FARGO, N.D. – A bill to give $2 million in funding for public transit services in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck and Minot has passed the North Dakota House and Senate.
Despite the measure’s approval, City of Fargo Transit Director Julie Bommelman says the possible funding increase would probably not lead to MATBUS offering services on Sundays.
Transit officials say it would be costly to run buses on Sundays because they would have to staff the routes and have the Ground Transportation Center and maintenance shops open.
Bommelman adds MATBUS is often requested to provide routes in areas buses aren’t running yet.
“We hear the asks and wish we could provide everything people are asking for and that’s not realistic,” Bommelman explained to Flag Family Media. “What we’re hoping to do is to seriously consider how that service best looks for everybody,”
The bill would provide public transit money over the next two years, and would also pay for a study on funding needs for transportation networks including reviews on population growth, economic development, workforce and healthcare needs.
Bommelman says how the money would be divided among the cities if Governor Kelly Armstrong signs the legislation into law has yet to be determined.
The funding bill initially asked for $15 million over two years.
Bommelman says the City of Fargo put $5.5 million towards MATBUS this year with the state chipping in $550,000.
