Category: Rider Alerts

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/.

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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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!

Due to construction, all stops on 3rd Street between Orange and Russell are now closed. We expect these closures to last through the summer and ask riders in this area to utilize the marked bus stops on 5th and 6th streets. Thank you for your patience and for only taking necessary trips with us at this time.

The bus stop located outside Missoula Aging Services on the outbound Route 7 is now closed. This stop will be permanently relocated to the far side of Beckwith on Stephens. For the time being, this new stop will be marked with a temporary sign until the full stop can be built out; our mobile app will be updated to reflect this change in the coming days. Thank you for your flexibility and for only taking essential trips with us during this time.

Effective Wednesday, April 8, Mountain Line will expand its Route 2 frequency and suspend its Route 1 service until further notice. Route 1 riders will still be served by Routes 6, 7 and 12. This change will not impact paratransit service. 

Currently, Route 2 is serving the most riders in Missoula. This change will introduce additional buses to the route, arriving every 30 minutes, to afford Route 2 riders more opportunity for physical distancing while on board. Mountain Line requests all riders wear masks or other cloth that covers their nose and mouth while on board any of its vehicles, and to refrain from boarding a bus with more than 10 passengers if their schedule permits. 

“We are asking all riders to limit their trips to essential travel only. This includes trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, non-COVID-19-related medical appointments and work,” said Mountain Line General Manager, Corey Aldridge. “We’ve continued to see a sharp decline in ridership, which means people are listening, and now we’re doing all we can to further protect those riders who truly depend on our essential service.” 

The agency is working quickly to post updated route schedules at bus stops and on its mobile app; however, it may take several days to fully saturate the community with the updated times. Given how rapidly circumstances are changing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mountain Line asks all riders to default to schedules posted at www.mountainline.com/covid19 for the most up-to-date information. 

“Our ridership is down to the people who truly depend on us for essential travel,” said Jennifer Sweten, director of operations at Mountain Line. “That’s why Mountain Line will maintain as much service to the Missoula community as we can, for as long as possible.” 

For anyone experiencing symptoms, Mountain Line asks they avoid public transportation and visit Missoula County’s website for resources and next steps at https://covid19.missoula.co/testinghealth. 

Reminder that Mountain Line is now operating on reduced hours for both fixed-route and paratranist service. Updated schedules and more information can be found at www.mountainline.com/covid19. Mountain Line is an essential service and will continue to operate as long as possible.  We ask you heed the Governor’s order to stay out of public spaces as much as possible and ask riders to limit travel to necessary trips only during this time. 

Mountain Line is an essential service that benefits us all by providing dependable transportation to healthcare workers, medical professionals and other essential staff.  

Many depend on Mountain Line as their sole means of transportation for essential travel; therefore, we will continue to operate as long as possible.    

We ask you heed the Governor’s order to stay out of public spaces as much as possible and ask riders to limit travel to necessary trips only during this time. 

If you are experiencing symptoms, please avoid using public transit and visit the county’s website for a list of next steps: missoula.co/cvirus. For more about Mountain Line’s response to COVID-19, visit www.mountainline.com/covid19.

THIS POST WAS UPDATED AT 11:20a.m., March 26:

The Mountain Line mobile app and bus tracker now reflect the reduced hours that went into effect today, Thursday, March 26. Thank you for your patience during this transition. More information about our COVID-19 response is at www.mountainline.com/covid19.

Mountain Line will be operating on reduced service hours effective today, Thursday, March 26, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced fixed-route and paratransit service hours are now 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. until further notice. Earlier paratransit service for dialysis patients will continue to begin at 5:45 a.m. Please find all updated routes at www.mountainline.com/covid19.