MATBUS Coordination Committee - 07.15.2026

The City of Fargo's MATBUS Coordination Committee held its 21st meeting on July 15, 2026, focusing primarily on transit service operations, budget reviews, and future planning. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval to suspend the supplemental Route 2C bus service during the academic year due to low ridership, effective immediately through the 2026-2027 school year, with formal discontinuation planned for 2027. The committee reviewed June budget-to-actuals, noting a $521,000 draw to the state budget and ongoing underruns in expenses, alongside challenges with driver staffing and overtime costs. They discussed the potential procurement of a comprehensive operational analysis (COA) for the transit system, with estimated consultant costs between $250,000 and $325,000, to evaluate route redesigns and service efficiencies in light of the upcoming closure of the current transit center (GTC). The committee emphasized the need for a formal RFP process for selecting a consultant and highlighted the importance of commitment to implementing study recommendations. Additionally, ridership trends and security incidents on buses were reviewed. Future discussions will focus on funding and executing the COA and planning for transit system changes post-GTC closure.