APTA Award

Mountain Line Launches Route Race in Time for Earth Week Engagement

MISSOULA – Starting Earth Week, April 19, Missoulians are encouraged to try their hand at solving clues and earning prizes in Mountain Line’s “Route Race,” an Amazing-Race style adventure across Missoula! Round one of the race officially kicks off this morning, with the first clue (available on here) sending people to an iconic Missoula location to earn a tasty reward and find their next clue. 

Mountain Line is hosting three rounds of the Route Race, each lasting three weeks, as part of its season-long Spring Shift campaign. The campaign is focused on encouraging Missoulians to shift their behaviors to be more sustainable as our community reopens both with warmer weather and the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Spring Shift has multiple facets, from the Route Race to season-long Challenges and a family-friendly Scavenger Hunt (launching in time for Earth Day). 

In the Route Race, Missoulians are encouraged to hop on board the bus, follow the clues and earn incentives from local businesses along the way. Participants will need to use a smartphone to scan QR codes at each location and 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. For each round of the Route Race completed, participants are entered into the grand prize drawing for a Towne electric bike donated by race sponsor, Windfall.  

Mountain Line is also hosting season-long sustainability Challenges, where Missoulians are entered into various drawings for local prizes for each shift they make to a sustainable behavior. From taking the bus to shopping bulk, each action this Spring comes with exciting incentives, such as a head-to-toe outfit from Pink Elephant, $50 Good Food Store gift card, deluxe bike tune-up, and six months of glass or compost pickup. Earning 10 or more unique Challenge badges comes with a grand-prize entry to win a three-night stay at ROAM Beyond’s Glacier Montana destination, generously donated by ROAM Beyond. 

Get your first clue in the Route Race and learn more about the Spring Shift Challenges at mountainline.com/spring-shift

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In 2020, Mountain Line committed to a zero-tailpipe-emissions fleet by 2035. This action 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 almost 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 helping seniors and people 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.