APTA Award

9/4: Marshall Mountain Line Pilot to Launch September 13

September 4, 2025

MISSOULA, Mont.—Hikers and cyclists hoping to recreate at Marshall Mountain this fall will be able to catch a ride there on a new Mountain Line service for seven weekends beginning September 13.

The Marshall Mountain Line will run as a temporary pilot program to connect Missoulians to Marshall Mountain Park with zero-fare public transit from the Downtown Transfer Center. The shuttle will run hourly from downtown from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout September and October, with room for up to 16 passengers and up to 16 bicycles per trip. Passengers can board and load their bikes at the TC, at the outbound Missoula College stop, and at the outbound Sha-Ron Fishing Access stop. The shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and will be able to accommodate adaptive cycles upon request.

“Mountain Line connects people to the community, and outdoor recreation is an integral part of life in Missoula,” says Jordan Hess, CEO and General Manager of Mountain Line. “We’re excited to help more people discover Marshall Mountain with fewer barriers and enjoy getting outside on a beautiful fall weekend.”

The Marshall Mountain Line pilot is the product of extensive collaboration and planning among local and regional organizations, including Missoula County (which owns Marshall Mountain), the City of Missoula Parks and Recreation department, Five Valleys Land Trust, and other land managers and nonprofits.

“Partnerships like this keep the community vision for Marshall Mountain Park moving forward,” says Marshall Mountain Park Manager Jackson Lee. “Marshall Mountain has long been a place that embraces new ideas, and we’re especially excited about this one. Thanks to Mountain Line’s leadership, easier and more inclusive access to your all-season public mountain is on its way.”

This service is a short-term effort to connect residents who cannot or choose not to drive to recreation sites. During the pilot, Mountain Line and Missoula County staff will be collecting data and user feedback to inform future seasons of recreation shuttles.

“Our bread and butter is transporting Missoulians to medical appointments, jobs, and educational opportunities, but robust access to social and recreation opportunities is part of what makes transit a lifestyle choice versus a choice of last resort,” Hess says. “This pilot is a public-private partnership to improve access to the outdoors, but sustaining this effort in future years will take community involvement. We look forward to working with the community to find ways to continue to provide innovative transit service in the future.”

The pilot service is a result of innovative leadership by local philanthropic group Izzy Dog, LLC, to study and promote equitable access to public lands. In 2024, Izzy Dog convened local land managers to explore the possibility of a recreation shuttle. Previously, Izzy Dog purchased Marshall Mountain from a private owner in 2021 and held the property until it could be acquired by Missoula County using Open Space Bond funds. Since the transfer of Marshall Mountain to public ownership, Izzy Dog has remained active promoting conservation and equitable recreation programs at Marshall Mountain. Izzy Dog’s efforts have encouraged community support for improvements to the former ski hill through volunteerism and donations to groups like the Friends of Marshall Mountain.

Some existing Mountain Line routes serve trails and other recreation destinations year-round, like Route 5 to the Rattlesnake and Route 4 to Sha-Ron and Milltown, but the Marshall Mountain Line is the first targeted recreation shuttle run by the agency.

Complete details, including route information, schedules, frequently asked questions, and how to support future pilot efforts are available at mountainline.com/marshall.

9/1: Sunday Schedule on Labor Day

Mountain Line will be running on a Sunday schedule on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. Please be in touch with any questions or for help planning your trip.

8/22: Route 3 Detour to Become Permanent

The Route 3 detour used during Scott Street construction this summer will remain in place as the new permanent route, connecting the Northside directly to downtown. Temporary stops used during the construction detour will remain in use and eventually be built as permanent route stops.

The elimination of the previous one-way loop route along Scott Street and Spruce will help Northside residents connect more directly to the rest of the transit system, making transfers easier and serving more riders with more convenient service.

Mountain Line’s recent Transit Service Plan proposed two-way travel for Route 3 as a possible improvement, and the construction detour demonstrated that this change would work. Rather than returning to previous routing, then making another change with service updates next summer, Route 3 passengers will be able to continue planning their trips with the adjusted route.

