MOUNTAIN LINE OFFERING FREE RIDES TO THE POLLS ON NOVEMBER 8
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (November 1, 2022) – Mountain Line will be fare-free on Tuesday, November 8 giving all voters the opportunity to access polling locations on Election Day.
Service will be free all day, and riders will not need to show proof of voting. Visit https://www.coconino.az.gov/elections for information on the election and polling locations.
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.
MOUNTAIN LINE’S ACE EVERETT NAMED TO MASS TRANSIT’S TOP 40 UNDER 40 FOR 2022
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (August 24, 2022) – Mountain Line congratulates Mechanic Andrew “Ace” Everett for being named to Mass Transit Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 list for 2022.
Everett started as Mountain Line’s first mechanic more than 13 years ago, bringing fleet services in-house for the first time and only outsourcing for warranty work. During his tenure, Everett has established himself as the agency’s “chief problem solver,” and is highly regarded both internally and by other transit agencies for his technical and mechanical expertise.
When COVID-19 struck and Mountain Line needed a way to keep drivers safe while operating the bus, many solutions provided by vendors were cost-prohibitive and on back order. Everett took matters into his own hands and fabricated barrier doors to not only provide drivers with virus protection, but also to prevent anyone from entering their space. His ingenuity can be witnessed throughout the Mountain Line shops, from the battery mount he fabricated to remove hybrid batteries from bus roofs to a redesign of the snow traction insta-chains to work with both buses and vans.
Everett now serves as the lead trainer where he passes his knowledge on to other mechanics to make the staff more efficient with Mountain Line’s fleet. He got his start by following in his father’s footsteps – he’s been a mechanic with the Arizona Department of Transportation for 27 years.
“Ace is a tremendous asset to Mountain Line and this entire community, and we are thrilled that his accomplishments are being recognized on a national level,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Our in-house fleet department is successful due in large part to Ace’s creativity, expertise, and his willingness to take on any challenge.”
The Mass Transit 40 Under 40 recognizes individuals who have shown a capacity for innovation, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to making an impact in transit.
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.
MOUNTAIN LINE RESTORES ALL SERVICE EXCEPT ROUTES 2 & 4
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (August 8, 2022) – Effective today, Mountain Line restored regular summer service on all routes except Routes 2 and 4, which will remain on a reduced schedule until the fall.
Routes 2 and 4 will continue to operate on a weekend schedule for frequency, but with the weekday span of service. This means that routes will start and end at approximately the same time they currently do on weekdays, but buses will not run as often.
The morning and afternoon Route 2 deviations to Gemini Rd./BASIS are operational, but the times are slightly different due to the reduced schedule. A complete weekday Route 2 schedule can be found at: https://mountainline.az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Route-2_August-1-26-2022.pdf. A complete weekday Route 4 schedule can be found at: https://mountainline.az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Mountain-Line-Route-4-Reduced-Schedule.pdf.
Route 10 is operating on a Holiday/Break schedule and will resume regular service to coincide with the start of the fall semester on Aug. 29.
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.
MOUNTAIN LINE MAKES GETTING TO SCHOOL EASY, CONVENIENT, AND SAFE
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (July 29, 2022) – It’s officially back-to-school season, and with Mountain Line’s variety of student pass options, you can mark “transportation” off the school supply checklist.
Mountain Line offers a safe and reliable transportation option for students to get to and from school and other activities. There are nine routes traversing Flagstaff, stopping within walking distance of most Flagstaff schools. Mountain Line offers route deviations on Routes 2 and 3 to better serve BASIS School and Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA) during the school year. Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA) students can also take advantage of supplemental morning and afternoon service on Route 5, which offers more options to get to and from school.
Flagstaff students enrolled in a K-12 school can purchase a Mountain Line semester pass for $49. Fall semester passes are valid Aug. 1 – Dec. 31 and spring semester passes are valid Jan. 1 – Jun. 15. An annual pass, valid for the entire calendar year from the date of purchase, is available for $119. Both passes are valid on the entire Mountain Line system for the duration of the pass. For students who don’t ride as often, FlagPass Cash is available. Load as little as $5 on a card, use as needed, and reload when the balance gets low.
Student passes are available for purchase at https://mountainline.az.gov/fares-passes-online/ or on the Token Transit mobile ticketing app. Passes are also available at the Mountain Line office at 3773 N. Kaspar Dr. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (closed from 12-1), Monday-Friday. To purchase the pass, all students must show proof of enrollment and bring a student ID, if applicable.
