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The Chisago County public transportation system, Arrowhead Transit, activated a fresh design of its Isanti-Chisago county routes, operations and ticket prices as of June 2.  
Officials with Arrowhead say they have been working to respond to ridership as to what the most desired destinations are, which times they want the bus available and on which days.
Arrowhead as an organization, operates transit services in 10 counties. Over the past several months these services within the Cambridge-Pine City- Chisago Lakes area have been revamped resulting in better defined connections and route schedules. The outcome will enhance use of the system by riders pursuing everything from shopping, education, recreation and healthcare access.

Chase Burnham, Chisago County Administrator, commented that this refresh of Arrowhead is a “...win, win, win from a tax levy point of view.” The operations that were absorbed from the old Heartland Express program, are independent of local tax levy and are under federal and state transportation initiatives. Yet Arrowhead “...is putting a lot of effort into getting Chisago County ridership up,” Burnham added.
And, the hope is, potentially someday the artificial barrier at the Forest Lake/Washington County line could fall away and Arrowhead which is now designated as a “rural transit” carrier will be eligible to bring riders into the urban Metropolitan Council territory.
FYI....
There are essentially two ways to get around the Arrowhead service area; either by a “loop” or “communter” route. A site to site Dial-a-Ride capability is available in the North Branch urban area. Those riders who want to use this service should call dispatch and get specific assistance on pick-up and drop-off at 1-800-862-0175.

Bus fares became a flat $5 per ride for most routes as of January 2025, and fares are $3 for the more populated in-North Branch service territory. If you want to use an in North Branch ride reservation call 1-800-862-0175 and choose option 13 from the menu.
(Cambridge also has in-town stops and a regular schedule)

Arrowhead has a County Road 30-Hwy 61 “commuter’ route that connects Pine City to Wyoming, with stops in Rush City, Harris, North Branch, Stacy and Wyoming. There are four stops in each of the cities during a full service weekday loop, during morning hours and late afternoon. (See the website for actual departure and arrival times.)

The revamped system is dubbed RideSmart 2025 and Assistant Director of Arrowhead Operations Sandra Wheelcor served as project lead. During a launch program held in the Cambridge city main garage, she noted “RideSmart 2025 is about better access clearer schedules stronger connections and most importantly, it’s about people.”
The redesign also lays groundwork for the future kick-off of the program’s planned app-based bookings and real time tracking technology. You’ll be able to locate a bus on your app and know when it’s due

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