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MOUNTAIN LINE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES

A bus with "Mountain Line" branding displays the message, "Proposed August 2025 Service Changes. Public comments are welcome through April 16, 2025.

The Mountain Line Board of Directors has opened a public comment period related to proposed Mountain Line service changes for August 2025. These include:

Route 2
The eastbound (toward the mall) deviation to Gemini Rd./BASIS will become permanent and all Route 2 buses will use this route on each run of the day. The westbound (toward downtown) deviation will be eliminated, and all buses will remain on Cedar Ave. Both stops at Cedar Ave. / Gemini Rd. will continue to be served in both directions on every run.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Growth and development on McMillan Mesa warrants full transit service (as opposed to the limited school deviations), but the road network makes it challenging to deliver efficient transit service due to the prohibited left turn from Pine Cliff Dr. onto Forest Ave. This requires the buses heading toward downtown to double back to access the traffic light at Gemini Rd. and Cedar Ave. Mountain Line secured grant funding to work with MetroPlan and the City of Flagstaff to conduct a feasibility study for a left turn off the Mesa at Pine Cliff, and pending the outcome of that study, the long-term goal is to permanently serve the Mesa in both directions.

Routes 4/14
With the completion of the new Beulah Blvd. roundabout and construction of a bus only lane, Mountain Line is shifting Routes 4 and 14 to use this new road network. Two new bus stops will be added on Beulah Blvd. at the roundabout, and the following stops will be closed due to the reroute:

  • Route 4, Stop 4 (Milton/Forest Meadows)
  • Route 14, Stop 15 (Milton Rd./I-17 – Mobil)

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Mountain Line worked closely with the City of Flagstaff to implement quality transit infrastructure as part of the roundabout project. This reroute takes buses off the congested Milton Rd., and utilizes bus only lanes on Beulah Blvd. to deliver more efficient transit service.

Route 5
Route 5 weekday peak frequency is currently 60 minutes, and it will increase to 30 minutes, meaning a bus will arrive every half hour. The morning and afternoon supplemental service that operated on school days will be eliminated.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: This is a Proposition 488 service improvement. Route 5 is the only route that has 60-minute weekday frequency, so this change brings it in line with other routes, and gives residents/visitors in this area a more reliable transit option. Supplemental service is being eliminated because it will be redundant with the new frequent service schedule and will provide enhanced student access along this route every weekday.

Route 7
Stop 16 at Fourth St. and Cedar Ave. will shift south and be relocated to Fourth St. and Dortha Ave.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: The City of Flagstaff is constructing a roundabout at Fourth St. and Cedar Ave. during the summer of 2025. Once completed, the current location of Stop 16 (Fourth St., just south of Cedar Ave.) will be too close to the new roundabout for buses to safely stop in the new traffic flow. The proposal moves the stop to the south to better align with the crosswalk at Dortha Ave.

Route 8
Route 8 will extend along West Route 66 and Woody Mountain Rd. to provide new transit service to this growing area. Details include:

  • 30-minute frequency
  • Proposed new stops (Final bus stop locations pending ADOT permit approvals):
  1. Westbound W. Route 66 / Thompson (near Maverik)
  2. Westbound W. Route 66 / Railroad Spring Blvd.
  3. Westbound W. Route 66 / Northwestern St.
  4. West side of Woody Mountain Rd. / Patio del Presidio
  5. Eastbound W. Route 66, / Northwestern St.
  6. Eastbound W. Route 66, near Kit Carson RV Park
  • The proposed routing will utilize the Woody Mountain Rd. roundabout. Only one stop on the west side of Woody Mountain Rd. is being proposed, as Phase 2 of the Route 8 extension is proposed to include a bigger loop around the Timber Sky development, and buses would only travel in one direction.
  • All bus stop infrastructure will be temporary, as MetroPlan and the City of Flagstaff are engaged in a W. Route 66 Corridor Study that will identify transit and pedestrian access solutions. Permanent infrastructure will be installed when the results of the study are implemented.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: This is a Proposition 488 service improvement. With the continued residential development on W. Route 66, there is a need for improved transit service in this corridor.

Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/servicechanges for full details on the proposed changes.
Comments can be submitted through April 16, 2025:

  • Via telephone at 928.679.8921
  • Via email at transportation@mountainline.az.gov
  • Via the Mountain Line website at www.mountainline.az.gov/contact
  • Via mail or in-person at 3773 N. Kaspar Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Mountain Line is the transit agency in northern Arizona operating fixed route bus service on nine routes, paratransit service, vanpool, and seasonal Mountain Express service to Arizona Snowbowl. www.mountainline.az.gov for more information.