By Chandra Colvin/MPR News
With the tap of a button or short phone call, community members living in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s Ball Club community can request a free ride with the recently expanded transportation service, goMARTI.
Minnesota’s Advanced Rural Transit Innovation, or goMARTI, launched its pilot program three years ago to test free, autonomous and on-demand transportation services in rural Minnesota’s “challenging winter conditions.” Until two months ago, the program primarily served the community of Grand Rapids, providing over 30,000 rides since its initial launch.
The company that manages the project, The PLUM Catalyst, worked with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to bring transportation services to Ball Club, the tribal nation’s southernmost community along Highway 2.
Tammy Meehan Russell, president and chief catalyst for The PLUM Catalyst, says in addition to the tribal community, over 70 new pick-up and drop-off locations include those in La Prairie, Cohasset and Deer River.
“We wanted to really understand the needs, especially in a rural community or rural area like Grand Rapids,” Meehan Russell said. “By leveraging technology and funding that’s going toward technology and technology development, we’re able to also fill a gap and show this need for transportation in a region like this.”
GoMARTI’s fleet includes electric and hybrid vehicles, and autonomous vehicles with self-driving capabilities. Most of the vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Despite self-driving capabilities, Meehan Russell says drivers are still in the car when using autonomous vehicles, which primarily service the immediate Grand Rapids area.
Kyle Fairbanks serves as district one representative for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. He says transportation is a major barrier in Native communities.
“Just the lack of our band members having that transportation prevents them from seeking everyday needs, from health care to groceries and being able to get to school,” Fairbanks said.
He emphasizes health care needs, noting the increased access goMARTI has provided since its expansion. He hopes the tribe will continue to work with The PLUM Catalyst to further expand services to more communities within the reservation.
“A lot of our band members, they either go to a doctor in Deer River or Grand Rapids or IHS,” Fairbanks said. “I’ve spoken with a few that have used goMARTI and it was simple. As simple as getting on an app or as simple as making a phone call to be able to make those appointments.”
Adam White grew up in the community of Ball Club. Currently the supervisor of transit operations for the newly expanded area, White says he began as an autonomous vehicle driver with goMARTI in Grand Rapids.
“I just never realized that it was my calling to help people with transportation issues, you know, like getting people from A to B,” White said. He says he enjoys being able to help his community and make an impact on those utilizing goMARTI.
Since its expansion, he’s noticed there are already several people in the tribal community who use the service nearly every day. White says while the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe already offers shuttles for certain needs like transportation to work, the goMARTI expansion is not going to replace that.
“We’re trying to fill in the gap so people can get to the hospital, grocery stores, convenience stores,” White said.
One of the most common questions he’s been asked is if anyone can use goMARTI’s services, stating that many think goMARTI is primarily for those with accessibility needs, but he says it’s open to everyone.
Meehan Russell says the service wasn’t designed with one specific group in mind.
“It was to make something that the communities all feel like it’s theirs,” Meehan Russell said.
A community celebration takes place 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids.
“Being on this project is a real honor, giving back to my community,” White said.
Users can access goMARTI by downloading the goMARTI app onto their mobile devices or by calling 218-466-2784. Hours of operation can be found on goMARTI’s website.