This change will appear as a detour rider alert in Transit and the Bus Tracker until some technical updates are completed early this fall.

Please be in touch with any questions at 721-3333 or [email protected].

7/18: Transfer Center to Reopen Friday

Downtown Transfer Center operations will return to the passenger loading island on Friday, July 18, from the temporary location on Woody Street. Thank you for your patience as we’ve completed necessary updates. Please be in touch with any questions at 721-3333.

7/4: Holiday Closure

Mountain Line will be closed on Friday, July 4. No bus or Paratransit service will be available, so please plan accordingly. Customer service will also be closed.

Normal Saturday service will resume on July 5.

7/7: Scott Street Construction Detours

Routes 2 and 3 will be running with detours during construction of the roundabout at Scott Street and Phillips, expected to begin July 7.

While the Scott & Phillips intersection is closed, Route 3 will follow most of its outbound route back to downtown, as shown in the map below. (There will be marked temporary stops along this inbound route.)

To get from the Northside to Lowell School or destinations along Spruce Street, take Route 3 to Downtown, then transfer to Route 2, running every 15 minutes on weekdays. When possible, it’s advisable to let your driver you plan to transfer so they can radio ahead and make sure the connecting bus driver knows to expect transferring passengers.

Please keep in mind that Route 1 turns into Route 2 at the Transfer Center (and vice versa), so the head sign of the correct incoming bus will say Route 1 before it switches over, while the bus that says Route 2 as it’s pulling in will turn into Route 1 and go to the university. (Route 2 departs the Woody Street temporary transfer center from the east side of the street, facing north to Spruce.)

Route 2 will also be running with a minor detour, missing the Westside Park and inbound Lowell Elementary stops but making temporary stops on Scott Street between Cooper and Sherwood.

5/27: Transfer Center Construction Through July

Beginning Tuesday, May 27, the Downtown Transfer Center passenger loading island will be closed for construction while we make electrical and structural upgrades.

Bus service will continue on regular schedules. However, buses will be relocated to Woody Street between Pine and Spruce Streets for the duration of construction. The Transfer Center building will remain open during regular hours.

How long will the closure last?

Construction is expected to last approximately two months, through the end of July.

Why is this construction happening now?

The Transfer Center was built for the smaller, shorter buses we used to operate, and it has served us well for many years. Now, as we adapt to new technology (including a mostly electric fleet), some infrastructure updates are required to keep the passenger loading island as safe and convenient as possible. We’re also updating some electrical components while construction is in progress.

How do I know where to find my bus?

All buses will be staging on Woody Street between Pine and Spruce. Routes 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, and 14 will line up on the west side of the street, facing south (Pine). Routes 1, 4, 5, 6, and 12 will line up on the east side of the street, facing north (Spruce). No stops will be missed, and supervisors will be on site to help direct passengers to their routes.

For any questions or trip assistance, please give us a call at 406-721-3333.

5/24: Summer Market Trolley Begins Saturday

2025 Market Trolley Service

Running Saturdays through September, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
New this year: expanded service connecting Downtown to the Northside and Midtown!

Northside Market Connector:

Northside Market Trolley Schedule

Hourly Northside-bound departures from the XXXXs starting at 8 a.m.
Downtown-bound trolley leaves the Villagio hourly starting at 8:15 a.m.
For additional Northside service, catch Route 3, departing hourly from the Transfer Center starting at 8:30 a.m.

Fairgrounds Market Connector:

Fairgrounds Market Trolley Schedule

Hourly Fairgrounds-bound departures from the XXXXs starting at 8:30 a.m.
Downtown-bound trolley leaves the Fairgrounds hourly starting at 8:45 a.m.
For additional service along Higgins, catch Route 6, departing hourly from the Transfer Center starting at 8:45 a.m.

5/26: Sunday Schedule on Memorial Day

Mountain Line will be operating on a Sunday schedule on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. See schedules here or plan your trip on the Transit app.

2/17: Sunday Service on Presidents’ Day

Mountain Line will be operating a Sunday schedule on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents’ Day. Please reach out to us by email or at 721-3333 if you have any questions.