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.
Mountain Line to Resume Fare Collection and Front Door Boarding on Oct 21
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (October 19, 2020) – Mountain Line will resume fare collection and front door boarding on all fixed route and paratransit vehicles on October 21, 2020.
Due to COVID-19, Mountain Line halted fare collection on March 21 and asked riders to board through the rear door. With the implementation of new safety measures, these activities will resume as normal on Oct. 21. Plastic barriers have been installed on all buses to keep drivers and riders separated, and all Mountain Line employees and riders are required to wear face coverings while on vehicles and at stops and connection centers.
The Mountain Line Headquarters building (3773 N. Kaspar Dr.) reopened on Oct. 14 and is available by appointment only. Customers can call 928-779-6624 to schedule an appointment.
Details about Mountain Line’s commitment to health and safety can be found at www.mountainline.az.gov/health. In addition to requiring face coverings, the following safety measures will also continue:
- All Mountain Line buses are fully sanitized each day and high-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
- Buses will be marked with suggested seating arrangements to maintain six feet of social distance and will be stocked with hand sanitizer.
Mountain Line is running on a regular schedule with the following exceptions:
- The Route 2 deviation to BASIS, Route 3 deviation to NPA and Route 5 supplemental bus to FALA will not operate until students return to in-person instruction.
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 Announces Extension to Reduced Weekday Service Through Summer
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (July 1, 2022) – MOUNTAIN LINE EXTENDING REDUCED WEEKDAY SERVICE THROUGH SUMMER
Contact: Jacki Lenners
928.679.8933 or jlenners@mountainline.az.gov
Due to ongoing and unprecedented staffing shortages, Mountain Line is continuing the weekday service reduction through the summer.
All Mountain Line routes will 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. Schedules for individual routes are posted at all bus stop and at https://mountainline.az.gov/routes/.
Full service (with the exception of Route 10) will be restored on August 10 to coincide with the start of the K-12 fall semester. Route 10 will resume regular service with the start of NAU’s fall semester.
Additionally, Mountain Line will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule on Monday, July 4 and the Admin Office will be closed for the Independence Day Holiday.
“Like many transit agencies around the nation, Mountain Line is facing extreme staffing shortages, making it impossible to continue safely running full service,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Cutting service is a last resort and we are committed to spending the summer recruiting and training new drivers to ensure we are ready for a return to full service in August.”
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.
NAIPTA Board Names Heather Dalmolin Permanent CEO
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (August 21, 2020) – The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) Board of Directors named Heather Dalmolin the permanent CEO and General Manager of Mountain Line at a meeting on August 19.
Dalmolin has served in an interim capacity since March and previously served as Mountain Line’s Administrative Director, overseeing Budget, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Customer Service. She has been with the agency for more than 18 years.
“Heather assumed the Interim CEO role during the most difficult time in Mountain Line’s history and has expertly guided the organization during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Flagstaff City Councilmember and NAIPTA Board Chair Jamie Whelan. “The NAIPTA Board felt her past experience and diverse skill set make her the ideal candidate to lead Mountain Line through the pandemic recovery and into the future.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization that I have been fortunate enough to call home for the last 18 years,” said Dalmolin. “I would like to thank the NAIPTA Board for their confidence in me and the Mountain Line team for always stepping up to live our mission of ‘Getting You Where You Want to Go.’”
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.
Route 10 To Detour Around McConnell Rd. Construction
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (April 8, 2020) – Starting April 13, 2020, Mountain Line’s Route 10 will detour to Milton Rd. due to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) closure of McConnell Dr. at the Interstate 17 on-ramp.
