Arrowhead Transit Celebrates Success at MPTA Annual Conference
Mankato, MN – October 14, 2024 – Arrowhead Transit had a successful first day at the Minnesota Public Transit Association (MPTA) annual conference, which marks its 42nd year and is being held at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato.
At the awards ceremony, Arrowhead Transit was recognized for its significant contributions to the state of Minnesota. MPTA President Ryan Daniel, CEO of St. Cloud Metro Bus, highlighted the organization’s recent achievements, including its national podcast appearance, the Hibbing expansion project, and its resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recognition of these accomplishments, Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit, received the prestigious Transit Professional of the Year 2024 award.
Additionally, Morgan Lee, a driver from Virginia, MN, was honored with the Minnesota Bus Operator of the Year award. This recognition showcases the dedication and hard work of both Brandon and Morgan, reflecting the commitment to excellence at Arrowhead Transit. Morgan also won MN Drivers Choice Award at the MPTA Bus Roadeo in 2024.
As Arrowhead Transit celebrates the remaining weeks of its 50th anniversary year, the organization extends its gratitude to the communities it serves and its committed staff. “It’s a partnership that continues to grow and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of our region,” stated Nurmi.
Looking ahead to 2025, Arrowhead Transit is excited about upcoming projects that include a smoother customer-facing point-of-sale system, community engagement events, and improved call wait times. “We look forward to expanding to current community engagement efforts of Arrowhead Transit through Travel Bus Training, lunch and learns, and workshops; in order to make rural public transit more accessible in Minnesota.” Said Dominick Olivanti, Marketing and Public Relations.
For more information, or to share any questions, comments, or feedback, please contact the Arrowhead Transit Executive Team at 1-800-862-0175 or arrowheadtransit.com/contact
About Arrowhead Transit
Arrowhead Transit, established in 1974, acts as the primary provider of public transportation in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. As the largest rural public transportation system in the state, we are committed to delivering reliable services to residents across 10 counties in Northeastern Minnesota: Aitkin, Itasca, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Carlton, Pine, Chisago, and Isanti.
Our services cater to the diverse needs of our travelers, commuters, and community members. From scheduled services to our Volunteer Driver Program, we ensure convenient and accessible public transportation options for all. Our drivers undergo comprehensive training, covering defensive driving techniques.
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 is operated by Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
