MATBUS
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| Areas Served: | Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN |
| Founded: | 1974 |
| Fleet Size: | 19 (ND) and 10 (MN) |
| Service Types: | Fixed-route, Dial-A-Ride |
| 2011 Ridership: |
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| Website: | http://www.matbus.com |
MATBUS is the fixed-route bus system providing transit service to the cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, MN.
Contents |
Overview
MATBUS operations began in 1974 when the Fargo-Moorhead Council of Governments assumed management of public transportation services in the Fargo-Moorhead region. Eventually the cities of Fargo and Moorhead took control of service in their own area.[2] This created Metro Area Transit in Fargo and Moorhead Area Transit in Moorhead. The two cities continued to work together to provide transit services. In 2011 the system was officially branded under the name it had been known by for some time, MATBUS. Along with this rebranding some routes were restructured, and fixed bus stop locations were added on existing flag-stop routes.
MATBUS is unique in that it is one of the few, if not the only, fixed-route transit system to operate service in two different states and for two different cities out of one dispatch center and garage. MATBUS operations are based in Fargo, with bus maintenance and dispatch being handled for the entire system. A lot of coordination occurs between the two cities to ensure equality and fairness in provision of services. The system still maintains some separation, with one set of buses for the MN side and one set for the Fargo side. Each city and state also covers their own costs related to route operation, capital improvements, etc.[3]
Facilities
MATBUS has one major facility for passengers, the Ground Transport Center or GTC. The GTC is located in downtown Fargo and serves as the main hub of the system as well as the transfer point between Fargo and Moorhead routes.
Fares
Current fare information can be found at matbus.com/paying
Fleet
MATBUS maintains two separate fleets with each being funded by the state and city it is operated for.
Minnesota Fleet
Active
| Fleet Number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Passenger seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 370-371 | 2003 | Orion | VII (07.503) | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | |||
| 380 | ? | Orion | VII (07.503) | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | |||
| 590-593 | 2005 | Orion | VII (07.503) | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | |||
| 1020-1022 | 2010 | NFI | D35LFR | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R |
Retired
| Fleet Number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Passenger seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9741 | 1997 | NFI | D35LF |
North Dakota Fleet
Active
| Fleet Number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Passenger seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1122-1125 | 1997 | NFI | D35LF | |||||
| 1126-1128 | 2001-2006 | Gillig | Low Floor 29' | |||||
| 1139-1141 | 2001-2006 | Gillig | Low Floor 29' | |||||
| 1176-1176 | 2007 | NFI | D35LFR | Cummins ISL | Voith | |||
| 1188 | 2010 | NFI | D35LFR | Cummins ISL | ||||
| 1195-1199 | 2011 | NFI | D35LFR | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R | |||
| 1200-1201 | 2012 | NFI | DE35LFR | Cummins ISL | Allison H 40 EP | [4] |
Retired
The following units were once operated in either the MATBUS or Metro Area Transit system:
| Fleet Number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Passenger seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1126-1133 | 1979 | Grumman Flxible | 870 (45096-6-1) | |||||
| 1132-1133 | 1992 | Gillig | Phantom | To Capital Area Transit (ND) 132 and 133. | ||||
| 1134-1143 | 1981 | GMC | RTS-04 (T7J-204) |
Paratransit
The paratransit fleet serves the entire system and consists of cutaway type vans and minibuses.
Routes
The MATBUS System is comprised of 22 routes total serving the Fargo-Moorhead area. Minnesota routes only drop off and pick up at the Ground Transport Center in Fargo to allow for transfers to and from Fargo area routes.
External Links
- Official website: http://www.matbus.com/
- Paratransit info: http://www.matbus.com/paratransit.htm
References
- ↑ 2012 Transit Report: A guide to Minnesota's Public Transit Systems; P.49 Retrieved on March 26th, 2013
- ↑ MATBUS: About Retrieved on March 26th, 2013
- ↑ Mass Transit Magazine: Two cities operating one system Retrieved on March 26th, 2013
- ↑ Hybrid buses announcement
