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.

History

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 2011, Arrowhead Transit brings public transit to Pine County and expands into their 8th county.

In 2013, Arrowhead Transit implemented a single toll-free dispatch number across all counties to improve scheduling efficiency.

In 2016, the agency introduced a guaranteed Tuesday route from Grand Marais to Duluth, ensuring consistent service along Minnesota’s North Shore.

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.

In 2021, the agency began providing service in Isanti and Chisago counties, taking over operations from Heartland Express.

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.

In 2025, Arrowhead Transit prepared for the possibility of large-scale emergency evacuations as the Jenkins Creek Wildfire posed a threat to communities in North St. Louis County.

Services

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.

Service Area

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.

Annual Ridership and Mileage

Ridership

Arrowhead Transit reports unlinked passenger trips (UPT) to the Federal Transit Administration annually:

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

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

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.

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.

Funding

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.

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.

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
• Expanded Dial-A-Ride service boundaries in Cambridge and North Branch
• Standardized loop scheduling
• Updated printed maps and schedules tailored for rural riders
• Addition of weekend service options in certain areas
• Integration with the Transit Link 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.

See also

• Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency

External links

• Official website
• Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency