Successful Partnerships and Arrowhead Transit’s Continued Growth
At Arrowhead Transit, we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, evolve, and form meaningful partnerships that enhance the services we offer to our communities. As we reflect on the past year, we are excited to highlight the strong relationships we’ve built with local organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies. These partnerships have helped us improve access to public transit across Northeastern Minnesota, driving forward our mission to provide reliable, affordable transportation options for everyone.
Growing Stronger Together: Key Partnerships in 2024
Over the past year, Arrowhead Transit has had the privilege of working closely with a range of community partners. From helping to provide better access to education and healthcare to improving our environmental impact, these collaborations have been instrumental in our success.
1. Partnership with Local Chambers of Commerce Our collaboration with local Chambers of Commerce has been integral in expanding access to public transit for both residents and visitors. By working alongside the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce and other key partners, we’ve increased awareness of Arrowhead Transit services and provided essential transportation to local events, fostering economic growth in the communities we serve. The Hibbing Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in our City of Hibbing Service redesign. North 65 Chamber of Commerce was very helpful in helping us further engrain ourselves into the lives of Chisago and Isanti counties.
2. Enhancing Accessibility with Employers Arrowhead Transit is proud to work with major local employers, including Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, and Heleine Solar. These partnerships ensure employees have access to affordable public transportation, reducing commuting challenges and supporting a more sustainable workforce. As these employers continue to grow, Arrowhead Transit remains committed to enhancing the public transportation options available to their teams.
3. Connecting Students and Educational Institutions Arrowhead Transit continues to collaborate with educational institutions such as Minnesota North Community College campuses, providing students with affordable transportation options to and from classes. These partnerships allow students to focus on their education while having one less thing to worry about—how to get to school. As part of our efforts, we have offered free rides to students within specific service areas, ensuring that transportation is not a barrier to education.
4. Public Transit for a Sustainable Future We’ve also been working to improve access to local events like the Festival of Trees in Virginia, while focusing on sustainability initiatives. By promoting the use of public transportation to and from these events, we’ve helped reduce the environmental impact of single-vehicle travel, supporting the ongoing efforts of community sustainability.
Navigating Changes: Fare Changes
As we celebrate these successes, it’s also important to note that, effective January 2025, Arrowhead Transit will implement changes to our fare structure. We understand that fare increases are never easy, but we want to assure our riders that this decision was made to enhance the quality and sustainability of our services. The changes will help us continue improving our fleet, invest in new technology, and offer more convenient options for all of our riders.
We recognize the concerns some may have regarding these changes, and we want to emphasize that this adjustment will allow Arrowhead Transit to maintain and expand services that are vital to the communities we serve. Through the partnerships we’ve built over the past year, we’re confident that the path forward will bring even more opportunities for all of us to grow and thrive together.
Looking Ahead
Arrowhead Transit is excited to continue working alongside our valued partners as we move into 2025. We’re committed to providing accessible and reliable transportation services for our communities, and we are grateful for the partnerships that have made this possible. As we move into the new year, we remain focused on expanding our impact, improving our services, and ensuring that everyone in our region has the opportunity to experience the benefits of reliable public transit.
We look forward to the continued support and collaboration from our partners, our riders, and the communities we serve. Together, we can achieve great things and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all of us. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
For more information about fare changes or to stay updated on our services, visit Arrowhead Transit’s website.