CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) - A new bus service connecting several northwestern Minnesota cities could be operating as early as Jan. 15.

The bus line will stop in 18 communities overall, including Crookston, Thief River Falls and the Grand Forks area. Federal funds will pay half the cost of providing the service, with a goal of testing whether bus service is a viable transportation alternative in rural areas.

The idea for the bus service originated with Crookston and Thief River Falls employers who were concerned about the effect of rising gas prices on their employees. Gas prices have dipped since then, but the transportation chief of the new bus venture says that will give the chance to work out the kinks in the event gas prices go back up.