Fargo transit officials describe services, regional partnerships and funding pressure after metro tops 200,000

On a recent episode of the City of Fargo’s Fargo 365 podcast, transit staff outlined how the city’s bus system serves riders, supports workforce access and stretches public dollars through regional partnerships — while noting new funding challenges tied to a metro population threshold.

Cole Swingen, assistant director of transit operations, described daily responsibilities at Metro Transit, saying the department manages the downtown ground transportation center, coordinates transfers and balances everyday operations with long-term capital and grant work. “We wear a lot of hats,” Swingen said, describing duties from budget preparation to ensuring buses run on time.

Jordan Smith, assistant transit director of fleet and facilities, said the department maintains a fleet of 68 vehicles and the maintenance staff that keeps them running. “We have a fleet of 68 vehicles that we operate on a day-to-day basis,” Smith said.

Officials emphasized affordability and access. The podcast guests said fares are kept low so riders on fixed incomes can still afford transit; the department also operates a paratransit service for riders with physical or cognitive disabilities. Applicants for paratransit must submit medical certification and, if approved, also qualify for discounted fares on fixed routes.

The department offers employer pass options for businesses across the metro; staff said a program allows businesses to purchase monthly passes for employees, with one pass option noted at $27 per month. Local partnerships — including coordination with nearby cities and institutions such as NDSU and regional health care employers — are used to align routes and serve new developments.

Speakers said regional collaboration helps stretch tax dollars by sharing infrastructure (for example, housing vehicles and maintenance at a central Metro Transit Garage) and by coordinating routes so riders can transfer across municipal lines without repeating trips.

Panelists flagged a funding complication that followed the 2020 census: the Fargo–West Fargo–Moorhead–Dilworth metropolitan area now exceeds 200,000 residents, which changes how some federal transit funding is calculated. “Because we are a large metropolitan area … they make the assumption that we can bear more of that burden,” one guest said, describing how the shift can reduce the portion of support that comes from federal sources compared with smaller metros. Guests also noted state funding levels differ between North Dakota and Minnesota, and they credited Representative Josh Boschee’s efforts to increase state support for North Dakota’s urban transit providers.

On operations, dispatchers described using an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system to track buses and provide ETAs. Andrew Mer, a fixed-route dispatcher, said AVL helps dispatchers decide when routes are running late and whether to cut or reassign segments to keep service moving.

For riders and employers seeking information, staff directed listeners to the transit website (mapbus.com), social media channels and email alerts for detours, schedule changes and service announcements. The episode closed with hosts encouraging listeners to follow Fargo 365 for future department spotlights.

The transit staff presented the episode as informational; there were no votes or formal board actions recorded during the segment. The podcast did not specify a timetable for policy changes tied to the funding shift. For operational questions or to apply for paratransit, staff directed listeners to the transit website.