The Mountain Line Customer Service staff is happy to answer any questions about routes and the best way for students to access their individual schools. Call 928.779.6624 or visit https://mountainline.az.gov/students/ for additional information.
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.
MOUNTAIN LINE LAUNCHES NEW REAL TIME ARRIVAL APP
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (September 7, 2021) – Mountain Line announces Transit as the official mobility app for Flagstaff. Transit counts millions of active users in more than 200 cities worldwide, and is now available for Mountain Line riders who are now able to track their bus in real-time with the leading transport app in North America.
Upon launching the app, Mountain Line riders see nearby options and departure times in big text and bright colors. Users can easily navigate the region, aided by accurate real-time bus ETAs, trip planning, step-by-step navigation, and crowdsourced real-time information with Transit’s GO feature.
Transit is available to download for iPhone and Android at www.transitapp.com and additional information is available at https://mountainline.az.gov/rider-tools/flgride-mobile-app/.
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.
Mountain Line Makes Getting to School Easy, Convenient, And Safe
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (July 28, 2021) – It’s officially back-to-school season, and Mountain Line student semester and annual transit passes are an essential part of the school supply checklist.
Mountain Line offers a safe and reliable transportation option for students to get to and from school and other activities. There are nine routes traversing Flagstaff, stopping within walking distance of most Flagstaff schools. Mountain Line continues to offer route deviations on Routes 2 and 3 to better serve BASIS School and Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA) during the school year. Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA) students can also take advantage of supplemental morning and afternoon service on Route 5, which offers more options to get to and from school.
Flagstaff students enrolled in a K-12 school can purchase a Mountain Line semester pass for $49. Fall semester passes are valid Aug. 1 – Dec. 31 and spring semester passes are valid Jan. 1 – Jun. 15. An annual pass, valid for the entire calendar year from the date of purchase, is available for $119. Both passes are valid on the entire Mountain Line system for the duration of the pass.
Per federal law, Mountain Line requires riders to wear face masks all vehicles. Buses are also fully sanitized each evening and hand sanitizer is available on board all buses. Families are encouraged to download two useful apps – Transit and See Say Now. The Transit app is replacing Mountain Line’s previous FLGRide app to provide real time arrival information and bus tracking. The See Say Now app allows riders to get in touch directly with Mountain Line’s Dispatch office, right from their phone.
Student passes are available for purchase at the Mountain Line office at 3773 N. Kaspar Dr. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (closed from 12-1), Monday-Friday. To purchase the pass, all students must show proof of enrollment and bring a student ID, if applicable. Passes can also be purchased at https://mountainline.az.gov/fares-passes-online/ and will be mailed to students.
The Mountain Line front desk staff is happy to answer any questions about routes and the best way for students to access their individual schools. Call 928.779.6624 or visit https://mountainline.az.gov/students/ for additional information.
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.
Mountain Line Updates Mask Policy to Meet New Federal Law
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 2, 2021) – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an order imposing a mask requirement for public transportation systems, implementing President Biden’s Executive Order to “Promote Safety in Domestic and International Travel.”
The requirement went into effect on February 1, 2021 and impacts public transportation systems around the country. Per a local emergency declaration, Mountain Line has required face coverings on all vehicles and at stops and connection centers since June 21, 2020. The new federal mandate supersedes the local declaration, and all local requirements must meet or be more stringent than the federal law. To meet the parameters set forth in the CDC order, Mountain Line is implementing the following changes to its face covering requirement:
- All transit riders over the age of 2 (updated from the local requirement of 5) must wear a face covering.
- The only other exemption will be for a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The local declaration provides an exemption when a person’s religious beliefs prevent the person from wearing a face covering.
- Acceptable masks are defined as being made of a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, or punctures. Masks must contain a minimum of two layers, fit snugly around the nose and chin, and be made of a tightly woven fabric. Unacceptable masks include scarves/ski masks, those that do not fit property, and those that have only one layer. A full description of the face cover guidance can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
Riders who do not have an acceptable face covering and do not meet the age or ADA exemptions will not be permitted to board. Mountain Line continues to make face coverings available for those who do not have one. If a rider removes their face covering while on a transit vehicle, the driver will safely pull over and ask the rider to exit the vehicle.
The full CDC order can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf.
Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/health for information about Mountain Line’s COVID-19 response and regulations.
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.
Mountain Line launches “See Say Now” app to enhance safety
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (December 9, 2020) – Mountain Line launched the new “See Say Now” app on Wednesday, December 9 to give riders and staff an easy-to-use resource for reporting security concerns and safety hazards onboard Mountain Line vehicles and at stops and connection centers.
