Minnesota’s Advanced Rural Transit Innovations
goMARTI began as an ambitious pilot in 2022 to test autonomous, on-demand microtransit in rural Minnesota’s challenging winter conditions. After delivering over 25,000 rides and earning strong community support, it has evolved into goMARTI 2.0—an expanded and ongoing service that combines autonomous vehicles (AVs), highway-speed electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), enhanced rider tools, and local economic and workforce development to create a scalable model for rural transportation innovation.
Our Mission
To provide safe, innovative transportation options designed to support a wide range of mobility needs while helping residents and visitors reach key destinations in northern Minnesota—fostering independence, community connection, and economic growth.
How It Works
goMARTI provides advanced, safe, accessible and convenient transportation in northern Minnesota.
Fleet
- 5 Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)
- 3 Wheelchair Accessible AVs
- 1 Fully Electric Vehicle
- 2 Hybrid Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles
Service Area
Approximately 20 square miles with around 150+ pickup and drop-off points.
Booking
Rides can be booked via the goMARTI app or by calling (218) goMARTI.
Operation
Each vehicle has an onboard operator to ensure safety and assist passengers as needed.
Goals
Safety
Providing safer transportation options for riders and workforce by using the latest technologies and resources.
Advance
Leverage data to advance and inform operations of advanced mobility microtransit solutions in a rural and winter environment.
Involve
Engage with local communities, build trust in the new technology options such as autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, on-demand, and shared rides, and move the community members from Inform to Empowerment as the project progresses.
Transform
This project aims to share how to incorporate new technology in rural communities, also informing future projects and sharing findings broadly.
Reliable & Efficient
Leverage on-demand advanced mobility technology to reduce wait and travel time for riders.
Accessible
Create accessible transportation options for all residents, including the families, children, elderly, and people with disabilities.
Economic Development
Expand the region’s existing local traditional manufacturing engineering expertise and the natural resource industries to include high-technology companies, creating an entrepreneurial, living lab environment aligned to the trends of the new mobility technologies.
Workforce Development
Develop an upskilling program , exploration experiences, and other training programs in partnership with a local education working group to prepare a high-tech workforce in the region.
Technology Integration
Use Mobility as a Service (MaaS) tools to grow ridership and simplify travel.
Innovation
Innovating across all aspects of transportation planning – pilot deployment, community engagement, workforce development and economic development.
Community Cohesion
Increasing access to social services, community spaces, and other points of interest that supports families and individuals participation in their community.
Our Partners
goMARTI is a collaborative effort made possible by the support of various organizations.
Core Team
Minnesota Department of Iron Range and Rehabilitation Resources (IRRR)
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
Cities - Grand Rapids, La Prairie, Cohasset, Deer River, and Ball Club
The PLUM Catalyst
May Mobility
Via
First Call 211
AbleLink
Funding and Contributing Partners
US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
Blandin Foundation
Additional Partners
Mobility Mania
Itasca County
Visit Grand Rapids
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission
IASC NEXT Career Pathways
University of Minnesota
Interested in becoming a goMARTI partner?
Contact us
Impact Highlights
Miles Driven
Over 437,538 miles covered.
Rider Satisfaction
95% repeat ridership with a 5/5 approval rating.
Riders Moved
More than 74,194 riders moved.
Mobility Support
- More than 2851 wheelchair rides moved.
- 15% are shared rides.
Community-led Service
- 100% of new locations come from community feedback.
- 70+ community events in the past year.
In the News
Beyond the City Limits: Why Rural Innovation is the True Test of Future Mobility
As transportation leaders, we spend a great deal of our time looking toward the future. We discuss smart cities, automated vehicles, and interconnected transit webs. However, in our race to...
Unlock Your Independence: A Gentle Guide to goMARTI Micro Transit
As we journey through life, maintaining our independence and staying connected with our community becomes increasingly important. Getting around to appointments, social gatherings, errands, and simply enjoying the sights and...
Excitement about the expansion of the goMARTI transit program in Itasca County
goMARTI has been around now for three years, and has offered people 30,000 rides around the Grand Rapids area. All for free. All you need is an app! Now, it’s...
Self-driving rural transit service expands to new cities
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (Northern News Now) – GoMARTI, or Minnesota Advanced Rural Transit Innovation, is shifting things into high gear to reach more of Itasca County. They started in 2022...
On-demand transportation service links Grand Rapids to rural and tribal communities
“We are proving that innovative mobility isn’t just for big cities. It’s a vital tool for fostering independence, connection, and economic opportunity right here in northern Minnesota,” she added. The...
goMARTI 2.0 Media Day and Community Event: Celebrating Service Expansion to Rural and Tribal Communities
Who: Project leaders from The PLUM Catalyst, Commissioner Rukavina from the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, Commissioner Daubenberger from MnDOT, and technology partners May Mobility and Via, along with officials...
