Skip to content

Arrowhead Transit | RideSmart 2025 to Improve Rural Public Transit in Minnesota

ChamberCommunityEconomicGeneral News ArticleHuman InterestPress Release

Arrowhead Transit | RideSmart 2025 to Improve Rural Public Transit in Minnesota

Cambridge, MN – Arrowhead Transit is launching RideSmart 2025, an initiative aimed at enhancing public transportation services in Chisago and Isanti counties. This initiative will focus on improving service efficiency, accessibility, and reliability, with input from the communities we serve. This project is being designed with the future of expanding transit connectivity at the forefront of the conversation, noting MNDOT project such as the Northern Lights Express connection between the Twin Cities and the Twin Ports with anticipated stops along I-35 in cities including Cambridge and Hinckley, MN.
To launch RideSmart 2025, Arrowhead Transit is hosting a Transit Advisory Committee Meeting and conducting two important community surveys:

  • Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
    Date: January 30, 2025
    Time: 10:00 AM
    Location: Isanti County Health and Human Services, 1700 E Rum River Dr. South, Cambridge, MN 55008
  • Community Survey (January 2 - March 31, 2025): Aimed at individuals who may not currently use public transit, this survey seeks to identify barriers to transit use and gather suggestions for improvements.
  • Onboard Passenger Survey (January 2 - February 2025): Available to current riders, this survey will gather feedback on their experiences and areas for service improvements.
Dominick Olivanti, Communications Manager at Arrowhead Transit, stated, “We’re committed to improving rural transit in this fast-growing region. With support from local economic development teams, we are designing routes with the future of the Rum River Region in mind.”

Key Focus Areas of RideSmart 2025:
• Route Redesign: Updating routes and schedules to better meet community needs, with an emphasis on expanding access to key destinations.
• Increased Accessibility: Expanding transit options to underserved areas, ensuring more equitable access to public transportation for all residents.
• Technology Upgrades: Integrating apps and improved payment systems for better, more convenient service.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with the community through surveys, public meetings, and partnerships to gather input on transit needs and service improvements.
 
Brandon Nurmi, Arrowhead Transit Director, added, “We’ve received great support from both the (Cambridge) City Hall and the North 65 Chamber of Commerce, who have been key in sharing our story.”

Arrowhead Transit encourages all community members to participate in the Community Survey and the Onboard Passenger Survey to help shape the future of public transportation in the region. The feedback gathered will be critical as we work to develop a transit system that aligns with the evolving needs of our community.

For more information or to participate in the community focused survey, visit https://bit.ly/3BELGJh - ( arrowheadtransit.com/ridesmart-2025/ )

About Arrowhead Transit:
Arrowhead Transit is Minnesota's largest rural public transportation provider, serving 10 counties in the northeastern part of the state. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation options that connect people to jobs, healthcare, education, and other essential services. Arrowhead Transit takes pride in its extensive coverage area, spanning 10 counties and covering a vast 20,525.74 square miles. To put it into perspective, that’s approximately seven times the size of the seven-county twin cities metro in Minnesota, making us the largest rural transportation service in the state and the second-largest in the country.
 

Arrowhead Transit | RideSmart 2025 to...