Hubbard County commissioners are exploring ways to expand the Heartland Express transit system, but the county needs more revenue to fund the expansion, according to a discussion at a June 16 board meeting.
The Heartland Express is a demand-response public transportation service operated by Hubbard County. The county is responsible for 10% of the total operating cost and 20% of the total capital costs. According to County Human Services Director Mike Edminster, next year’s estimated operating cost is $818,500, meaning the county will cover $81,850.
The challenge is that farebox revenues—money collected from fares—fall short of covering the local cost. To make up the difference, the county relies on local contracts with organizations like the DAC (Disability Awareness Council). The current funding model leaves little room for expansion without additional revenue sources.
“We’re looking at adding some possible advertising to our buses,” Edminster said at the meeting. Board chair David De La Hunt asked whether farebox revenues are meeting or exceeding the local cost. “It’s a little shy of covering that. That’s where the local contracts come in,” Edminster replied.
County commissioner Char Christenson noted that there have been requests to increase the Heartland Express’ service area. She asked if expansion would require a levy increase. “That’s correct,” Edminster confirmed, adding that Transit Director Jason Ness regularly brings the expansion request to his MnDOT meetings, trying to redraw the service boundary, which he described as “as jagged as you could make something.”
Expansion is part of the transit program’s five-year plan. Edminster said the plan includes having new buses arrive and capital improvements to establish a more centralized location. The Heartland Express operates six days a week and provided 15,121 rides between January 1 and May 31, 2026.
The county has already received federal support for fleet modernization. In December 2025, Hubbard County was awarded federal grant funding through the Minnesota Department of Transportation for six propane buses and fueling infrastructure for the Heartland Express. The Federal Transportation Administration awarded MnDOT a $4.4 million Low and No Emissions Program Grant, with Hubbard County’s allocation dedicated to transitioning the fleet to cleaner propane technology.
De La Hunt suggested that the easiest way to increase revenue is to boost usage. “If you doubled the amount of people using it, you’d have the revenue to expand your reach,” he said. “The demand has to be there to really justify the cost.”
Sources
- Park Rapids Enterprise — Reported on Hubbard County commissioners’ June 16 discussion about expanding Heartland Express, including operating costs, funding challenges, and the five-year expansion plan
- Park Rapids Enterprise — Reported on Hubbard County’s December 2025 federal grant award for six propane buses and fueling infrastructure
