Frequently Asked Questions

goMARTI is a pioneering rural mobility service in northern Minnesota that began as one of the first autonomous transit pilots for winter climates and has grown into a community-driven model for innovative, connected transportation. It is an on-demand micro-transit service that features free rides in the Grand Rapids, La Prairie, Cohassett, Deer River, and Ball Club Communities.

Minnesota’s Advanced Rural Transit Innovations

To provide safe, reliable, and flexible transportation for everyone—supporting daily life, workforce participation, and economic growth across northern Minnesota.

Grand Rapids is a thriving community in northwest Minnesota, with a diverse population and growing economy. The need for additional transit options is needed to ensure that the area is able to accommodate transit and assist in everyone getting to where they live, work and play. Also, Grand Rapids and the neighboring towns present a perfect opportunity to test new technologies in rural and winter conditions.

Riders use the goMARTI app to request a ride, or they can call (218) goMARTI to speak to an operator to book their ride. The app is similar to Uber or Lyft, except the rider chooses from predetermined pickup and dropoff locations. Rides are free. goMARTI signs are placed at each pickup and dropoff location throughout each community. To book a return ride simply repeat the process.

There are predetermined pickup and dropoff locations throughout Grand Rapids, La Prairie, Cohassett, Deer River, and Ball Club. The stops are located in high demand areas, areas with amenities and attractions, and locations that the communities have chosen. Simply choose from the predetermined pickup and dropoff locations for the start and end of your trip.

goMARTI was designed by and for the community. Planning and listening sessions were held publicly, with community members invited. A needs assessment was also conducted and considered when planning. goMARTI is revised all the time, feel free to find our stop request form on the website to request a new stop!

Anyone in the community can ride the goMARTI shuttle. Vehicles are equipped to accommodate wheelchair users. Individuals 13 and older may ride on their own. Individuals younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

A self-driving vehicle or autonomous vehicle, is a vehicle that navigates the roads with mapped technology using sensors and GPS. The vehicle uses computers to understand where it is and where it needs to go. It uses technology to drive. A vehicle operator is present to assist passengers and to help teach the vehicle how to operate.

The autonomous vehicles are staffed to ensure the safety of the riding experience. Although the autonomous vehicles are self-driving, there is a person on board that can gain control at any time should the need arise.

No, the self-driving autonomous vehicles are featured in Grand Rapids and La Prairie. Vehicles that travel at highway speeds, particularly the vehicles going to Cohasset, Deer River, and Ball Club are driven the old fashioned way.

Yes! The service runs all year, except on select holidays. If you are planning to travel on a holiday, check the website and social media channels for possible closure. If closed, a message will display in the rider app, letting you know that service is closed for the day. In extreme weather when schools and government offices are closed, goMARTI may close as well. Safety is top priority and if it is not safe to be out, goMARTI might not be out either.

The service will be available: Monday - Saturday 10AM-9PM Sunday 8AM-3PM

20+ Local jobs were created for this project. These jobs include Site Manager, Site Supervisors, Vehicle Operators, and Autonomous Vehicle Operators.

All personnel, including vehicle operators undergo a background check, drive history check, criminal background check, and drug screen.

Staff are trained in safety, technology, customer service and micro-transit.

You can book a ride using the goMARTI app on your smart phone/smart device, OR by calling (218) goMARTI or (218)-466-2784.

Wait times are an average of 7-11min.

Your wait time is an estimate of when your ride will arrive. Factors such as traffic can play a role in the time estimated that your ride arrives. Also, if another individual is requesting a ride to your same destination, the shuttle may pick them up if it is on the way to you. All of the shuttles get notified when a ride is requested and wait times can also be affected by availability.

Yes, you are able to bring a car seat, but you will need to load and strap it in yourself and also take it with you when you have reached your destination.

A person can assist an individual with booking a ride for a friend or family member, but the individual riding has to have entered their information on the app or given their information to the phone operator before the ride begins.

Up to 4 individuals can ride at one time. If an individual is in a wheelchair, there can be up to 3 individuals including the passenger in a wheelchair.

You can take as many rides as needed as long as the vehicles are available and in operation time frame.

All rides are free!

You can call (218) goMARTI with any questions about the service.

If you are on your way to a destination and another rider has requested the same stop location, the operator will also pick up that rider if there is room in the vehicle.

No Eating or drinking, no tobacco products, vaping or alcohol allowed in vehicles, only certified service animals are allowed in vehicles, all children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older, young children may only ride in an age-appropriate safety seat made available by the parent/guardian.

You can give feedback on the post-ride survey or by emailing hello@gomarti.com

You will need to stop at your original destination location and then book another ride to your other needed location.

You can book a ride to any of our stop locations. If you would like to park then ride, stops at Walmart, Target, and the Airport can be used to park your personal vehicle, then take a ride with goMARTI.

There is a question in the app that you will answer if you need a wheelchair or also let the phone operator know when you are booking your ride.

Each of the wheelchair accessible vehicles have tie downs and seatbelts in place for all wheelchair users.

You can book a ride to any of our stop locations in Grand Rapids, La Prairie, Cohasset, Deer River or Ball Club.

goMARTI will pick-up/drop-off at any of the pre-programmed stop locations. Some stops may be closer to an individual's home than others.

Yes, goMARTI operates year round. There may be instances that the weather is too extreme (cold or storm) that may cause operations to shut-down for safety reasons.

Monday - Saturday 10AM-9PM

Sunday 8AM-3PM

You will be able to book your ride and get to your destination, you will not be able to book a return ride if needed as operation will then be done.

The service is on-demand so once you are finished with your activity at your stop, you will then book another ride to your next destination.

goMARTI is an on-demand service meaning that you will book a ride on the actual day/time a ride is needed.

There is a map of pick-up/drop-off locations on the phone app, but also, goMARTI signs posted at each stop location.

You can use the goMARTI app to book your ride or call (218) goMARTI to book your ride. Just enter your location in the app or let the operator know where your starting point is.

You will need to book a ride via app or phone to request and receive a ride. Vehicles you see on route, even if just waiting, are likely already dispatched. In order to request your ride, please use the app or call (218) goMARTI.

You will need to book a ride via app or phone to request and receive a ride. Vehicles you see on route, even if just waiting, are likely already dispatched. In order to request your ride, please use the app or call (218) goMARTI.

All goMARTI vehicles have a monitoring system that records all activity for the safety of the riders and operators.

goMARTI is a Federal and State funded program. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation was awarded a Federal ATTAIN grant to fund the project from September 2025 through 2028, this funding allows rides to be free!

Through the Federal and State sustained funds received, the service continues to be free.

Radar, Lidar, GPS, Visual Cameras, Autonomous Vehicle Programming, On-Demand dispatch and ride hailing apps for Micro-Transit, cutting edge Wheelchair Securement Systems, Cross Platform Apps and systems.

AV’s have integrated technology that allows the vehicle to make corrections and give warnings, making the safety features sometimes greater than the human eye.

The operator (driver) is able to assist with wheelchair tiedown, seatbelts and also a human voice for communication. The state of Minnesota also requires a licensed driver to operate the vehicles.

The AV’s work just like any other vehicle would in winter conditions. With multiple sensor types, the vehicle is able to recognize where it is and what it needs to do, even when roads are covered in ice and snow.