity
The planning process included public surveys, meetings, and input from local stakeholders such as healthcare providers, schools, employers, and municipal officials.[43][44][45]
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