On Tuesday, March 25, Mountain Line will host a live “Ask Me Anything” post on the Missoula subreddit from noon to 3 p.m. Hop online to ask your questions about what it’s like behind the scenes at your local public transit agency!

As part of an ongoing strategic planning process, Mountain Line riders are invited to share their thoughts about two proposed scenarios for updated routing and service alternatives. The survey deadline has been extended through Wednesday, September 18.

See interactive scenario maps and share your feedback at the survey link here, and read more about the planning process at Engage Missoula.

July 26, 2024

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD) Board of Directors announced on July 25 that they have selected Jordan Hess as the next CEO and General Manager of the agency after conducting a national search to fill the position. 

Hess is a local government and transportation professional who served as an elected official for ten years, first on the Missoula City Council and recently as the city’s 51st mayor.

Concurrent with his City Council service, Hess spent nearly a decade as Director of Transportation at the University of Montana, where he led UM to be the first college campus in the nation to purchase and operate modern, fast-charging battery electric buses.

“The Board values Jordan’s deep knowledge of Missoula and his experience running a transit system, and we are eager to welcome his expertise and vision to this role,” says Board Vice Chair Amy Cilimburg, who was involved in the search committee for MUTD’s new leadership. “We’re also profoundly grateful to Interim General Manager Jennifer Sweten for deftly stewarding Mountain Line through this transition.” 

Sweten has served as Interim GM since previous CEO & GM Corey Aldridge’s departure in April and will resume her role as Director of Operations once Hess joins the Mountain Line staff.

“The team at Mountain Line is doing so much great work, and I’m excited to join them,” says Hess. “Public transit has immense power to make lives better, and I’m honored to become part of such a committed staff to work on something I’m passionate about in a place I love.” 

This change comes during a busy season for Mountain Line. The public transit agency has partnered with the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization for a strategic planning process to update the city’s Long-Range Transit Plan and develop a new Transit Strategic Plan that will account for changes in the transit industry and ridership habits in recent years and build on the successes from the 2018 Strategic Plan.

Meanwhile, MUTD’s electrification efforts continue with delivery of four new electric buses this summer to replace aging diesel vehicles. These buses will make the fixed-route fleet 55% electric, a milestone in Mountain Line’s commitment to a zero-tailpipe emissions fleet by 2035.

About Mountain Line:

Mountain Line connects Missoulians to the community through safe, sustainable, and innovative transportation solutions. Operated by the Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD) since 1976, Mountain Line provides zero-fare fixed-route bus and Paratransit service in and around Missoula seven days a week.

Mountain Line was recognized as the top public transit agency of its size in North America in 2021 by the American Public Transportation Association and named System of the Year in 2023 by the Montana Transit Association.

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March 29, 2024

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD/Mountain Line) Board of Directors has appointed Jennifer Sweten as the agency’s Interim General Manager. Sweten will step into the role after CEO and General Manager Corey Aldridge’s departure in mid-April.

“Jennifer’s appointment reflects her exceptional leadership qualities and her deep understanding of our operations,” says Aldridge. “Her track record as Operations Director assures us that she is more than capable of steering MUTD through this transitional phase.”

Sweten has worked for Mountain Line for 17 years, beginning her tenure as a bus operator in 2007 and serving as Director of Operations for the past five years. She is active in numerous regional and national industry associations and was recently elected secretary of the American Public Transportation Association Safety Coordinating Council. Sweten is also a Certified Safety & Security Director, with certifications from the World Safety Organization, the Transportation Safety Institute, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The board plans to hold a nationwide search for MUTD’s new CEO & General Manager.

March 8, 2024

MISSOULA, Mont.—After nine years as the CEO and General Manager of the Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD/Mountain Line), Corey Aldridge announced this week that he will be leaving the agency in April to take the CEO and General Manager position at Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District in Santa Cruz, California.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision,” says Aldridge. “I have been honored to lead an extraordinary team in working on MUTD’s growth and success, and I will always treasure my time in Missoula and at Mountain Line.”

Aldridge’s tenure at Mountain Line saw significant achievements for the agency that have reshaped public transportation in Missoula. Noteworthy among these accomplishments were the fleet’s transition toward electrification, extensive service expansions, and critical infrastructure improvements. The recent completion of the Bus Stop Improvement Project modernized the bus stop network to enhance safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency. After a successful ballot initiative in 2020, Mountain Line launched a 30% service increase, including Sunday service for the very first time. In 2023, MUTD secured almost $40 million dollars in federal funds for the construction of a new maintenance, administration, and operations base, a key step for future growth and service enhancements. The agency has also been an industry leader in its electrification efforts since 2017, consistently winning federal funding for battery-electric buses as part of its commitment to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035.

“These accomplishments have been the highlights of my tenure, demonstrating our shared dedication to delivering exceptional service, promoting sustainability, and serving our community,” says Aldridge.

In 2021, Mountain Line was chosen as the American Public Transit Association’s System of the Year for North America, a testament to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Aldridge and his team.

“Corey has been an exemplary leader for Mountain Line, not only because of his vision for public transit in Missoula, but also because of his character,” says Director of Operations Jennifer Sweten. “He understands the importance of an empathetic, inclusive workplace, and that has fostered a truly welcoming environment at Mountain Line over the last nine years.”

Aldridge will be leaving Mountain Line on April 12. The MUTD Board of Directors is expected to name an interim General Manager at their March 28 meeting.