Mountain Line

Staffing Shortage Forces Temporary Schedule Cuts

Posted on April 4, 2023May 19, 2023 by Olga Kreimer

MISSOULA, Mont.—Due to an ongoing staffing shortage, Mountain Line began a temporary service modification on Monday, April 3, affecting bus frequency on Routes 8 and 12.

Instead of running at half-hour intervals during peak demand hours in the mornings and late afternoons, both routes will run hourly, allowing 10 employee hours per day to be reallocated and relieving the strain on the current workforce.

Additional service modifications affecting Routes 1 and 2 are scheduled to begin on April 16. Instead of a 15-minute service frequency, Routes 1 and 2 will run at 20-minute intervals, meaning some riders may face slight delays when waiting for connecting routes.

These reductions are expected to last for at least three months and possibly through the summer. No other route or service changes are planned, and Shuttle Van and Paratransit service will continue normally.

Mountain Line has been actively recruiting new bus operators, with a new class to begin training on April 17. In the meantime, temporarily modifying schedules allows the company to continue service without overburdening bus operators and dispatchers.

“The last thing we want to do is cut service,” says Director of Operations Jennifer Sweten. “We tried to hold off as long as we could. But with so many employees out sick during flu season, and a continuing labor shortage, we just had no choice but to relieve the pressure on our current operators.”

Revised schedules for Routes 1 and 2 will be posted shortly; schedules for Routes 8 and 12 are up to date on the Mountain Line website: Maps & Schedules – Mountain Line. The Transit app will be updated with new schedules before Route 1 and 2 changes take effect in two weeks; in the meantime, riders are advised to verify schedules on the Mountain Line website directly and watch Mountain Line’s social media channels for any updates.

Routes 8 and 12 reduced schedules:

Route 8 Outbound buses will depart from the UM Music Building hourly from 6:54 a.m. to 8:54 a.m. and from 10:24 a.m. to 8:24 p.m.

Route 8 Inbound buses will depart from Community Hospital hourly from 6:20 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and from 9:50 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.

Route 12 Outbound buses will depart from the Downtown Transfer Center hourly from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Route 12 Inbound buses will depart from 55th & Gharrett at 6 a.m., hourly from 6:58 a.m. to 12:58 p.m., from 2:28 p.m. to 4:28 p.m., and from 5:43 p.m. to 8:43 p.m.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health, and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile, and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion, and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Mountain Line Sees 21% Ridership Increase After Adding Seven-Day, Seven-Night Service

Posted on November 16, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

MISSOULA, Mont.— Mountain Line announced fixed-route ridership has increased 21% since launching seven-day and seven-night service this July. The agency provided a total of 220,429 rides on its fixed-route service in April through June of this year, compared with 267,175 rides this July through September.

“It’s fantastic to see Missoulians using the long-requested later-evening and expanded weekend service,” said Corey Aldridge, Mountain Line CEO and general manager. “This increase in ridership reinforces that Mountain Line is essential, valued and widely used.”

The agency found a 9% increase in average weekday ridership; a 59% increase in average Saturday ridership; and an average of 1,319 trips per day on its new Sunday service. A rider getting on and off the bus is considered one ride or one trip.

Mountain Line also compared fixed-route ridership from August and September of 2021 and 2022, to find overall ridership has increased 35% from last year.

	2021	2022
August	72,140	93,606
September	66,071	92,366
Total	138,211	185,972

The agency’s expanded service also benefits seniors and people living with disabilities who use Mountain Line’s Paratransit and Shuttle Van services. Paratransit ridership has increased 59% from last year during the same period.

“Mountain Line benefits us all by helping students get to school, employees get to work and seniors and those living with disabilities remain mobile and active,” said Aldridge. “Even those who don’t ride benefit from reduced traffic congestion, decreased parking demand, cleaner air and a healthier, more equitable community.”

The July service expansion was a direct response to public input gathered during Mountain Line’s strategic planning process that began in 2017 and culminated in 2020 when voters approved the agency’s service-expansion initiative by a 20% margin. While the timeline for service expansions was impacted by the national labor shortage in 2021, the agency successfully grew from 58 employees in 2021 to 100 in 2022, allowing the expansion to take place.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Mountain Line Bus Operator Receives Statewide Acclaim

Posted on September 22, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

*Mountain Line bus operators Scott Nelson and Bryan Ursery pose for a photo at the Montana Transit Association meeting this month, celebrating Ursery receiving the Carey Pope Award.*

MISSOULA, Mont.— Bryan Ursery has been providing safe, reliable service to Missoulians as a Mountain Line bus operator for 23 years. His safety record is equally long, having never had a preventable accident in all that time. Ursery’s dedication to his field, his outstanding customer service to his riders, and his encouragement of his peers earned him the Carey Pope Award, equivalent to a lifetime achievement, bestowed by the Montana Transit Association at their annual conference last week.

