Duluth Transit Authority
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The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is the public transit operator in the Twin Ports region of Minnesota and Wisconsin. DTA operates 15 bus routes throughout the region, serving Duluth, Minnesota; Superior, Wisconsin, and their surrounding suburbs. DTA was founded in 1969 by an act of the Minnesota Legislature, and as of 2024, provides over 2.3 million passenger trips per year. In 2009, the DTA was named Transit System of the Year by the Minnesota Public Transit Association.
DTA operates 14 bus routes in the Twin Ports region. Two "GO Line" routes provide frequent, limited-stop service on key corridors, and a shuttle service operates during summers to connect tourist destinations on the Duluth waterfront.
Routes
DTA redesigned its bus network in 2023 under the "Better Bus Blueprint" initiative. Planning began in 2017, and a final draft of the network was unveiled in 2021. Under the Better Bus Blueprint, DTA reallocated resources from its previous network of 33 routes to 14 new routes, with more frequent service on weekdays and expanded weekend service. Implementation of the plan was delayed due to issues in retaining bus drivers, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Route | Terminals | Via | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 Blue Line | Spirit Valley Grand Ave & 59th Ave W | University of Minnesota Duluth Kirby Plaza | Downtown Duluth Duluth Transportation Center | Go Line routes 101 and 102 operate every 15 minutes with limited stops. Uses Gillig BRT Plus rolling stock |
| 102 Green Line | Downtown Duluth Duluth Transportation Center | Hermantown Walmart, Miller Trunk Hwy & Loberg Ave | Duluth Heights Miller Hill Mall | |
| 1 | DTA Garage | Lincoln Park Superior St | Operates irregular schedule. Passengers who are not DTA Employees must exit before entering DTA Garage. | |
| 103 | New Duluth Commonwealth Ave & McCuen St | University of Minnesota Duluth Kirby Plaza | Lakeside E Superior St & N 60th Ave E | Express service via I-35 between 6th Ave West and Central Ave |
| 104 | Downtown Duluth Duluth Transportation Center | E 4th St | 30 minute frequencies | |
| 105 | E 9th St | 30 minute frequencies | ||
| 106 | College of St. Scholastica | |||
| 107 | Duluth Heights Miller Hill Mall | Lake Superior College | ||
| 108 | Duluth International Airport | Duluth Heights Miller Hill Mall | ||
| 109 | Proctor N 2nd Ave & 5th St | Oneota | Express service via I-35 | |
| 110 | Superior, Wisconsin Walmart, Tower Ave & N 37th St | Rice’s Point, Duluth Garfield Ave John A. Blatnik Bridge | 30 minute frequency | |
| 111 | Superior, Wisconsin Tower Ave & Broadway St | Itasca, Wisconsin US-53 & 50th Ave E | University of Wisconsin–Superior | |
| 112 | Hermantown Miller Trunk Hwy & Burning Tree Rd | Woodland Woodland Park & Ride | College of St. Scholastica, University of Minnesota Duluth | |
| 113 | Downtown Duluth Duluth Transportation Center | Park Point Park Point Recreation Area | Terminus at Park Point beach during summer months | |
| 114 | Central Hillside Skyline Blvd & 8th Ave W | |||
| Port Town Trolley | Downtown Duluth Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center | SS William A. Irvin, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Great Lakes Aquarium | Operates seasonally from the first Sunday in June to Labor Day |
Duluth Transportation Center
Duluth Transportation Center (DTC) is the downtown hub for the Duluth transit system.
The DTC was built in February 2016, replacing an existing parking ramp. The building was designed by LHB Corporation and constructed by Mortenson Construction.
The DTC has eight docks for boarding buses, with space for layovers. Skyways to nearby buildings were replaced during construction, improving pedestrian access.
Incidents
On September 10, 2021, a 36-year-old bus driver fatally struck a 64-year-old pedestrian near the Miller Hill Mall. She was charged with criminal vehicular homicide; prosecutors alleged she was distracted when she struck the pedestrian.
Ridership
Duluth Transit Authority is the Minnesota's third-largest transit system by ridership, after the Metro Transit and University of Minnesota Campus Shuttle systems in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
| Year | Fixed route ridership | Change over previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3,100,305 | 02.96% |
| 2015 | 3,051,665 | 01.57% |
| 2016 | 2,804,354 | 08.1% |
| 2017 | 2,786,702 | 00.63% |
| 2018 | 2,760,475 | 00.94% |
| 2019 | 2,645,307 | 04.17% |
| 2020 | 1,794,627 | 032.16% |
| 2021 | 1,461,418 | 018.57% |
| 2022 | 1,874,795 | 028.29% |
| 2023 | 2,134,071 | 013.83% |
| 2024 | 2,308,998 | 08.2% |
STRIDE
The DTA operates an ADA paratransit service under the brand name STRIDE (Special Transit RIDE) for passengers with disabilities.
STRIDE does not have any fixed routes, it is a point-to-point service that must be scheduled in advance. It is only available to passengers eligible under the ADA.
STRIDE fares are double the standard fixed-route fare. Charging $1.50 during off peak times and $3.00 on peak.
STRIDE utilizes shorter buses equipped with wheelchair ramps or lifts.
Fleet
The DTA operates a fleet consisting of Gillig Low Floor 40-foot transit buses (which comprises the majority of the fleet), Gillig BRT Plus (Only used on Blue and Green lines), and Gillig Trolley Replicas (primarily used for seasonal service)