goMARTI connects the Grand Rapids area to rural and tribal areas

With the click of a button or a short phone call, community members living in the Leech Lake Band in the Ball Club community of Ojibwe can request a free ride with the recently expanded transportation service, goMARTI.

The Minnesota Advanced Rural Transportation Innovation Program, or goMARTI, launched its pilot program three years ago to test free, autonomous and on-demand transportation services in “difficult winter conditions” in rural Minnesota. Until two months ago, the program primarily served the Grand Rapids community, providing more than 30,000 rides since its initial launch.

The company managing the project, The PLUM Catalyst, worked with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to provide transportation services to Ball Club, the southernmost community of the tribal nation along Highway 2.

In addition to the tribal community, there are more than 70 new pickup and delivery locations including those in La Prairie, Cohasset and Deer River, says Tammy Meehan-Russell, president and chief motivator of PLUM Catalyst.

“We wanted to really understand the needs, especially in a rural community or area like Grand Rapids,” Meehan-Russell said. “By leveraging technology, technology-oriented funding and technology development, we are also able to bridge the gap and demonstrate this need for transportation in an area like this.”

GoMARTI’s fleet includes electric vehicles, hybrids, and autonomous vehicles with self-driving capabilities. Most vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Despite the self-driving capabilities, Meehan-Russell says drivers are still in the car when using the autonomous vehicles, which primarily serve the immediate Grand Rapids area.

Kyle Fairbanks serves as the District 1 representative for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. He says transportation is a major barrier in indigenous communities.

“The mere lack of transportation for our band members prevents them from seeking out daily needs, from health care to groceries and being able to get to school,” Fairbanks said.

He emphasizes healthcare needs, noting the increased accessibility that goMARTI has provided since its expansion. He hopes the tribe will continue to work with The PLUM Catalyst to expand services to more communities within the reservation.

“A lot of our band members go to a doctor in Deer River or Grand Rapids or IHS,” Fairbanks said. “I’ve talked to a few who have used goMARTI and it’s simple. As simple as getting an app or as simple as making a phone call to be able to make those appointments.”

Adam White grew up in the Ball Club community. White, who is currently supervisor of transportation operations for the newly expanded region, says he started out as an autonomous vehicle driver with goMARTI in Grand Rapids.

“I never realized that my goal was to help people with transportation issues, you know, like getting people from point A to point B,” White said. He says he enjoys being able to help his community and make an impact on those who use goMARTI.

Since its expansion, he has noticed that there are already many people in the tribal community who use the service almost every day. Although the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe already offers shuttle services for certain needs such as transportation to work, the goMARTI expansion will not replace that, White says.

“We’re trying to bridge the gap so people can get to the hospital, groceries and stores,” White said.

One of the most common questions he’s asked is whether anyone can use goMARTI’s services, noting that many believe goMARTI is primarily for those with accessibility needs, but he says it’s open to everyone.

Meehan-Russell says the service was not designed with a specific group in mind.

“The goal was to make something that all communities felt was theirs,” Meehan-Russell said.

A community celebration will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids.

“Being on this project is a true honor, giving back to my community,” White said.

Users can access goMARTI by downloading the goMARTI app on their mobile device or by calling 218-466-2784. Opening hours can be found on the goMARTI website.

Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News viaReport for Americaa national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on issues and underground societies.