MATBUS proposes Route 21 to add north–south service along Cheyenne Street; West Fargo commission offers feedback

MATBUS planners presented a proposed new West Fargo-centric transit route, Route 21, on June 16 to provide a north–south connection along Cheyenne Street and improve intra-city connectivity. The presentation was informational; commissioners offered initial feedback but took no action.

Luke Ridner, transit planner for MATBUS, said the one-hour bidirectional Route 21 would operate every 60 minutes, serve Sanford Medical Center, West Fargo City Hall, Rustad Recreational Center, West Fargo Sports Arena, The Lights, Hornbacher's and downtown, and intersect existing routes 20 and 24 to allow transfers. Ridner said planning documents estimate similar ridership to a comparable Fargo route that recorded about 222,000 rides in the prior year and that Route 21’s system cost would be roughly $551,000; after anticipated federal formula funding (Section 5307), the additional cost to West Fargo was estimated at about $250,000 annually.

Ridner and Cole Swing, assistant transit director of operations, provided current productivity figures: Route 20 averaged roughly six rides per revenue hour in 2023–24; Route 24 averaged about 4.4 to 4.9 rides per revenue hour. MATBUS said Route 21 aims to reduce duplicated service by shortening Route 24 west of Veterans Boulevard and providing a continuous north–south connector.

Commissioners probed financial and operational details. Commissioner Zundell asked for a clearer breakdown of funding and whether Route 21 would change paratransit expenses; MATBUS staff said the agency uses a cost-allocation model that reallocates fixed-route and paratransit costs and that federal funds match up to 50% of eligible operating expenses. Commissioners pressed staff on shelters, stop locations and whether Route 21 should serve Cash Wise and other grocery stores; MATBUS indicated the route is not final and stops could be adjusted.

Several commissioners emphasized the need for hard data and clear shelter planning; one commissioner said West Fargo “deserves shelters at our bus stops,” and MATBUS staff said shelters are in the capital plan and replacement schedule and that the 2027 capital budget may include additional stops.

Aaron Nelson, the city’s planning and zoning director, introduced the item and said the Transit Development Plan is expected to be completed in July or August 2025. No action or budget commitment was requested at the June 16 meeting; MATBUS will refine the proposal and, if the commission signals continued interest, staff may include funding in the preliminary 2026 budget and a revised MATBUS operating agreement later this year.