Our Mission
The DTA mission is to provide a public transit service that is safe, convenient, efficient and affordable for all people.
Quick Facts About The DTA
General Information
- 175+ Employees
- Service Area – Duluth, Superior, Proctor and Hermantown
- More than 100 bus shelters
- Approximately 850 bus stops
Fixed-Route Service
- 7 Electric Buses
- 87 Diesel Buses
- 3 Trolley Buses
Paratransit Service
- 12 Vehicles
Facilities
- Operating Center (2402 West Michigan Street) – opened 1981
- Duluth Transportation Center (DTC – 228 West Michigan Street) – opened 2016
- Kirby Plaza Transit Hub
- Miller Hill Mall Transit Hub
- Woodland Park & Ride Lot
Leadership Team
Christopher Belden
General Manager
Tracy Christensen
Human Resources Director
James Barg
Director of Finance
Mark Ness
Director of Maintenance
David Clark
Director of Marketing
Jeffrey Dahlgren
Director of Operations
Aleda Johnson
Director of Information Technology
Michael Ahlin
Director of Safety and Security
Nick Ackman
Director of Scheduling
CONTACT DTA LEADERSHIP
Sustainability
Think Green…Ride the Bus!
At DTA, we’ve taken a number of steps to reduce our carbon footprint. From hybrid buses to using LED lights in our interiors, we are committed to providing a sustainable service for our community.
Electric Buses
Leading the Charge with NEW Electric Buses!
- 440 kWh (kilowatt hour) of battery power
- Range of up to 200 miles on a fully-charged battery
- Full-charge time is 2-5 hours (done at the DTA Operating Center)
- Regenerative braking system charges batteries when brakes applied
- Exclusive diesel-fueled auxillary heater with about 100,000 additional Btu
- Single 220 kW (kilowatt) motor with 2-speed automatic transmission
- Carbon fiber (less than 50%) reinforced composite body structure
- 40-seat capacity (two more than a standard diesel bus)
- Vehicle kneels and is fully ADA-accessible with a ramp and wide aisles
- Made in the U.S.A. at a factory in Greenville, South Carolina
Other DTA Sustainability Efforts:
- Solar panels on the DTC generate electricity to help offset the cost for lighting the facility
- LED lighting with motion sensors are replacing older T-12 florescent fixtures at the Operating Center
- Lighting improvements have reduced the DTA’s monthly electric bills by more than 40 percent
- Efficient heating replaced natural gas boilers for a 75% reduction in heating costs and over 1,300 less gallons of glycol used
- The DTA’s fleet primarily consists of diesel and electric-hybrid buses; advances in engine technology have increased fuel efficiency
- Clean, low-sulfur diesel fuel and soy based fuel helps decrease carbon emissions
Our History
2019
DTA Today
Today, the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) is one of the most technologically sophisticated transit systems in the country. The DTA provides service in Duluth, Proctor and Superior, Wisconsin. It maintains a modern fleet of transit buses that includes diesel and electric buses. In addition to regular route services, the DTA operates STRIDE services for disabled riders and the Port Town Trolley seasonal circulator service for summer visitors.
2018
Electric Buses
On October 25, 2018, seven electric Proterra buses were introduced into the fleet. The DTA is the first transit agency in Minnesota to operate electric fixed-route buses.
2016
Duluth Transportation Center (DTC)
From the late 1990’s, discussion began for a transportation facility to accommodate the growing need for multimodal transportation services in downtown Duluth. On February 4, 2016, the DTC Grand Opening occurred to accommodate 700 bus trips per day, 12,000 passengers a day, bicycle users, Jefferson Lines, Indian Trails and Arrowhead Transit. It houses the Duluth Police Department, a DTA Information Booth, passenger amenities including restrooms and water fountains, transit vending machines, parking for 410 vehicles (including chargers for electric cars), secured indoor bicycle storage, and a large heated waiting area with benches.
Start Date: June 2014
Completion Date: January 2016
Cost: $30 Million
1984
Port Town Trolleys
New rubber-tired trolleys were put into service in 1984 and operate as a downtown connector during summer months.
1981
New DTA Operating Center
The old “Bus Barn” at 27 Avenue West and Superior Street was replaced in 1981, when construction of the Earl Buck Operating Center was completed at 2402 West Michigan Street. The Operating Center now houses all maintenance, operations and administrative functions of the DTA.
