---

Beginning this Monday, June 11, the Heartland Express bus system goes to route-based transit. Heartland administration has been reminding riders and new customers of this major change for several weeks.

The fixed routes are now along County Road 30 (old #61) between Wyoming and Rush City and the Highway 8 corridor between the County Government Center (Center City) and Wyoming to the west.

Riders in outlying areas who still need transport somewhere-- but are not directly along these routes or can't get to the routes, can still call Heartland and reserve a ride ahead of time. The phone is 763-689-8131 or toll free 1-888-234-7840.

Heartland Express Director Jackie Forner developed the map (see graphic) of the transit system area. Forner said almost 80 percent of the ridership comes from the corridors shown, so Heartland Express is hoping that there's very little disruption in customer satisfaction with this switchover to fixed routes. There will be three buses running along the routes and a rider can get on one bus and travel the system, so there's little "transfer" of riders required. (The North Branch to Cambridge trip would be a transfer.)

The way the routes will be served is based on approximate top-of-the-hour, quarter hour and bottom-of-the hour schedule, Forner explained.

For example at the top of every hour (big hand is "up") the Maple Commons and Tanger Mall stops are scheduled in North Branch. Stacy should be hit by the bus at the quarter hour.

Wyoming (Fairview is main stop) should see the bus every half-hour.

The plan is to have the routes serviced between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Heartland system doesn't operate on weekends at this time. Rides are $$1.25 in a city area, $1.75 one way all along the obvious corridors, $3 one-way to ride across borders of corridors. The Heartland Express does observe all government holidays, so remember there's no service Memorial Day Monday, Martin Luther King Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, etc.

Another Heartland Express offering is tokens for in-town riders who are age 65 and older. The tokens will be sold 20 for $10 or individually for 50 cents. In-city rides would be post office, druggist, grocery store, etcetera-- all within one area.

Tokens can be purchased at Brink's Market in Chisago City, Nelson's in North Branch, or the Government Center in Center City.

---