Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be operating on a Tier 2 schedule Monday, October 5. Tier 2 means that Route 8 is suspended and Route 12 is adjusted.
You can find the updated Route 12 schedule here.
Category: News
Expansion of Face Covering Requirement
We’re committed to safety. That’s why, starting next week, we’re expanding our mandatory face covering requirement.
Effective Mon, Oct 5, ALL riders over the age of 2, regardless of their medical status, must wear a face covering.
Masks are still required for all able-bodied riders, and now, face shields or an equivalent are required for those who are medically exempt from wearing a full face mask.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe! Learn more about our COVID-19 safety measures here.
REMINDER: Also effective Mon, Oct 5, we are returning to 100 percent normal service, including reinstating Shuttle Van.
Temporary Ryman St. Closure Impacts Stops
Ryman St. will be closed between W. Broadway St. and W. Pine St. starting Sunday, September 27 through Tuesday, September 29.
Mountain Line will need to detour around this area during the closure, therefore the stops on Front St. off of Orange and on Ryman St. between Main and Broadway will be closed until Wednesday, September 30. See map below for details.
Closed for Labor Day
Attention Riders: Mountain Line will NOT be operating Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday!
Route 4 Impacted by Construction
Due to construction, Route 4 service is impacted in the following ways starting today, Mon, Aug 24 at 6p:
- Stops along Hwy 200, between Staple St in East Missoula and Aabear Ln in Bonner are temporarily closed.
- Riverside & Bonner riders:
- For the next week, Route 4 will operate the Outbound route only; to catch the bus, make sure you’re at outbound stops at the posted outbound schedule time.
- All Bonner stops east of 1st street are temporarily closed. Riders in this area will need to come to 1st St to catch the Outbound Route 4.
East Missoula residents west of Staple St will not be impacted by these changes and can catch the Route 4 as normal.
Mountain Line Funding Request to Appear on November Ballot
New Funding Will Create Sunday Bus Service, Increase Route Frequency
MISSOULA – The Missoula Urban Transportation District (MUTD) Board of Directors, governing body of Mountain Line, has decided to move forward with a mill levy increase request this November to support additional, publicly-requested service expansions. These expansions include increasing bus frequency, adding full weekend service, and increasing days and hours of service for seniors and people with disabilities.
Mountain Line is asking for a mill levy increase of 20 mills, raising approximately $3 million per year, to:
- Expand weekend service, including adding Sunday bus service for the first time.
- Increase bus frequency on heavily used routes.
- Provide funding to enhance the Zero-Fare program.
- Support the conversion of its fleet from diesel to all-electric.
All service expansions will benefit both fixed-route riders and seniors and people with disabilities who utilize Mountain Line’s Paratransit and Shuttle Van services.
“Mountain Line gets people to work, school, the doctor’s office and other essential services, reduced traffic congestion by removing approximately 1.5 million vehicle trips from our roads each year, brings federal dollars to Missoula, and has a net positive impact on Missoula’s economy,” said Jesse Dodson, MUTD board chair. “As Missoula grows, it is important that everyone in the community has access to affordable, reliable transportation. Investing in public transit benefits us all, even in these difficult times.”
In 2017, Mountain Line underwent an extensive community planning process, which included several public meetings and opportunities for public comment, to inform its 2018 Strategic Plan. The process showed a community desire for expanded bus service and support to ensure Mountain Line can continue providing important public transportation to help employees get to work, students get to school and seniors and people with disabilities remain independent and active.
“Since the debut of our Zero-Fare program in 2015, we have seen ridership jump almost seventy percent, to 1.5 million rides annually,” said Dodson. “This mill levy increase will fund expanded services to meet the needs of our growing community and continue to ensure our community is accessible to everyone.”
The success of the Zero-Fare program and resulting ridership increases have allowed Mountain Line to be competitive for several federal and state grants over the last few years. Most recently, Mountain Line received two grants to purchase additional zero-emissions electric buses to replace diesel-fueled buses. The continued electrification of the fleet will assist the District in meeting its 2035 carbon reduction goals, while protecting Missoula’s air quality.
“This is a transformative moment for Mountain Line,” said Corey Aldridge, Mountain Line general manager. “We heard the desire for weekend and late-evening service and put together a plan to meet those demands. Now, with the voters’ permission, and support for this investment, we’re ready to make that plan a reality.”
