Try MATBUS Week, October 16-21, is a great time for public transit newcomers to hop on a MATBUS vehicle. The week offers many incentives to encourage metro residents and visitors to join the MATBUS passengers who take 2.2 million annual rides on the system.
Riders can use the bus for just half fare (75 cents) Monday through Friday and ride free on Saturday. MATBUS riders are invited to register for prize drawings on every fixed route bus and at the downtown transfer hub (Ground Transportation Center, 502 NP Ave., Fargo, ND). Plus, riders can “go green” while they save some green, since switching to public transit helps the environment!
“Public transportation provides additional benefits even for people who do not use it. It makes the entire transportation system work more efficiently. Every ten people on a bus in our community during rush hour means there are ten fewer cars on the roads. That means less traffic congestion, fewer carbon emissions, and a safer community for all,” said Fargo Transit Director Julie Bommelman.
“Riding MATBUS is a smart way to make a significant positive impact on your budget. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) estimates that eliminating one car from a two-car household can save almost $10,000 per year. It leads to reductions in costs from insurance, fuel, car payments, and maintenance – and more money in your bank account,” said Moorhead Transit Manager Lori Van Beek.
On Wednesday, October 18, MATBUS will celebrate Customer Appreciation Day with free popcorn and water at the downtown Ground Transportation Center.
If you have never ridden with MATBUS, dispatch team members can help explain the transit system and answer questions. The How to Ride video will provide riders with a comprehensive look at using the MATBUS system. Riders can plan trips on Google Maps or the MATBUS mobile app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. For additional assistance, call 701.232.7500 or reach out to MATBUS staff through Facebook and Twitter.