Designed by ELERTS, the See Say Now app provides a direct connection to Mountain Line staff who can assist with safety concerns as they arise. The app allows customers to submit a photo and description of the issue and select from a list of report options and locations. Report types include Disruptive Behavior, COVID-19 issue, Human Trafficking, Vandalism, Unattended Bag or Package, and more.
Mountain Line purchased the See Say Now app through funding received from the Federal Transit Administration’s Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative. While the app will be a valuable resource in combatting human trafficking in the Flagstaff community, it will also be a vital tool in Mountain Line’s safety program.
“Everyone has the right to a safe and secure transit trip, and the See Say Now app puts the power in the hands of our riders,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Safety is Mountain Line’s number one priority, and it is a team effort, so if you see something, we encourage you to say something.”
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.
ELERTS is a Massachusetts-based software company that provides a mobile reporting platform for airports, mass transit, cities and other organizations. The company was founded in 2010 on the belief that while “See Something, Say Something” is easy to understand, it is not so easy to report a concern. ELERTS delivers a communication platform that lets Operations Centers receive and respond to incident reports in a timely and efficient manner. By deploying mobile technology that enables crowd-sourced incident reporting, ELERTS is putting safety and security in the hands of smartphone users everywhere.
Mountain Line Participating in “Health and Safety Commitments” Program
Mountain Line joins over 100 public transit agencies across the country in signing on to the program
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (November 18, 2020) – Mountain Line has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) “Health and Safety Commitments Program,” the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to passengers that public transit systems are taking all the necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The health and safety of passengers and operators is the most important priority for Mountain Line. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Mountain Line has worked tirelessly to keep riders safe from infection from the coronavirus. By signing on to the APTA Health and Safety Commitments Program with more than 100 public transit systems, Mountain Line and the public transit industry are actively working to instill confidence in riders that it’s committed to protecting their health and safety.
The program was developed after asking transit users from across the country what measures would make them feel more confident riding public transportation amid concerns about COVID-19. From this research, the industry identified four key areas that transit systems need to address to earn riders’ confidence:
- Following public health guidelines from official sources
- Cleaning and disinfecting transit vehicles frequently and requiring face coverings and other protections
- Keeping passengers informed and empowered to choose the safest times and routes to ride
- Putting health first by requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 of feel ill.
Mountain Line has pledged to meet these commitments by creating specific policies that are effective for our system, our riders, and our community. A key component of the Health and Safety Commitments Program is the shared responsibility of our system and our riders to follow the guidelines. Riders rely on us to follow these commitments, and Mountain Line relies on riders to protect themselves and other customers.
“Since the beginning of this pandemic, Mountain Line has created policies and procedures that protect both our employees and our riders,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “By signing on to this Health and Safety Commitments Program we are pledging to the Flagstaff community that Mountain Line will continue providing vital transit service in the safest manner possible, and we request our riders to be our partners in this effort.”
Mountain Line’s actions to address and implement the pillars of the Health and Safety Commitments Program can be found at www.mountainline.az.gov/health.
Mountain Line Requires Face Coverings on All Vehicles and At All Facilities
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (June 19, 2020) – On June 17 the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) Board of Directors voted to require all Mountain Line bus and paratransit riders to wear face coverings while on vehicles and at stops and connection centers.
Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans also issued an Emergency Declaration on June 18 making masks mandatory in public places. The Declaration stipulated that face coverings must be worn in public places where social distancing is not possible, which includes public transit.
Mountain Line’s face covering requirement will go into effect at the start of service on Sunday, June 21. Riders must wear a face covering that covers both the nose and the mouth, and it must remain in place while on a vehicle or at a stop. Mountain Line will have masks available for individuals who do not have one.
Per the Declaration, cloth face coverings are not required in a public place:
- When that person cannot wear a face covering because of a medical condition, mental health condition, or developmental disability, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance.
- When a person’s religious beliefs prevent the person from wearing a face covering.
- When a child is under five years of age.
“The NAIPTA Board recognized that COVID-19 cases in Arizona are on the rise and if public transit must continue to operate for essential trips, it is our duty to protect the Mountain Line employees and riders,” said NAIPTA Board Chair and Flagstaff City Councilmember Jamie Whelan.
Many transit systems across the country have made the decision to require face coverings based on the recommendations of health experts.
In addition to requiring face coverings, Mountain Line is also operating fare-free and only allowing riders to board through the rear door. Additionally, all buses are fully sanitized each day, and high-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
Mountain Line continues to operate reduced service levels and is available for essential trips only. Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/health for full details on the agency’s COVID-19 response.
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.