1969
DTA is Legislatively Created
An act of the Minnesota State Legislature created the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) in 1969. The Authority’s first Citizen’s Board was formed in February 1970 and one of the Board’s first acts was to enter into an agreement with a new company, ATE Management and Services, Inc., for the operation and management of the DTA. All personnel at the former Duluth Superior Street Railway company became employees of a local operating subsidiary, ATE Management of Duluth, Inc. The original ATE company was acquired by Ryder Systems, Inc. in 1996, and in 2001 this company was acquired by First Transit, Inc.
1957
First Diesel Buses
The first modern diesel buses were put into service on October 24, 1957.
1951
Propane Buses
The first propane buses were put into service in 1951 and discontinued in 1957.
1939
Streetcar / Incline Service Discontinued
The last rail line in Duluth was abandoned and the Incline Railway dismantled in 1939.
1935
Buses Replace Streetcars
During the 1930’s, all of the streetcars in the system were replaced by buses. Streetcars stopped operating in Superior, Wisconsin in 1935.
1933
Duluth-Superior Transit Emerges
In September, 1933, all of the properties of the Duluth Street Railway Company were transferred to the Duluth- Superior Transit Company, which was incorporated in January, 1933. The transit system’s mixed fleet in 1933 consisted of 110 streetcars, two electric trolley busses and nine gasoline-powered buses.
1931
First Electric Trolley Bus
The first electric trolley bus was put into service in 1931 and discontinued in 1957.
1924
First Gasoline-Powered Bus
The first gasoline powered bus appeared on Duluth streets in 1924.
1919
Highest Transit Ridership in Twin Ports
Transit ridership in Duluth and Superior totaled 45,259,127 in 1919.
1900
Duluth and Superior Transit Operations Consolidated
By 1900, the population of Duluth had increased to 52,000 people and Superior’s residents numbered around 31,000. At this time, the Duluth Street Railway Company and the Superior Traction Company were consolidated and reorganized following the 1898 receivership. The total system now operated on 74 miles of streetcar track throughout the Twin Ports. The fare was a nickel and it looked as though public transit was here to stay. By 1920, the transit system served area residents with over 100 miles of streetcar track.
1897
Duluth-Superior Bridge Company
In 1887, the streetcar bridge between Duluth and Superior was completed and in 1900, the Duluth Street Railway Company leased for streetcar service between Duluth and Superior.
1884
Superior Public Transit
In 1884, Douglas County Street Railway Company was incorporated and authorized it to construct and operate a street railway in Superior, Wisconsin. By 1890, the company owned four horse-cars and eight horses. Electrification of the system was accomplished in 1890. The Superior Rapid Transit Company acquired the rights and properties of the Douglas County Street Railway Company in August, 1892. Additional track was constructed during 1892 and 1893, financed by mortgage bonds that were issued in 1894. However, the company defaulted on the interest payments and was placed in receivership in January, 1896.
1891
Incline Railway Built
In 1891, the Highland Improvement Company built the Incline Railway. The 1/2 mile long Incline ran up 7th Avenue West, rising to over 500 feet above Lake Superior. Huge cars big enough to carry horse & wagon teams were attached by cables to a power house at the top of the hill.
1890
First Electric Streetcar
In 1890, donkeys and old gray mares were replaced by the first electric streetcar; and in the following two years all of the rail lines were electrified. Financial difficulties forced the company into receivership for a short time during August, 1891. Between 1891 and 1897, the system expanded and additional lines were built. The Electric Railway System grew rapidly to almost 30 miles of line and track.
1883
First Mule-Drawn Rail Car Goes into Service
On July 6, 1883, many of Duluth’s 6,000 residents lined up along Superior Street to watch a mule drawn car on rails inaugurate the area’s first public transit system. The car set a brisk pace as it rolled from Third Avenue East to Eighth Avenue West a distance of eleven blocks. The original line was extended during the late 1880’s. By the end of the decade, the company was operating fifteen horse-cars and 178 mules on about 4.5 miles of track.
1881
Building the Track
It all began when the Duluth Street Railway was incorporated on October 25, 1881. The following month the Minnesota State Legislature granted the company a fifty year charter on the condition that one mile of track be operating within one year. Construction of a rail line on Superior Street between 8th Avenue West and 3rd Avenue East started in 1882 and was completed in 1883.
Our Mission
The DTA mission is to provide a public transit service that is safe, convenient, efficient and affordable for all people.