MATBUS

On Thursday, June 20, MATBUS will join hundreds of transit systems around the United States to celebrate the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)’s eighth annual “Dump the Pump Day” in the Fargo-Moorhead metro!  To help encourage area residents and visitors to give public transit a try, MATBUS is offering a fare-free day to all of its fixed route passengers on Thursday, June 20.  This promotion does not apply to MAT Paratransit services.

Riding MATBUS provides an environmentally-friendly and convenient way to get around the area, while also saving passengers a substantial amount of money.  APTA estimates that it costs almost $10,000 annually to operate a personal vehicle; a year of MATBUS rides cost less than $500.  A potential savings of $9,500 can be realized by simply eliminating one vehicle in a two-car household. 

One bus full of passengers replaces six blocks of cars on the road.  Additionally, every $1 invested in public transit projects generates anywhere from $4 to $9 in local economic activity.  MATBUS’ new hybrid vehicles produce less than 50% of the greenhouse gases emitted by typical diesel vehicles.

During 2012, MATBUS fixed routes and MAT Paratransit services gave a combined 2,099,149 rides to passengers in the F-M community.  MATBUS ridership has soared in recent years, increasing by more than 81% since 2005.  Route modifications, increased gas prices, expanded and targeted marketing efforts and continued outreach activities have all assisted MATBUS in attaining these statistics.  MATBUS is seeing many “choice riders” on-board its vehicles; “choice riders” are those passengers who have their own vehicles, but choose to ride MATBUS instead.

Noting that people are changing their attitudes regarding travel, APTA President/CEO Michael Melaniphy stated, “There is a sea change going on in the way people look at transportation. Americans want travel choices; they want to be able to choose the best travel option for their lives. This is an exciting time for the public transportation industry as more and more Americans support it and want it.”

The first national “Dump the Pump Day” was held in 2006, after gas prices reached $3.00 per gallon.  In 2012, a record 10.5 billion trips were taken on public transit systems in the United States.

MATBUS is the largest rideshare program in the area, offering 21 fixed routes in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo and Dilworth, in addition to MAT Paratransit door-to-door services.  MATBUS is the first transit agency in the region to feature 40-foot hybrid busses in its fleet.  The operation of MATBUS requires a $6.50 million annual investment and over 110 employees, which includes administrative staff, bus operators and technicians.

Due to various improvements on Main Avenue between the river and 8th Street, and 8th Street South between 10th Avenue & 20th Avenue in Moorhead the following routes will be detoured:

- See more at: http://matbus.areavoices.com/#sthash.ZSQnScpw.dpuf

MATBUS is providing FREE rides to all YOUTH attending KidFest on Friday June 14th.

Due to various improvements on Main Avenue between the river and 8th Street, and 8th Street South between 10th Avenue & 20th Avenue in Moorhead the following routes will be detoured:

 TEMPORARY DETOUR

Start Date: 5/20/13

Est. End Date:  September

Due to various street and traffic signal improvements on Main Avenue between the river and 8^th Street in Moorhead, the following routes will be detoured:

 Route 1, Route 8:  Will take Center Avenue East bound from the GTC to 8th Street instead of Main Ave.

 Route 2, Route 7: Will take Center Avenue East bound & West bound from the GTC to 11th Street instead of Main Avenue.

Attention
Route 2 Riders

The second bus on Route 2 in the afternoon, Monday – Friday, operates only during the MSUM academic year.  Therefore, the second bus, which leaves the GTC at :00 and :30, will end on Friday May 17th and start back up on Monday, August 19th, 2013.

Explore summer with a MATBUS Summer Youth Pass

On sale NOW

Check out the benefits:

• $26.00 (3 months for the price of one)
• Unlimited Rides June 1 – August 31, 2013
• Valid on Moorhead & Fargo MATBUS routes
• Available to Youth (Ages K-12)
• Sold at GTC starting May 13, 2013

Start Date: Monday April 29, 2013

Due to river flooding and the closure of the 1^st Ave underpass and bridge, Routes 4 and 7 will be detoured as follows:

Route 4:  Will take Center Avenue from 7^th Street to the river.
Please note: Park View Terrace will be serviced as long as 3^rd Street between 1^st Avenue and Center Mall Avenue is open.

Route 7:   Will take Center Avenue from 7^th Street to the river.

Addicted to Oil?
Save money with MATBUS, your GREEN alternative!

Events for Earth Week will include:

• Get your “Can” on the bus (this promotional fare applies only to MATBUS fixed route) Riding MATBUS will cost only one aluminum can!  (Proceeds donated to the local Habitat for Humanity)

• Drawings for Free T-shirts (MATBUS, Y94 or BOB FM).  Registration forms are available on MATBUS and at the GTC.

• Come check out the MATBUS booth from April 19th – April 25th at the Moorhead Center Mall.  Go Green and Ride with us at MATBUS!

Beginning today, Thursday, April 4, MATBUS will provide free rides for sandbagging and flood relief volunteers  traveling to/from Sandbag Central shuttle sites (not applicable to Paratransit services). Riders should tell the bus driver they are flood relief volunteers when they get on the bus. This promotion will continue until the flood relief effort is over.

Buses will transport volunteers to/from two shuttle sites – West Acres Mall (Fountain Entrance in the JCPenney wing) and Jitters Coffee Bar (located in the Bison Block Building near NDSU campus). Shuttles will be departing every 20 minutes. If you would like to know when volunteers are most needed, please call the volunteer hotline at 701.476.4000 or visit volunteerstatus.cityoffargo.com.

Sandbag Central shuttles are available from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.  The last shuttles will depart the volunteer check-in sites at 6 p.m.  There will be no shuttles on Sunday, as Sandbag Central will be closed.

MATBUS fixed route services provide direct transportation to West Acres and the NDSU campus, where additional vehicles will be available to transport volunteers to Sandbag Central.  Additionally, MATBUS’ Route 17 provides direct transportation near Sandbag Central.