TRC and Arrowhead Transit: 100+ vehicle deployment serving 10 counties in Northeast Minnesota
October 16, 2025 – New York, NY and GILBERT, MN, USA: The Routing Company (“TRC”), a global on-demand vehicle routing and management platform, announces its transformative transit service in partnership with Arrowhead Transit, the primary transportation system in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota spanning ten counties of Minnesota: Aitkin, Itasca, Koochiching, St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Carlton, Pine, Chisago, and Isanti. Arrowhead Transit is operated by Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
The deployment marks a significant milestone supporting rural transportation, setting a new benchmark for public transportation accessibility and connectivity by supporting multiple transit services across the Arrowhead Region. TRC is powering Arrowhead Transit’s scheduled and dial-a-ride programs that includes county-specific services across all ten counties Arrowhead Transit serves. All services are planned to be fully launched and operational by late 2025/early 2026.
Through this partnership, TRC’s cutting-edge 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 intercounty transfers with a purpose-built experience for riders, operators and administrators alike.
“This partnership is a major milestone for supporting multi-modal, all-in-one transit, and we are proud to partner with Arrowhead Transit to redefine how mobility is delivered in the Arrowhead area having launched several other large rural systems,” said James Cox, Chief Executive Officer, TRC. “This launch will be a testament to the potential of technology to transform public transit systems. By leveraging the Pingo platform, we’re ensuring that communities – especially those in rural areas – have access to equitable, reliable, and flexible transportation options.”
“This partnership with TRC represents a shared commitment to building a smarter, more connected rural transportation network,” said Brandon Nurmi, Director of Arrowhead Transit. “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 ten-county region. 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.”
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. 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 extend networks and improve 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," added Cox. “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, which includes the Drive Pingo™ and Ride Pingo™ apps and the Pingo Dashboard™ operations tool, has powered nearly 4 million trips to date, helping agencies deliver efficient, flexible, and scalable transit services.
To learn more about how TRC is moving the world visittheroutingcompany.com or request a demo by emailing move@theroutingcompany.com.
About TRC
Founded by MIT researchers and rideshare industry veterans, TRC is a global on-demand vehicle routing and management platform that partners with cities to power the future of public transit. Leveraging proprietary and unrivalled artificial intelligence, TRC delivers routing from multiple points of demand to one vehicle while enabling greater transit equity, accessibility, cost efficiency, and sustainability. Its leading product, the Pingo™ app, offers on-demand or advance trip requests and can operate in on-demand, flex, fixed, shuttle, or paratransit mode.
With a team spanning the globe, TRC directly supports international operations and customer growth through hubs in the E.U., the United Kingdom, and the United States. Learn more at theroutingcompany.com.
About Arrowhead Transit
Founded in 1974, Arrowhead Transit is the primary public transportation provider in Northeast Minnesota, operated by the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). Serving ten counties and more than 21,000 square miles, it is the largest rural public transit system in the state and one of the largest in the nation. The system integrates scheduled routes, Dial-A-Ride services, and volunteer driver programs to provide comprehensive mobility options across the Arrowhead Region.
Arrowhead Transit’s mission is to deliver affordable, safe, and accessible transportation that supports independence and community participation. Guided by data-driven planning and regional coordination, the agency seeks to reduce geographic and economic barriers to mobility, ensuring equitable access to essential destinations such as healthcare, education, and employment.
Media Inquiries
James Cox
Chief Executive Officer - The Routing Company
james@theroutingcompany.com
Dominick Olivanti
Communications Manager - Arrowhead Transit
dominick.olivanti@arrowheadtransit.com
