Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Trip:
When do the buses run?
MATBUS operates Monday - Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., and Saturday from 7:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. Check your specific route timetable for exact times. There is no bus service on Sundays and on these six major holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Where can I go on MATBUS?
MATBUS has 19 fixed routes that cover Moorhead, Dilworth, Fargo and West Fargo. You can get a full system map on board the bus, displayed inside a shelter, at the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) at 502 N.P. Avenue, Fargo, ND, metro-wide City Halls, or on MATBUS.com. You can also plan your trip through Google Maps by entering your starting point and destination, and selecting the transit button. You’ll get step-by-step directions on getting there on the bus. Watch for monthly event guides posted on MATBUS’ Facebook and X pages, and you will see which routes serve upcoming community activities.
How do I know if there is a detour on my route?
Route detours are posted on the Current Detours page and the Upcoming Detours page. You can also view your route’s individual page, which will show if a detour is currently happening on MATUBS Routes.
How do I keep up-to-date on MATBUS news?
Follow MATBUS on social platforms like Facebook, X[link], and Instagram. Sign up online for MATBUS Rider Alerts. Alerts are sent directly to your email inbox regarding detours, public notices, route modifications, new routes, promotions and more. For any questions, call 701.232.7500 option 1, email transit@matbus.com, or message MATBUS through Facebook or X.
Is there a limit to how many rides I can take if I am a college student?
If you are a student at one of the colleges participating in the U-Pass Program, there are unlimited rides with your current I.D. You will need to bring the I.D. with you and swipe it at the farebox. If your college is not in the U-Pass Program or you are employed as faculty or staff at a college, you may be eligible to purchase a Semester Pass. Proof of enrollment or a current I.D. are required when you purchase the pass. The Semester Pass is valid for unlimited rides during a 120-day period.
How do I know where the bus stops are?
The full system map can be seen by clicking the "View System Map" button at the top of the home page. Full System Map. Once you know which route you need, you can also view each map individually - Individual map. on its own page. If you prefer a printed map, you can get it onboard the bus, at the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) at 502 N.P. Avenue, Fargo, ND, or at Various businesses and organizations.
How do I find the closest bus stop to me?
Zoom in on your location in Google Maps, and look for the bus stop icon (a blue square with a white bus inside). When you click on the bus stop, it will show which routes serve that location. If you do not see a bus stop, you may need to zoom in farther. There also may not be a stop located nearby. You can also plan a trip by putting in a destination and selecting the transit icon. The results will show you the closest bus stop you would need to travel to in order to start your trip. You can also view the [full system map] (https://download.matbus.com/0/final-map---july-2023---web.jpg "Full System Map").
Does MATBUS go outside city limits?
No, MATBUS only operates routes within the city limits of Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo and Dilworth. MAT Paratransit service also only completes pickups and drop-offs within the same city limits. For transportation to other cities, visit the Jefferson Lines and Amtrak websites.
Paying Your Fare:
How much does it cost to ride?
The cost depends on your age and whether you are eligible for a discounted or free rate. There are also several ways to pay: cash, ticket, or pass, college I.S., veterans I.S. or coupon. Specific prices and eligibility are listed on the Fares and Passes page. the Connect Card and App can also get you discounts for frequent rides in a 31 day period. Connect Page.
Can I share my payment card with friends and family?
No, a pass that includes unlimited rides is assigned to an individual person and cannot be shared. Sharing a pass if considered stealing or fraud. Your pass may be confiscated and your privileges to purchase future passes removed if you are found to be sharing your pass.
How do I know if I'm eligible for discounted fare?
The Fares and Passes page includes a list of types of discounted fares. A discount fare is available to: Elderly (age 60 and older), Persons with Disabilities, Medicare Card Holders and Youth (K-12th grade). People who are elderly or disabled must show a MATBUS Rider ID Card or Medicare Card to receive the discounted fare. The Rider ID Card is available at no charge from MATBUS after an application process is completed for eligibility. MATBUS reserves the right to request identification materials, a Medicare card or student ID for discount verification. Children under 6 years old, "service connected" veterans, personal care attendants and U-Pass college students ride for free.
The Discount Fare Application can be found here.
How can I pay for my ride?
You can pay on the bus using cash, ticket, smartcard, or Connect app. Tickets and smartcards can be purchased ahead of time at the GTC. For more information about the types of fares and their costs, visit the Fares and Passes page. For more information about the Connect program, which includes the Connect Card and the Connect App, visit the MATBUS Connect page.
Riding the Bus:
How reliable is the bus schedule? Do I need to expect delays?
