FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Fargo city commissioners have approved the extension of bus service to the city industrial park. Metro Transit was approached by United Way about getting transit service to that area on the city’s north side.
Thomas Hill, United Way’s impact director, told commissioners there are now about 19,000 people working in the industrial park area but without mass transit, there’s a “significant barrier” to those wanting jobs and companies needing workers. He says United Way has studied the issue, completed a survey and says adding bus service is “do-able”.
He said, We know employers need it to continue providing opportunities for economic mobility and growth..individuals want it but they do not have access to it.’ He said United Way is committed to increasing access and making sure people have a livable wage job.
Commissioner Dave Piepkorn says this is solving a need. Employers in the industrial park are “begging for employees” and he calls this “a multiple win” for employers and those wanting to work.
Assistant Transit Director Matt Peterson says the bus service will start in August with a leased bus. The pilot project will cost $95,000 for the remainder of this year and about $182,000 in 2020. United Way will provide about $70,000 to defray the costs of the extended service this year. The bus service will be a “TapRide”, on-demand service similar to one that operates on the NDSU campus.