“Bryan always goes above and beyond to make riders, coworkers, and community members feel welcomed and valued,” said Jennifer Sweten, Director of Operations. “He remembers the smallest details shared about your life and asks follow-up questions months later when you board his bus or pass him in the hall. He is respected by peers and loved by riders.”

Ursery has also won multiple internal agency awards for his dedication to his position since starting with Mountain Line in 1999. At the agency level, Ursery has won “Operations Employee of the Year” four times; “Perfect Attendance” seven times; and “Outstanding Customer Service” three times.

He also continues to prioritize honing his own skills as an operator and has been a frequent competitor in the Bus Roadeo, a state and national event that pits bus operators from different agencies against each other in a safety-based obstacle course. Ursery has won the Montana statewide Roadeo Division I title six times (’00, ’04, ’07, ’11, ’14, ’19) and took first place in the American Public Transportation Association’s national Customer Service Challenge at the International Bus Roadeo in Memphis, Tennessee in 2011.

“Bryan is an exemplary employee and bus operator, one we are lucky to have on our team,” said Sweten. “He is humble, invested in his transit family, and well deserving of this award.”

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Mountain Line launched seven-day and seven-night service in July 2022, putting 30% more service on the road. The agency was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. Mountain Line also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent, to average more than 1.5 million rides annually, pre-pandemic. Mountain Line helps students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.

Senator Tester’s Staff Tours Mountain Line Facility

Posted on August 26, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

Tim VanReken, a Legislative Fellow with U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s office, and Jennifer Sweten, Director of Operations at Mountain Line, look at the mechanics of a battery-electric bus in Mountain Line’s maintenance bay.

MISSOULA, Mont.— Mountain Line welcomed Tim VanReken, a Legislative Fellow with U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s Office (D-MT), for a facility tour Thursday. VanReken spent the morning reviewing Mountain Line’s electrification efforts and learning about the agency’s plans to convert to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035.

“We’ve learned a lot in the last three years about charging infrastructure, battery capacity, and the mechanics of maintaining an electric fleet,” said Jennifer Sweten, Director of Operations at Mountain Line. “We’re sharing what we’ve learned with officials and other transit agencies to demonstrate the value of federal support and to help other agencies transition as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Mountain Line was awarded a $10 million Low or No Emissions grant from the Federal Transit Administration on August 16, which will allow the agency to purchase 10 new battery-electric buses and bring its fleet to 90% electric by the end of the decade. The Low or No Emissions Grant Program received a $1.05 billion increase in funding as a direct result of Tester’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; both Tester and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) provided bi-partisan support for Mountain Line’s most recent grant application. Two other Montana agencies also received FTA funding for bus infrastructure improvements.

“Every day, folks in the Treasure State rely on public transit to commute to work, get their kids to school, shop at their local businesses, and enjoy all that Big Sky Country has to offer,” Tester said in an email to Mountain Line staff preceding VanReken’s visit. “This funding for upgrading buses and bus stations across Montana will pay dividends for working families, small businesses, and our climate. I’m proud to have secured cutting-edge investments like this one that will modernize Montana’s transit infrastructure and power our local economies for years to come.”

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Mountain Line launched seven-day and seven-night service in July 2022, putting 30% more service on the road. The agency was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. Mountain Line  also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent, to average more than 1.5 million rides annually, pre-pandemic. Mountain Line helps students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.

Mountain Line Awarded $10 M Federal Grant to Purchase New Electric Buses

Posted on August 16, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

Largest grant ever awarded will bring agency’s fixed-route fleet to 90% electric

MISSOULA, Mont.— Mountain Line is committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, and thanks to a $10 million Low or No Emissions grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration Tuesday, the agency’s fixed-route fleet will be 90% of the way there this decade.

“This award will greatly benefit the Missoula Valley airshed by helping Mountain Line further reduce its carbon footprint to keep our air clean,” said Corey Aldridge, Mountain Line CEO and general manager. “While public transportation is already part of the solution as we work toward a more sustainable future, we want to go even further by making Missoula’s public transportation as clean as possible.”

Replacing aging diesel buses with zero-tailpipe-emission buses will reduce Mountain Line’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 586 metric tons and prevent the release of 17.5 pounds of particulate matter from entering the Missoula valley airshed annually.

“To quantify these positive benefits another way, this reduction in emissions and particulate matter results in a social cost saving of an estimated $64,000 each year,” said Mountain Line Projects and Planning Manager, Colin Woodrow. “Our transition to an electric fleet benefits all Missoulians by protecting our air quality for a healthier community and planet.”

Additionally, operating battery electric buses instead of comparable modern fossil-fuel buses will reduce the amount of energy that Mountain Line uses each year by 6,030 gigajoules. That energy is equivalent to 100 years’ worth of gas for the average American car driver every year.

Mountain Line was an early adopter of battery-electric bus (BEB) technology in the U.S., debuting its first six electric buses in the summer of 2019. Now, with 12 BEBs in service, Mountain Line has become a resource for agencies across the country looking to make the same transition.

“We’ve learned a lot in the last three years about charging infrastructure, battery capacity in cold weather, and the mechanics of maintaining an electric fleet,” said Aldridge. “We’re sharing what we’ve learned with other transit agencies to help them transition as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Mountain Line’s leadership in transitioning to BEBs played a key role in securing this most recent grant, the largest received in the agency’s 45 years, as did robust community and congressional support. The grant application received bi-partisan support from Senators Daines and Tester, and local support from the Missoula County Commissioners, the late Mayor John Engen, University of Montana, Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Clearwater Credit Union, Homeword, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation, Climate Smart Missoula, City of Missoula Climate Action, MMW Architects, and Missoula Midtown Association.

The award is the fourth, and largest, Low or No Emissions grant Mountain Line has received in the last five years.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent, to average more than 1.5 million rides annually pre-pandemic. Mountain Line helps students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.

Mountain Line to Expand to Seven-Day Service on July 10

Posted on June 28, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

Service will increase by 30% to include Sundays and extended evening hours

MISSOULA, Mont.—Starting July 10, Mountain Line will expand to seven-day service by adding Sunday service for the first time ever and operating later into the evening, increasing service by 30%.

“This is a transformative moment for Mountain Line,” said Corey Aldridge, Mountain Line CEO and general manager. “We’re grateful to be fully staffed and able to make our dream of seven-day service a reality this summer.”

This service expansion is a direct response to public input gathered during Mountain Line’s strategic planning process that began in 2017 and culminated in 2020 when voters approved the agency’s service-expansion initiative by a 20% margin. While the timeline for service expansions was impacted by the national labor shortage in 2021, the agency has successfully grown from 58 employees in April of 2021, to 100 employees in April of this year.

Highlights of the July 10service expansion include:

Sunday service from 9 AM to 9 PM*
Saturday service from 9 AM to 10:45 PM*
Expanded weekday hours, from 6 AM to 10:45 PM*
All-day service on Routes 4 & 11

*Hours vary by route.

These service expansions will benefit fixed-route riders, and seniors and people living with disabilities who use Mountain Line’s Paratransit and Shuttle Van services.

Also starting July 10, the agency will be changing some routing on Routes 3, 5 and 11, (details available online), and increasing service on holidays. Effective the same date, Mountain Line will operate every day except New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

“Mountain Line benefits us all by helping students get to school, employees get to work and seniors and those living with disabilities remain mobile and active. Even those who don’t ride benefit from reduced traffic congestion, decreased parking demand and cleaner air,” said Jesse Dodson, Missoula Urban Transportation District board chair. “We’re excited to amplify these benefits this summer to help build a healthier, more equitable community.”

Detailed schedules and more information can be found at mountainline.com/service-expansion.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Mountain Line Launches Route Race in Time for Earth Week

Posted on April 13, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

For Immediate Release April 13, 2022

MISSOULA –Launching Earth Week, Mountain Line will host a week-long, “Amazing Race”-style Route Race. Missoulians are encouraged to try their hand at solving clues as they use the bus to venture across Missoula, earning a grand-prize entry at their final check-in location.

Route Race participants will receive their first clue Monday morning, April 18, at 8:00 AM, by visiting Mountain Line’s website or watching the agency’s social media channels. Participants will need to use a smartphone to scan QR codes at each race check-in location and will need email access to receive their next clue. All Route Race locations have a QR code posted in an exterior-facing window and participants are kindly asked not to enter businesses looking for the next clue.

There are five check-in locations in the race. In order to earn an entry for the grand-prize drawing, racers must check in at all stops by 11:59 PM, Saturday, April 23. The grand-prize package includes the following prizes, generously donated by local businesses and organizations:

$25 Downtown Missoula gift card.
Western Montana Fair t-shirt, poster, and GA ticket to an event of your choice (including the rodeo, Xtreme Bulls, and motorsports).
1-year membership with Run Wild Missoula + a FREE race entry into one of the 2022 RWM running events (with a few exceptions) + RWM swag.
Rockin Rudy’s Hydro Flask.
5-punch pass to The Roxy Theater.
Mountain Line swag.

The Route Race is part of Mountain Line’s month-long Spring Shift campaign. The campaign is focused on encouraging Missoulians to shift their behaviors to be more sustainable as we head into warmer weather. Spring Shift has multiple facets, including the Route Race, month-long sustainability Challenges and a family-friendly Scavenger Hunt.

Get your first clue in the Route Race at https://mountainline.com/spring-shift-route-race.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Mayor Declares March 18 Transit Operator Appreciation Day

Posted on March 15, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2022

MISSOULA – Mayor John Engen proclaimed March 18, 2022, as Transit Operator Appreciation Day during City Council Monday night.

The proclamation honors Mountain Line and UDASH bus operators for their vital role in building a healthy, vibrant community by helping Missoulians and University of Montana students get to work, school, medical appointments, and other important locations.

“Public transit operators help to build our community by knowing their passengers, celebrating their successes, aiding in times of crisis and greeting them every day with friendly faces,” City Council President, Gwen Jones, read from the proclamation Monday night on behalf of the mayor.

***Above***: Mountain Line bus operators Yulianus Kogoya (left) and Dave Stalling (right) began their transit careers driving for UDASH. Kogoya earned his B.A. in Geography last year, with a focus on water and sustainability, and conducted independent research in transit planning while at UM. Stalling earned an M.A. in creative writing and enjoys providing accessible transportation throughout Missoula, while continuing to write and publish in his off time.

Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Corey Aldridge recognized that this week marks the two-year anniversary of when many Missoula residents were packing up their offices to shelter at home. He acknowledged that it has been a trying two years of operations, from navigating the pandemic and staffing shortages, to living in a politically-charged time.

“Now is the time, more than ever, to lean into renewing the strength of our community,” said Aldridge. “I have so much pride in our team and am continually inspired by how much our employees truly care about their riders and all Missoulians. I’m grateful to Mayor Engen for showing our team that our community cares about them in turn.”

Jordan Hess, director of transportation at the University of Montana, which oversees UDASH service to UM, said the proclamation was an important and meaningful way to honor the frontline service provided by bus operators in both normal and challenging times.

“Over the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for students. During this time, transit operators never stopped working, making it possible for students to travel between class, work, home, shopping, and recreation, safely and efficiently,” Hess said. “For many students, UDASH and Mountain Line made it possible for them to continue their education throughout a very challenging time.”

While ridership fell significantly during the pandemic for both agencies as workers telecommuted, students transitioned to online learning, and non-essential travel was discouraged, bus operators continued to serve thousands of people each week. And ridership has continued to rise over the months.

“We continue the journey to full recovery from the pandemic, and we have seen ridership across both systems steadily increase over the past year,” said Hess. “Public transportation will continue to play a critical role in Missoula’s mobility landscape.”

Aldridge agreed, stating that access to reliable public transportation will be key in moving Missoula forward toward a more equitable, sustainable future.

“Zero-fare public transportation helps make Missoula more livable and vibrant,” Aldridge said. “However, none of these benefits to our community would be possible without the hardworking individuals at Mountain Line and UDASH, who show up each day to provide that service.”

To honor Missoula’s Transit Bus Operators, members of the public are invited to share their gratitude by visiting mountainline.com/thanks-operations-team or by engaging with either agency on social media:

Facebook: @MountainLineTransit and @umtransportation.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

The Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) provide services to enhance the student experience, advocate for the rights of all University of Montana (UM) students as a unified body and build a system of trust and transparency among students, faculty and staff. ASUM’s Office of Transportation operates the UDASH transit system—one of the only student-run public transportation systems in the country. Through student government and employment opportunities, ASUM helps train the next generation of transit professionals.

Mountain Line Reaches Milestone of 40% Electric in Time for Clean Air Month

Posted on January 4, 2022May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

For immediate release: January 4, 2022

MISSOULA – Mountain Line has reached a major milestone toward its goal of a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, announcing this month that 40% of its fixed-route bus fleet is now battery electric. This announcement comes as part of the agency’s celebration of Clean Air Month, observed in January.

