Mountain Line Seeks Input to Update the Region’s Transit Plan
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (JUNE 29, 2021) – Mountain Line is initiating an effort to address how it can best provide and fund future transit services for the Flagstaff region and encourages all transit riders and non-transit riders to help inform this process to create a community driven transit plan – Flagstaff in Motion.
“As Flagstaff continues to change, it’s important that we prioritize investments in transit to address the transportation needs of the communities we serve and ensure our transit system continues to support the region’s economic vitality and key initiatives such as climate action,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “We want to hear from all community members to create a transit plan that reflects the diverse transportation needs and priorities of the community.”
Mountain Line is currently seeking input to inform the development of transit service scenarios for the region. The range of possible transit service scenarios will be made public by late summer and community members will then be asked to provide input to help Mountain Line prioritize the scenarios and develop corresponding tiered funding options.
Community members may provide feedback by visiting the newly launched project website at FlagstaffInMotion.com. The website features details about the plan development process and includes various poll questions and an interactive map that allows you to place pins on the map to make suggestions and provide comments. As planning efforts progress, this site will continue to be updated with new information and opportunities to share input throughout 2021.
Community members may also share their input and sign up to receive project updates and notices about public input opportunities for Flagstaff in Motion by sending an email to FlagstaffInMotion@mountainline.az.gov and/or by leaving a message on the project phone line at (928) 851-3888.
The framework for the Flagstaff in Motion plan will be based on the results of community feedback and a comprehensive technical evaluation. The plan development process is anticipated to conclude in December 2021.
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.
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 Receives Grant to Combat Human Trafficking
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 4, 2020) – Mountain Line was one of 24 organizations across the country to receive grant funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative.
The grant funding is for projects to help prevent human trafficking and other crimes on public transportation. Mountain Line received more than $87,000 to conduct a human trafficking awareness and public safety campaign, procure an app that allows bus drivers and riders to report suspicious behavior, and provide transit passes for human trafficking survivors involved in workforce training programs.
Mountain Line will partner with Northland Family Help Center (NFHC) to leverage existing efforts of the Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking (FIAT), which currently provides trainings, conducts data collection, and supports anti-trafficking efforts with law enforcement.
Flagstaff’s proximity to major interstates and easy travel to and from several large cities makes it a prime spot for human trafficking, and public transit has been identified nationwide as one of the industries most susceptible to transporting victims. This partnership between Mountain Line and FIAT will bring new resources to the community to educate the general public and transit operators on how to identify and report suspicious behavior.
“Human trafficking and the public transit industry continue to have significant crossover and Flagstaff is not immune to these issues,” said Flagstaff City Councilmember and NAIPTA Board Chair Jamie Whelan. “The incredible work that Northland Family Help Center has already done in this arena combined with Mountain Line’s expertise and new funding will be an incredible resource for our community.”
“Human Trafficking has been identified as a pervasive issue in the Flagstaff area, as 297 adults and 40 youth reporting being victims of this horrific crime type since September of 2017,” said NFHC Director of Human Trafficking Services Kate Wyatt. “Northland Family Help Center and Flagstaff Initiative Against Trafficking believe that working with Mountain Line is vital to ending human trafficking in our area.”
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 secures $17.3 million in grant funding for transit projects
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (November 25, 2019) – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced today that Mountain Line will receive $17.3 million through the Section 5339 (b) Bus and Bus Facilities grant for construction of a new Downtown Connection Center and the purchase of zero-emissions vehicles.
Transit systems across the country compete for these funds, regardless of size or ridership, meaning that Mountain Line was up against systems in communities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. The $17.3 million represents one of the highest award given during this grant cycle.
Mountain Line already received a competitive grant through FTA, awarded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), for the planning and development of a new Downtown Connection Center. Since the current facility was built in 2008 Mountain Line’s ridership has increased 150 percent and the number of buses accessing the facility daily has increased by 125 percent. The new funds will make these plans a reality, allowing for construction of the actual facility. The new Downtown Connection Center is slated to remain in the same location (Phoenix Ave. between Beaver St. and Milton Rd.), and will be built to accommodate current and future service levels, provide customer service amenities, and enable partnership opportunities.
“A grant award of this magnitude will impact not only Mountain Line, but this entire community for many years to come,” said Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority Chair and Flagstaff City Councilmember Jamie Whelan. “We appreciate [Sens.] Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Tom O’Halleran, and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey for their leadership and support of Mountain Line’s grant application.”
The Bus and Bus Facilities grant award also includes funding to purchase zero-emissions vehicles as the current fleet retires. Mountain Line currently operates a 100 percent hybrid-electric fleet and is conducting a planning study to determine the most efficient and cost-effective fleet option to pursue in the future.
“Building a new Downtown Connection Center and taking the first steps to establishing a zero-emission fleet are critical components to a more sustainable future for Mountain Line and the Flagstaff community,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Erika Mazza. “Partnerships will be paramount to accomplishing these ambitious projects, and we look forward to working with our community partners to move transit forward.”
This grant award comes on the heels of a separate award from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for the design of a new bus storage facility on the Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus and a Facility Master Plan for Mountain Line’s headquarters on Kaspar Dr. The projects funded through all of these grants are complementary and will ultimately create a more cohesive and efficient transit system.
Mountain Line is the transit system in Flagstaff, Ariz., serving more than 2.5 million riders a year on nine routes.
NAIPTA Board Names Interim CEO And General Manager
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 19, 2020) – The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) Board of Directors named Heather Dalmolin the Interim CEO and General Manager of Mountain Line at a meeting today.
Current CEO and General Manager Erika Mazza announced that she was stepping down from the position earlier this month. Dalmolin currently serves 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.
As part of the interim management structure, Mountain Line Development Director Kate Morley will take on the Interim Deputy General Manager role. Morley has been with the agency for more than four years and oversees Planning, Development, and Mobility Management.
The NAIPTA Board will pursue the recruitment of a permanent candidate for the position while Dalmolin and Morley lead the organization during the transition.
“The NAIPTA Board is pleased to have such a qualified internal candidate to lead this agency on an interim basis and keep the strong work of the Mountain Line team moving forward,” said Flagstaff City Councilmember and NAIPTA Board Chair Jamie Whelan. “From keeping the internal operations running smoothly to maintaining positive relationships with external stakeholders, we are confident that Heather and Kate will make this a seamless transition.”
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.