Press Releases Archives - Mountain Line | Fixed Route Service in Flagstaff

MOUNTAIN LINE DETOURS AND TEMP STOPS FOR BUTLER AND LONE TREE CONSTRUCTION

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 27, 2026) – Beginning March 2, 2026, Mountain Line’s Routes 4 and 14 will operate on a detour for the construction at Butler and Lone Tree, and several stop closures are in place:

Route 4, Stop 16 (Lone Tree/Franklin northbound): Temporary stop available on the south side of Sawmill Rd., in front of Liz Archuleta County Park.
Route 14, Stop 4 (Lone Tree/Franklin southbound): Temporary stops available on the north side of Sawmill Rd., east of Windsor Ln. near The Grove covered parking, and south on Lone Tree, just north of O’Leary.
Routes 3, 4, 7 westbound stops at Butler Sawmill (Greyhound): Temporary stop available to the east on Butler Ave., just east of Sawmill Rd.
Routes 3, 7, 14 eastbound stops at Butler/Elden: This stop is closed. Route 14 riders are advised to use the existing stop at Butler and San Francisco or the temporary stop on the north side of Sawmill Rd., just east of Windsor Ln. near The Grove covered parking. Routes 3 and 7 riders are advised to use the existing stop at Butler/San Francisco or Butler/Cambridge (Whole Foods).
Routes 3, 4, 7 westbound stops at Butler/Elden: Temporary stop available to the west on Buter Ave., at O’Leary St.

Construction on this phase of the Butler and Lone Tree project is anticipated to last through November 2026. Click here for a map of the full construction area, including all detours, stop closures, and temporary stops.

MOUNTAIN LINE SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 23, 2026) –The Mountain Line Board of Directors has opened a public comment period related to proposed Mountain Line service changes for August 2026. These include:

Route 2

Addition of two eastbound bus stops on McMillan Mesa: Pine Cliff and Forest Ave. (near The Lofts apartments) and Gemini Rd. and Jasper Dr. (near the Arizona State Veteran Home).

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Mountain Line brought consistent eastbound service to the McMillan Mesa area in July 2025, after operating just school time deviations for several years. The demand for transit service in that corridor continues to increase, and these two additional stops will provide more access for the residents, businesses, schools, and facilities in this area.

Route 3

Increased weekday peak frequency (approx. 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.) to 20 minutes from the current peak frequency of 30 minutes.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Voters approved Proposition 488 in November 2024, which included increased frequency on several routes. More frequent bus service allows riders more freedom and flexibility when taking transit.

Route 5

Addition of a westbound bus stop on Highway 180 and Whiting Rd., near the Starpoint Apartments.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Mountain Line and the City of Flagstaff are implementing a grant-funded “First Mile Last Mile” project, which aims to improve pedestrian and bike access to bus stops. As part of this project, there will be a new crosswalk developed at Highway 180 and Whiting Rd. There is a gap in Mountain Line’s westbound bus stops in this corridor, and the addition of a crosswalk provides an opportunity to safely add a companion stop to the nearby eastbound stop.

Route 8

Route 8 will extend service on the W. Route 66 corridor by making a full loop from Woody Mountain Rd. to McAllister Ranch Rd. and Alvan Clark Blvd. before returning to W. Route 66. New proposed bus stops at:

McAllister and Charon
Alvan Clark Blvd. (Adora at Timber Sky)
Alvan Clark Blvd. (Woody Mountain Apartments
Route 66/Woody Mountain Rd. (LivTimber)
Route 66/Thompson St. (eastbound)

With the extended service on W. Route 66, it is proposed that Route 8 no longer serves the Thompson St. / University Ave. / Woodlands Village Blvd. loop, impacting service to the following stops:

Stop 10 on Thompson St., south of W. Route 66 – this stop would be removed. Riders who use this stop will be able to access the new stop on W. Route 66 and Thompson St.
Stop 11 on University Ave. and Forest Meadows St. – this bus stop is also served by Route 10 and will not be removed.
Stop 12 at Woodlands Village Blvd. and University Ave. – This stop would be removed.

Purpose of Proposed Service Change: Voters approved Proposition 488 in November 2024, which included service to new areas. The W. Route 66 corridor is rapidly developing and has long been a priority area for transit improvements when funding became available.

Route 66

Increased weekday peak frequency (approx. 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.) to 20 minutes from the current peak frequency of 30 minutes. Addition of a bus stop on eastbound Hwy 89 and E. Trails End Dr., offering more convenient transit access to the Sacred Peaks Health Center.

Visit https://mountainline.az.gov/servicechanges/ for full details on the proposed changes.

Comments can be submitted through April 15, 2026:

Via telephone at 928.679.8921
Via email at transportation@mountainline.az.gov
Via the Mountain Line website at mountainline.az.gov/contact
Via mail or in-person at 216 W. Phoenix Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Via public comments at the public Board of Directors meeting on March 18 or April 15 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (these can be provided written, virtual, or in-person; more details at https://mountainline.az.gov/about-us/board-of-directors/)

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.

2025-2026 MOUNTAIN EXPRESS SEASON KICKS OFF ON DECEMBER 26

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (December 22, 2025) – This year’s Mountain Express transit service between downtown Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl kicks off on Dec. 26, featuring buses departing downtown about every 20 minutes, a free park-n-ride at Flagstaff High School and new this year – service through March.

