The Routing Company (TRC) is working to provide “transformative transit service” in partnership with Arrowhead Transit, the primary transportation system in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota, spanning 10 counties of Minnesota: Aitkin, Itasca, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Carlton, Pine, Chisago, and Isanti. 

TRC is powering Arrowhead Transit’s scheduled and dial-a-ride programs, which include county-specific services across all 10 counties Arrowhead Transit serves. All services are planned to be fully launched and operational by late 2025/early 2026.

The TRC, Arrowhead Transit Service

Through this partnership, TRC’s Pingo platform powers a service that bridges mobility gaps, particularly in rural and underserved communities, offering real-time ride booking and optimized routing to enhance rider convenience and efficiency. Most importantly, the Pingo platform will accommodate deviated fixed routes, commuter routes for employers, and inter-county transfers, offering a purpose-built experience for riders, operators, and administrators, according to company officials.

“Together, we’re bringing real-time accessibility to the people of Greater Minnesota — so whether someone is heading to work, a medical appointment, or the grocery store, they can count on a seamless, dependable ride across our 10-county region,” said Brandon Nurmi, director of Arrowhead Transit. “By combining Arrowhead Transit’s deep community roots with TRC’s global innovation, we’re setting a new standard for how rural systems can collaborate to deliver modern, on-demand transportation that truly meets people where they are.”

Partnering at a Pivotal Time

The partnership arrives at a pivotal time, as transit agencies increasingly turn to on-demand solutions to address transit gaps and expand service coverage in rural areas, said TRC. 

According to TRC’s State of On-Demand Transit Report, the adoption of on-demand models is accelerating across North America, with agencies seeking innovative ways to expand their networks and enhance accessibility.

Looking forward, TRC envisions all-in-one transit becoming a cornerstone of modern mobility solutions. 

“This partnership is just another example of how one platform can deliver comprehensive transit solutions under one platform," said James Cox, CEO at TRC. “We’re continually committed to working with transit agencies to make multi-modal transit a proven and essential component of public transportation networks across the U.S.”

The Pingo platform, comprising the Drive Pingo and Ride Pingo apps, as well as the Pingo Dashboard operations tool, has facilitated nearly four million trips to date, enabling agencies to deliver efficient, flexible, and scalable transit services.