The transit detour is anticipated to last through August 17, 2020 and the following Route 10 stops will be closed:
- Stops 7 and 14 at the Social & Behavioral Sciences building
- Stops 6 and 15 at Gabaldon Hall
When leaving the Woodlands Village area, Route 10 buses will continue on Beulah Blvd. past McConnell Dr., turning right on Forest Meadows St. and left on Milton Rd. When exiting the NAU campus to return to Woodlands Village, buses will use University Dr. to Milton Rd. See attached map for full routing information. The following temporary stops will be available:
- NAU or Downtown-bound Route 10 riders can access the existing Route 14, Stop 15 at Milton Rd. and Interstate 17 (Mobil).
- Woodlands Village-bound Route 10 riders can access the existing Route 4, Stop 4 at Milton Rd. and Forest Meadows St.
- Temporary east and westbound stops will be established on the NAU campus on University Dr. west of the Knoles Dr. intersection.
Riders who want to access NAU south campus via transit can exit Mountain Line at the University Dr. and Knoles Dr. temporary stop and board the NAU Axe Light route at the Wilson Hall or Gabaldon stops. Riders who typically use an impacted bus stop but would have difficulty accessing the temporary stops due to a disability, can request a reasonable modification by calling 928.679.8911 or emailing transportation@naipta.az.gov.
Mountain Line Revised Schedules and Policies for Pandemic Response
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (March 27, 2020) – Based on the City of Flagstaff’s Proclamation of the Mayor issued on March 16 and updated on March 26, Mountain Line is implementing reduced service levels and several revised policies and procedures, effective indefinitely.
Public transit remains a critical lifeline during crisis events, connecting workers to the jobs that support community needs, and residents to health care and medical needs. In order to balance the need to protect Mountain Line employees while providing a vital public service, the following changes will start on March 21:
- Mountain Line bus and paratransit services will operate its weekend schedule seven days a week from March 21 – April 1.
- All Mountain Line bus and paratransit services will be fare-free to reduce driver exposure by removing the contact point presented with the exchange and verification of fare.
- Current Mountain Line passholders will be able to receive an extension on their pass for the period the system is fare-free. Details will be communicated as the fare-free period ends.
- To promote social distancing for Mountain Line drivers, all riders will be asked to board and alight the bus at the rear doors. Anyone requiring the ramp can still board through the front door.
- The Mountain Line headquarters facility at 3773 N. Kaspar Dr. will be closed to the public and no guests will be allowed on property. Because the system will be fare-free, this eliminates the need for public pass sales, and alternate plans are being made for all other services provided to the public at the Front Desk. Customer service via phone will still be available on weekdays from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 928-779-6624.
- Apart from items of value (cell phones, keys, jewelry, etc.), Lost and Found items will not be kept and will be disposed of daily. Items of value will be turned over to the Flagstaff Police Department daily. The handling, storage, and retrieval of Lost and Found items is another significant point of exposure for Mountain Line staff, and one that is necessary to eliminate during this time period. Riders are highly encouraged to keep track of their belongings and check their seat area before leaving the bus.
- Mountain Line is here to serve people who need us to get to essential services and jobs. To promote social distancing, those who have other options or are taking a non-essential trip are asked to not use the bus right now. All riders must have a trip purpose and those who do not have a destination will not be allowed to board.
Additional school-related service reductions:
- Due to NAU’s announcement regarding classes being conducted online through the spring semester, Route 10 will remain on a holiday/break schedule with buses running every 20 minutes until the fall semester begins in August 2020.
- As long as K-12 schools are closed (through March 27, 2020 as of right now), the deviations on Routes 2 and 3 and the Route 5 supplemental bus will not operate.
Additional internal policy and procedure revisions are being implemented to support Mountain Line staff during this time. Surplus staff will be used to provide a higher level of cleaning and sanitation to all Mountain Line bus and paratransit vehicles throughout the day.
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.
Kaspar Drive & Route 66 Intersection Project
Mountain Line received a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant to design and construct public road improvements to connect Kaspar Dr. to the Route 66 and Highway 89 intersection. The primary purpose of this project is to provide safe and efficient access for transit vehicles and other traffic to the major road arterial.