MOORHEAD (KFGO-AM) - A soft start Monday for the circulator bus connecting downtown Fargo and Moorhead. As expected, the initial runs didn't have any riders.
Metropolitan Area Transit spokesperson Lori Van Beek anticipates ridership will pick up once a marketing campain is launched in the weeks ahead and a newly decked out bus hits the street covered with art and music inside and outside the bus. Fargo City Commissioner Mike Williams expects the bugs to be worked out by the time college students return in August.
At first, the idea by Fargo was met with skepticism by Moorhead city leaders. but differences were worked out and the circulator makes six stops at various Fargo sites and four locations in Moorhead. The bus runs 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
This is considered a trial run and the number of riders will be tracked. Each city has the option of pulling out of the agreement with 30 days written notice.
The ride is free, with Fargo picking up the tab for the first year of operation, estimated at around $135,000.