MINOT, ND (KXNET) -- Get on and Go. That's what the City of Minot's newest transit center will be for the nearly 500 people it could potentially accommodate throughout the day. With eight bus routes that serve close to 95% of the Magic City, a new transit center was needed. After close to eight years of the city using the Minot Municipal Auditorium for the city's bus routes, the transit superintendent for the city, Brian Horinka, says the project is a part of something much bigger. "So 11 years ago, during a transit study we had done, there was a need show for a new transfer center down here in the central part of Minot. Right in downtown, there's been a big push to revitalize the downtown so we wanted to play into it," said Horinka. The project started construction back in April after the City had taken over the parking garage next to City Hall. Costs for the project are close to $650,000, but getting funding wasn't as difficult with strong support from the community. "80% of that funding was provided by grant money from the DOT, but at that time, the DOT was managing those funds from the federal government, so they gave us that and we went to the council for the additional 20% for the matching funds that are required when receiving federal grants like that for a project like this they were very supportive," said Horinka. With a centralized area for transit, Horinka thinks that more people will be able to come through downtown and help local businesses. "Obviously, the downtown people are very excited to have us down here and be able to bring people all day long back and forth and use their different businesses and things they have down here," said Horinka. For one frequent user of the city transit system, the new center is definitely a sigh of relief. "Once I heard the routes were coming closer, I walked up to job service and I realized they were closer to my apartment than I thought so it helps get to places we need to," said Sam Lee, a transit rider. She adds that the center will be a big help for people with disabilities to access transportation. "It helps the people, you know, with disabilities to get around more easily especially those in wheelchairs, stuff like that. It makes it easier for them to get around to as well I appreciate that this has that for people with the wheelchairs," said Lee. For questions about bus routes, the transit center office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW