Due to construction, the bus stop at W. Broadway St. and Sherwood St. on the Inbound Route 2 is temporarily closed. Old Montana Highway 200 road construction at the entrance to Marshall Mountain road, will be under construction to repair erosion on the river bank. Which will included demoing half of the Highway. This construction will start by the end of June and continue till middle of November. No Bus Stops will be affected but we could see some time delays. Due to construction, the bus stop at W. Broadway St. and Sherwood St. on the Inbound Route 2 is temporarily closed.
Category: News
Temporary Stop Closure: W. Broadway & Sherwood St
Due to construction, the bus stop at W. Broadway St. and Sherwood St. on the Inbound Route 2 is temporarily closed.
Airport Stop Temporarily Relocated
Due to construction, the Route 11 bus stop at the airport will be moved to the corner of Aviation Way and Johnson Bell Dr. for the foreseeable future, as shown on the map below. Thanks, riders!
Route 8: Temporary Stop Closure At North & Kemp
Due to construction, the bus stop on the inbound Route 8 at North and Kemp is temporarily closed. It is expected to reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, June 16.
Southgate Mall: Temporary Stop Relocation
Anyone traveling to or from Southgate mall this afternoon, June 4, should note there is a “Caps & Cars” parade going on to celebrate the class of 2020. The Southgate bus stop will be temporarily moved to the north end of the mall around 3 p.m. today, next to Dillard’s, until the parade concludes around 5 p.m.
Also, a reminder that even though we’ve returned to mostly regular service*, all COVID-19 precautions are still in place. These include:
- Mandatory Face Coverings.
- All riders over the age of 2 and medically able must wear a mask or cloth face covering while onboard.
- Rear Door Boarding, unless assistance is required.
- Physical Distancing Zone 6ft behind each operator.
- Vehicles are Sanitized Multiple Times Daily.
- Please Wash Your Hands before & after riding.
*Route 8 will operate during peak hours only. Shuttle Van service is still suspended. Full schedules here.
Temporary Stop Closures
Due to construction, stops on Van Buren St, between Holly St & Cherry St, and at the intersection of Richard Dr & Rattlesnake Dr, are temporarily closed. We expect stops to reopen tomorrow, Tues, June 2. Reminder, we are now operating regular service hours. To find the most up-to-date schedules, please click here. All COVID-19 precautions are still in place.
Mountain Line To Expand Service, Maintain COVID-19 Precautions
MISSOULA – Effective Monday, June 1, Mountain Line will return to operating regular fixed-route and paratransit service with two exceptions. First, Route 8 will only operate during peak service hours until further notice. Second, Mountain Line’s Shuttle Van service will remain suspended for the time being. The Downtown Transfer Center lobby will also open June 1.
All COVID-19 precautions will remain in place, including the requirement that all riders over the age of 2 and medically able must wear a mask or other cloth face covering while onboard. Also still in place is rear door boarding, unless boarding assistance is required; a restricted physical-distancing zone behind each operator; and the intensive cleaning and disinfection of buses and equipment multiple times daily.
“While Missoula has not had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in many weeks, there continue to be new cases across the state and nation,” said Jennifer Sweten, director of operations at Mountain Line. “Requiring face coverings be worn by all who can provides an added layer of protection to our passengers and employees.”
Mountain Line has made it through the pandemic thus far without a single employee contracting the virus. Mountain Line credits this success in large part to the attention and dedication to safety by all employees and the quick adoption of best practices as outlined by the CDC and Missoula City-County Health Department for guarding against the spread of COVID-19.
“The effect of our state entering Phase Two on ridership is unknown, but we expect numbers to slowly increase over the coming months,” said Mountain Line General Manager, Corey Aldridge. “It’s important as we transition to operating in a new normal that we remain vigilant in protecting against the spread of COVID-19, while also moving forward to fulfill our mission of serving this community to benefit us all.”
Transit agencies across the county have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and many agencies temporarily adopted zero-fare models during the height of the pandemic, like that already in place at Mountain Line, to decrease the chances of exposure for operators. One unexpected outcome of the pandemic for Mountain Line is that its Zero-fare program, in place since 2015, has positioned the agency as a national leader in zero-fare transit for agencies across the U.S. looking to make the transition permanent.
Like many agencies, Mountain Line is adapting to operating in a new normal and will continue to work closely with local health officials to put the health and safety of our community first.
“What the future holds for Mountain Line and transit in general is unknown,” said Sweten. “But we will continue to adapt and evolve into a new, stronger Mountain Line as we move forward.”
For schedules effective Monday, June 1, please visit https://www.mountainline.com/maps-schedules/route-schedules/.
DEQ Awards Grant to Mountain Line to Replace Diesel Transit Buses with Energy-Efficient Models
Grant Comes from Montana’s Share of Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Settlement
HELENA—The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has awarded a $1 million grant to Mountain Line in Missoula to purchase two electric public transit buses and charging stations. Mountain Line is Missoula’s community bus service operated by the Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD).
The two buses funded through the grant will join Mountain Line’s current fleet for a total of eight electric buses. Transitioning to electric buses helps reach the goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from the transportation district’s fleet by 2035.
“Clean air is important to the health of everyone in our community”, said MUTD Board Chair, Jesse Dodson. “As Mountain Line continues converting its fleet to cleaner vehicles with DEQ’s support, it is taking action to protect our valley’s air quality long into the future. This is truly a win-win for our community and state.”
Missoula Mayor John Engen added, “I can’t think of a better way to put money designated for improving our environment than an investment in Missoula’s Mountain Line. Clean buses, providing essential transportation for any Missoulian at no cost to the passenger, has proven to be a great equalizer and, in some cases, a lifesaver for our low-income neighbors, friends and family members.”
DEQ issued a call for grant applications in January of 2019. The grant is the first under the new Montana Clean Transportation Program that will distribute Montana’s $12.6 million share of the national Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Settlement funds.
In 2016, the United States settled claims against Volkswagen concerning the use of devices installed in certain VW diesel cars sold between 2009-2016 that were intended to defeat emissions tests. These devices allowed the vehicles to emit up to 40 times the level of nitrogen oxide pollution allowed under the Clean Air Act. Replacing diesel vehicles with electric and alternative fuel options not only reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, but has the added benefit of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the transportation sector.
“The Montana Clean Transportation Program was created to help lower emissions and improve air quality statewide,” said DEQ Director Shaun McGrath. “DEQ looks forward to continuing to support communities through grants to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions for healthier air.”
DEQ is opening a new grant and accepting applications for its Clean Transit Bus program. The purpose is to replace community transit buses with clean battery electric and alternative fuel buses. The grant applications will be reviewed on a regular basis through April 1, 2021, or as long as funding remains available. Total available funding for transit bus replacements is $3.6 million. The first application deadline is July 1, 2020.
For more information on the available grants, visit DEQ’s website at: https://deq.mt.gov/Energy/transportation/VW-Settlement-Page
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About DEQ:
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is charged with protecting a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed by our State Constitution. Our ultimate goal is to protect public health and to maintain Montana’s high quality of life for current and future generations. For more information about DEQ programs, visit: deq.mt.gov
About Mountain Line:
In 2020, Mountain Line committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035. This commitment solidified Mountain Line’s long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Mountain Line became a Zero-fare system in 2015, made possible through partnerships with local government, businesses and nonprofits. Since the debut of Zero-fare, ridership has increased 70 percent. Mountain Line now provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and helping seniors and people 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 Requires Face Coverings, Ramps Up Service
Starting Monday, May 11, Mountain Line riders will be required to wear a mask or other cloth covering their nose and mouth while on board all fixed-route buses and paratransit vehicles. Also effective Monday, Routes 1 and 2 will return to operating on 15-minute frequencies. For the time being, COVID-19-adjusted hours are still in effect, with service offered from 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
“We thank all riders in advance for covering their faces while on board,” said Director of Operations, Jennifer Sweten. “Wearing a face covering is an important step we can take to protect one another from the spread of COVID-19, especially as our community reopens and ridership increases. My mask protects you and your mask protects me.”
The requirement to wear a face covering does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition.
Mountain Line is still asking all riders to use its services only as needed and to follow all best practices for guarding against COVID-19 as outlined by the Missoula City-County Health Department.
“We have already begun to see an increase in ridership as Missoula reopens and we are monitoring capacity closely,” said Sweten. “Restoring 15-minute service on Routes 1 and 2 is in direct response to the need for more physical distancing space for riders along those routes.”
All COVID-19 safety measures are still in place, including allocated physical-distancing space behind each bus operator, rear-door boarding unless assistance is required, and the sanitizing of all vehicles multiple times daily. The Downtown Transfer Center will remain closed until further notice, though Ninja Mike’s is still open with takeout available from the curbside window.
Updated route schedules are available at www.mountainline.com/covid19.
In April 2020, Mountain Line committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035. This commitment solidified Mountain Line’s long-standing commitment to clean air, public health and a more sustainable future. Mountain Line became a Zero-fare system in 2015, made possible through partnerships with local government, businesses and nonprofits. Since the debut of Zero-fare, ridership has increased 70 percent. Mountain Line now provides more than 1.5 million rides annually, helping students get to school, employees get to work, and helping seniors and people 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.
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South & Higgins: Temporary Stop Closures
Due to road construction at the intersection of South and Higgins, bus stops at South & Higgins, Higgins & Sussex and South & Gerald are temporarily closed. We expect these stops to reopen Friday, May 8. Thank you for your patience and happy Monday!