MATBUS puts a lot of focus on on-time performance, and tracks the performance by route, bus stop, and driver. Staff are continually monitoring these stats, and the current on-time performance averages 93%. Even with perfectly timed routes, delays happen. These could be due to a variety of reasons, including time of day, traffic, weather, road conditions, detours, and passenger boarding delays. Plan ahead, so you have an alternative bus trip or other transportation option. The printed bus schedule is updated once a year, and each schedule has the date listed at the top. Changes can happen in between printings, so the most up-to-date timetables are always posted on the website on each route’s page.
What is the cleaning procedure for the buses?/How often are bus interiors cleaned and disinfected?
Why did the bus pass by me without stopping?
Drivers are trained to look for potential riders at designated bus stops, and look for people who are waving at the bus. If you are not a reasonable distance from the bus stop sign, or are not looking at the bus and waving, the driver may not see you. If your bus stop is inaccessible due to snow, wait at the nearest safe pickup area and wave to the driver. If you are at a shelter, be sure to step outside so the driver can clearly see you. They may not be able to see you inside the shelter. When at a bus stop that has a bench, stand up from the bench so it is clear that you want to ride, and aren’t just resting as a pedestrian.
What if I need to use more than one route to get to my final destination?
You can transfer between routes. Your fare is meant to be for one-way travel, and you can take multiple free transfers between your starting point and your destination. Ask for a transfer when you board the bus. You will then scan the transfer on your next route when you board. If you need to take another route after that, you can ask for another transfer. Transfers are valid 90 minutes. You will need to pay a new fare for your return trip.
How to tell the bus driver where to let me off?
About one block before your destination, pull the yellow cord located near the windows. A “stop requested” sign will light up and a sound will be heard. This will let the driver know you want to exit at the next available bus stop. Passengers in mobility devices, such as a wheelchair, should press the bell line located on the bottom of the seat flipped up next to them. Key destinations along the routes are announced through our public address system and on a digital display in the buses. For people with sight impairments or other disabilities, specific intersections can be announced by the driver upon request.
What does it mean when a bus is interlining?
With interlining, one bus will travel on multiple routes that are connected with a common transfer hub. The bus will often alternate between the routes on every other trip, allowing you to ride more than one route without physically transferring by deboarding.
For Example: Route 1 and Route 3 are interlined. The bus will alternate trips between the two routes, switching routes at the Marriott Transfer Hub. After reaching the Marriott on Route 1, if you want to continue on Route 1, you will need to deboard and transfer to another bus. Otherwise, you may stay on board and continue your travel on the same bus as it switches to Route 3.
Can I track the bus to see when it will arrive?
Yes, the MATBUS live tracker is located on RideMATBUS.com. On this website, you can choose to track your bus via a Live Bus Map or Arrival Times. On the map, select your route, then click on your bus stop to see arrival times. You can also see the location of your bus, marked with an arrow icon and bus number. If you choose the arrival times option, select your route from the drop down menu. If your route has multiple hubs, you may see a direction option next. Choose the hub you are traveling toward. Your next drop down menu will have a list of all the bus stops. Select your bus stop, and you will see the next couple arrivals scheduled for that stop.
Weather Related:
What do I do if snow is impacting my ability to walk/wheel to my bus stop?
Property owners are responsible for keeping their sidewalks clear from ice and snow, but there may be a delay in getting them cleared after a snow event. If you have a mobility condition that makes it difficult to travel uncleared pathways to/from your bus stop, you may qualify for MAT Paratransit. MAT Paratransit is a door-to-door service for persons with disabilities that prevent them from riding MATBUS fixed routes. Riders must submit an application and be approved before scheduling rides on MAT Paratransit. For more information on this service, visit the MAT Paratransit page.
Do I have to stand by the MATBUS stop sign if there is a snowbank there?
No, you do not need to stand directly next to a MATBUS sign in order to be picked up, if there is a barrier at that location. Instead, riders can stand at the nearest cleared, safe spot within a reasonable distance from the bus stop. Some options may include a nearby driveway or sidewalk approach. Be sure to wave at the bus as it approaches, so the driver knows you’d like to board.
How do I know if the buses are running or not because of the weather?
If conditions are bad enough to cancel bus service, the public will be notified up to two hours prior to the closing. If the shopping mall, colleges, and interstate highways are closed, there -MAY/Emphasize/_ be no bus service. The announcement will be made on the MATBUS website, social media(Facebook and Instagram), and the outgoing message for the main phone line 701.232.7500. MATBUS will also send out a Rider Alert and information for local news outlets.