The main source of operations funding for Mountain Line has been its perpetual mill levy. Since the creation of MUTD in 1976, Mountain Line has sought voter approval to increase its operating levy only once. Thanks to support of District voters in 2013, the agency was able to add an additional high-frequency BOLT! route, late-evening service and improved services for seniors and people with disabilities.
Learn more about the mill levy increase request at www.mountainline.com/mill-levy.
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.
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Bus Stop Improvement Project: Construction to Begin on South Ave
Construction for our Bus Stop Improvement Project will begin along South Ave this week. Riders will still have access to bus service during this time, but may need to look for a temporary bus stop sign adjacent to their regular stop.
To learn more about the improvements you can expect to see, visit www.mountainline.com/bus-stop-improvements.
Mountain Line to Host Electric-Bus Concert Series
MISSOULA – Mountain Line is proud to partner with the Montana Area Music Association (MAMA) and the Trail 103.3 to present a five-week, livestream concert series Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. to benefit local musicians. The concert series launches August 19 and runs through September 16.
The series, dubbed the Electric Stream Sessions, will feature local musicians playing inside one of Mountain Line’s new electric buses. Concerts will be livestreamed on Mountain Line’s Facebook page and available on the agency’s YouTube channel for post-stream viewing.
“Mountain Line gets people to work, to school and to the doctor, and part of Mountain Line’s mission is to connect our community,” said Corey Aldridge, Mountain Line general manager. “This year, fulfilling that missions means getting creative.”
The five-part series will feature local solo acts and duets from the same household, with Missoula staples, such as Tom Catmull, sharing the stage with up-and-coming artists like Elijah Jalil, whose debut album is expected in the coming months.
This year has been hard on everyone and particularly hard on local artists.
While Mountain Line is sponsoring the venue and organizing the concerts, several local businesses have come together to sponsor each performing artist directly, providing free entertainment for the community, while ensuring artists are compensated. Links to musicians’ virtual tip jars will also be posted in the concert livestreams.
“Beyond the financial impact of COVID-19, which is significant, there are far fewer opportunities for us to share our music with the community,” said Maria Zepeda, executive director of MAMA and local musician. “Mountain Line is offering a safe and unique platform for musicians to connect with a wider audience, which benefits us and the Missoula community.”
To ensure everyone’s health and safety, musicians will perform on the electric bus while completely alone, and all duet partners in the series live in the same household.
Producer Jeff McClain, from Arrowroot Productions, will be monitoring audio and video from a sound booth outside the bus, while Mountain Line staff will handle social media from afar. All surfaces inside the bus will be sanitized between artists, windows will be open and masks will be worn during change overs.
“It might be one of the most unique venues I’ll ever sing in,” said Zepeda, who is lead vocalist for Emzee and Silas, performing August 26. “But I also love that this venue, an electric bus, is connecting our music with a symbol of sustainability and clean air.”
Mountain Line debuted its first six electric buses last summer and secured $4.6 million in federal funding this year to purchase six additional electric buses. These additional buses will bring Mountain Line’s fleet to 40 percent all-electric, getting the agency that much closer to its goal of zero-tailpipe-emissions by 2035.
“Mountain Line is always looking for ways to further benefit this community, from clean air and decreased traffic congestion, to increasing mobility for seniors and those with disabilities,” said Aldridge. “This year, we saw a way to benefit our community by connecting local musicians with viewers at home. A connected community is a healthy community, and that benefits us all.”
For a full concert lineup and more details, visit www.mountainline.com/concert.
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.
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Now Hiring: Join Our Service Team
Love buses and being part of a great crew? Join our Mountain Line service team!
Mountain Line has immediate job openings for a full-time Service Person to keep our fleet fueled, clean and ready to roll. We offer competitive pay and full benefits. Earn $30,000 your first year with room to grow!
In addition to good communication and interpersonal skills, top candidates for this position:
- Have mechanical aptitude.
- Work in a safe and competent manner.
- Are 21 years or older with a high school diploma or GED.
- Possess – or have the ability to obtain – a Class B, Type II Montana Commercial Driver’s Licence with passenger endorsement. WILL TRAIN THE RIGHT CANDIDATE.
Come on board the Mountain Line team today and make serving our community your career!
Mountain Line is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply, click here.
Temporary Bus Stop Closure
Mountain Line’s bus stop at the Greyhound Bus station, near Broadway St & Sherwood St, is temporarily closed due to construction. This impacts riders on the inbound Route 2 and outbound Route 11. Thanks for your patience!