Transportation – including cars, buses, trucks, trains and planes – is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the Missoula Valley, according to a 2017 study. Choosing alternate modes of transportation, like walking, biking, or taking the bus, is one of the best ways Missoulians can lower their personal carbon footprint and help improve local air quality.

“While public transportation is already part of the solution, we’re taking it a step further by making our fleet more sustainable,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager, Corey Aldridge. “Mountain Line has been an early adopter of battery-electric bus technology in the United States, which further lowers our tailpipe emissions to help keep our valley air clean and community healthy.”

Mountain Line first introduced battery-electric buses in 2019, starting with a six-bus pilot project funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s Low-or-No Emissions grant program. After a successful trial, the agency secured additional grant funding to introduce six more electric buses into the fleet over the past five months. This brings the agency’s total to 12 battery-electric out of 29 fixed-route buses.

“We’ve learned a lot about operating an electric fleet in Montana, from weather’s impact on battery life to high-voltage mechanics,” said Aldridge. “Through our lessons learned, we’ve found a viable way forward and have become a resource for agencies across the nation ready to make a similar transition.”

Mountain Line was recognized for its accomplishments last year by the American Public Transportation Association, earning the distinction of 2021 Outstanding Public Transportation System in North America in its size. A significant factor in receiving this award was the agency’s rapid transition to electric.

“We are moving more quickly than I could have predicted toward our goal of a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035,” said Aldridge. “This success is due in large part to strong community support from our riders, the voters, Montana’s senators, and our Zero-Fare Partners.”

Mountain Line must compete for grant funding to purchase each electric bus. The agency is more competitive for funding when able to demonstrate strong community support. A combination of overwhelming voter approval for expanded service during the 2020 election, support from Montana’s Senators, and strong Zero-Fare Partnerships helped the agency secure a third Low-or-No Emissions grant from the FTA in 2021, allowing it to purchase four additional electric buses set to be ordered next year.

Mountain Line’s 26 Zero-Fare Partners can be viewed in a series of clean-air banners on the Beartracks Bridge this month. The agency also plans to debut a short, informational video series about its electric buses on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube in the coming weeks.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Mountain Line Celebrates 44 Years This December

Posted on December 13, 2021May 19, 2023 by Shanti Johnson

December 10, 2021

MISSOULA – Mountain Line, Missoula’s community bus service, celebrates its 44^th anniversary this month. To commemorate this milestone, staff will be riding along various routes the week of December 13^th, passing out Mountain Line swag and treats to riders.

Mountain Line began operating on December 12, 1977, with just three routes and four buses based in East Missoula. Since then, Mountain Line has grown into a robust public transportation agency, providing an average of 1.5 million rides annually across 70 square miles in the Missoula Valley, all at zero-fare.

“I am humbled by all our agency has accomplished in forty-four years, thanks to our forward-thinking staff, board of directors, and community,” said CEO and General Manager, Corey Aldridge. “Mountain Line is now a leader among small urban networks, paving the way on initiatives like transitioning to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet and debuting safety and technology efforts often only seen at larger agencies.”

Mountain Line was recognized for its accomplishments this year by the American Public Transportation Association, earning APTA’s top distinction of 2021 Outstanding Public Transportation System in North America in its size. This award recognized Mountain Line’s efforts to create a more equitable, accessible community, among other accomplishments.

“Mountain Line benefits us all, from getting people where they need to go, to helping keep our valley air clean,” said Aldridge. “We’re excited to amplify those benefits moving into our forty-fourth year, by offering seven-day and seven-night service in the months to come.”

Last year, Missoula voters overwhelming approved a plan to expand Mountain Line’s service to include Sundays and later evenings. The agency is prepared to debut that expanded service once adequately staffed. To learn more about upcoming expansions, or to start your new career, visit mountainline.com.

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Mountain Line was named the top public transit agency in North America in its size in 2021, earning the American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The agency also won the Montana Transit Association statewide safety award in 2021. Committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035, Mountain Line has a long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Since becoming a zero-fare system in 2015, ridership has increased nearly 70 percent. During normal times, Mountain Line provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and seniors and those living with disabilities stay active, mobile and independent. By reducing the number of single vehicles on the road, lessening traffic congestion and investing in electric buses, Mountain Line benefits us all.   

Category: News