Timber Trails Public Transit offers low-cost rides within our service area that helps people get to where they want to go!
How it Works
- Anyone can ride Timber Trails!
- Children of all ages are welcome! Bring a car seat if your child needs one. *Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless special arrangements have been made.
- People with disabilities! We can carry items like walkers, wheelchairs, or oxygen tanks. All buses have lifts. *For those with hearing or speech disabilities dial 711 to be connected to Minnesota Relay services.
- Medical transportation! Rides are available for non-emergency medical appointments and other visits for those individuals on medical assistance.
The Ride Process
Schedule your ride.
Contact us at (320) 364.1350 to schedule your ride. Need a ride each week or once a month? No problem, we can schedule those in advance too. *New riders will answer a few simple questions.
Ride requests need to be made by 1:00pm the day before the scheduled ride. Rides scheduled after that time are subject to the “same day” fare of .50 more each way.
Get picked up.
The bus will meet you at the curb for your pick-up at the scheduled time and location. Please be ready 15 minutes prior to your arranged pick-up time. Be visible to the driver and watch for the bus. Drivers can only wait 3-5 minutes before they must leave to make other stops.
Busses provide curb-to-curb service. However, if you require additional assistance to/from your front door, this can be arranged but must be requested in advance.
Pay your fare.
You will pay for the cost of your ride when you get on the bus. There is a fare box where you can leave payment or pre-purchased fare tickets.
The cost to ride with Timber Trails is:
- $3.00 in-town round trip that is scheduled at least one day in advance.
- $4.00 in-town schedule the day of the ride.
OR
- $5.00 out-of-town, round trip scheduled at least one day in advance.
- $6.00 out-of-town, schedule the day of the ride.
Buy 10 ride tickets and the 11th ride is free!
- In-town ticket pack of 11 = $15
- Out-of-town ticket pack of 11 = $25
Each ticket is a one-way ticket and does not expire.
If you require a caretaker to accompany you to appointments or to assist with getting on or off the bus, caretakers ride free of charge.
Ride home.
When you’re ready to be picked up, give us a call at (320) 364.1350 and the driver will be dispatched to come pick you up.
New Rider
If you are a new or first-time rider please have this information ready when contacting us:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Home address (and directions if needed)
- Source of payment
- Requested pick-up time and appointment time (if needed)
- Destination address
- Number of riders
- If you will be using a wheelchair, scooter, or walker.
If your ride will be paid for by Medical Assistance or a managed care provider, also have:
- Your Medicaid or Member ID number
- Responsible County
- Name of your case manager or social worker (if you have one)
*Our dispatchers will verify eligibility prior to scheduling your ride.
Rider Guidelines
Please review the Rider Guidelines.
Service Area Map
All trips depend on bus availability, which includes the number of riders and the distance to be traveled.
Timber Trails FAQs
Isn’t the bus just for seniors?
No. It’s true that the bus service in Kanabec County started out as Senior Bus Services. When funding became available through MN/DOT, services were expanded and became public transit – open to riders of all ages for all reasons.
Are the buses accessible if you use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility device?
All of Timber Trails’ buses are lift equipped and drivers have special training for mobility device use and securement. All mobility devices must be secured safely during transport. Our riders’ safety is our number one priority.
Can I get a ride in the evenings or on the weekends?
The buses run Monday – Friday with varying times that depend on the city you are in. Common Carrier/Volunteer Driver rides can be scheduled for almost any time, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as long as we can find a driver. They need to be scheduled in advance.
If I go on the bus, how can I make sure that the bus will come and get me when I’m ready to go home?
Bus drivers have manifests or electronic tables with ride information for each person that they’ll be picking up. Drivers don’t go off duty until they’ve made sure that everyone on their list is accounted for. Dispatch also maintains contact with drivers by way of 2-way radio to ensure that all riders are picked up.
How do I pay for my ride?
The fare for riding the bus is $3.00 for a round trip in town and $5.00 for a round trip if you’re out of town. Same day rides cost an extra .50 cents each way. You can pay for your ride in cash or with tickets purchased from Timber Trails. When you board the bus there is a fare box right beside the driver, you just drop your money or tickets in. Currently your round-trip fare will get you unlimited stops. Say you want to go to the grocery store and the convenience store and stop to eat at a restaurant, each part of the trip is covered in your $3.00/$5.00 fare.
Do the buses run on holidays?
We are closed on holidays observed by the federal government including:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
- Independence Day – July 4
- Labor Day – First Monday in September
- Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November
- Friday After Thanksgiving – Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve – December 24
- Christmas Day – December 25