Mountain Express is a partnership between Arizona Snowbowl and Mountain Line, funded by Arizona Snowbowl and offered free of charge to all passengers. The route begins and terminates at the Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center on Phoenix Ave. All buses will stop at Flagstaff High School on Kendrick St., with a free park-n-ride lot available in the lots east of Kendrick between Sullivan and Elm. Mountain Express buses will also stop at Mountain Line’s existing Route 5 stops on Highway 180 at the Pioneer Museum (northbound) and at Stevanna (southbound). Service dates and times include:

Daily December 26 – January 4, Saturdays & Sundays in January, February, and March (Mar. 29 is last day)

To Arizona Snowbowl: First bus departs the Downtown Connection Center at 7:30 a.m. and buses depart about every 20 minutes until 4:34 p.m., stopping at Flagstaff High School, Pioneer Museum, and Hart Prairie Lodge.
To Downtown: First bus departs Hart Prairie Lodge at 8:20 a.m. and buses depart about every 20 minutes until 5:30 p.m., stopping at Highway 180 & Stevanna, Flagstaff High School and the Downtown Connection Center.

Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/mountainexpress for additional details and a full schedule and download the Transit app for real time arrival information. Riders can board at other Mountain Line stops (fare must be paid to board other routes) and connect to the Mountain Express at the Downtown Connection Center. NAU students can ride Route 10 for free to connect to the Mountain Express.

About Arizona Snowbowl
Situated in the majestic San Francisco Peaks at 9,500 feet and just 14 miles north of Flagstaff, Snowbowl is home to Arizona’s longest ski season. With state-of-the-art snowmaking and 260-inches of annual snowfall, Snowbowl offers the premier winter experience with 8 lifts including the Arizona Gondola, taking riders up 2,000 feet of vertical in less than seven minutes. Snowbowl is also the ideal summertime destination with on-mountain activities, scenic gondola rides, and stunning views of Sedona’s red rocks, the cinder cone volcanic field and Grand Canyon’s rim. Snowbowl features a variety of dining, lodging, shopping, and continues to enhance its offerings with capital improvements adding year-round activities and infrastructure. Learn more at Snowbowl.ski

Also see: Instagram.com/AZSnowbowl, Facebook.com/AZSnowbowl and Twitter.com/AZSnowbowl

MOUNTAIN LINE IMPLEMENTING SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS ON JULY 27, 2025

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (July 23, 2025) – Public transit in Flagstaff is getting an upgrade on July 27 when Mountain Line launches services enhancements on several routes.

These service enhancements are designed to make the overall transit system more efficient, and several are made possible by Proposition 488 – Delivering More Transit.

“We are thrilled to deliver on several of the components of Proposition 488, including increased frequency and convenience, and service to new areas,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “This is just the beginning of the transit transformation we will implement over the next few years.”

Service enhancements include:

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

Route 8 – Service to New Area
Route 8 will extend along West Route 66 and Woody Mountain Rd. to provide new transit service to this growing area. The service will run every 30 minutes, seven days a week. Due to ongoing construction in this corridor, the new service will launch with a few modifications:

Stop 7 (Woody Mountain Rd. / Patio del Presidio): The housing complex associated with this new stop is still under construction and the stop area is inaccessible. A temp stop will be set up across the street, on Woody Mountain Rd., south of Patio del Presidio.
Stop 8 (Rt. 66/Northwestern St. – Wildwood Hills): Stop will not be served until August 3.
Stop 9 (Rt. 66/Railroad Spring Blvd. – Kit Carson): Stop will not be served until this fall.

Route 8 riders should always board the bus on your side of the street and exit the bus on the same side of the street as your final destination. Stay safe – never run across the street to shorten your ride time. Stay on the bus and loop around the route – it only adds five minutes to your travel time.

Route 2 – Service Enhancement
The eastbound (toward the mall) deviation to Gemini Rd. and BASIS/FJA will become a permanent part of the route, 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. This service change allows Mountain Line to more effectively serve the growing McMillan Mesa area, while taking the time to engage in a feasibility study about a left turn from Pine Cliff to Cedar Ave. that would enable the route to run in this corridor in both directions.

Routes 4/14 – Service Enhancement
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 and removed due to the reroute:

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

Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/servicechanges for full details on the service enhancements.
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 DETOURS AND TEMP STOPS FOR BUTLER AND LONE TREE CONSTRUCTION

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (February 18, 2025) –

Beginning February 18, 2025, Mountain Line’s Routes 4 and 14 will operate on a detour for the construction at Butler and Lone Tree, and several stop closures are in place:

Route 4, Stop 16 (Lone Tree/Franklin northbound): Temporary stop available on the south side of Sawmill Rd., in front of Liz Archuleta County Park.
Route 14, Stop 4 (Lone Tree/Franklin southbound): Temporary stops available on the north side of Sawmill Rd., east of Windsor Ln. near The Grove covered parking, and south on Lone Tree, just north of O’Leary.
Routes 3, 4, 7 westbound stops at Butler Sawmill (Greyhound): Temporary stop available to the east on Butler Ave., just east of Sawmill Rd.
Routes 3, 4, 7 westbound stops at Butler Elden: Temporary stop available to the west on Buter Ave., at O’Leary St.

Construction on this phase of the Butler and Lone Tree project is anticipated to last through October 2025. Click here for a map of the full construction area, including all detours, stop closures, and temporary stops.

Click here to view the map.

MOUNTAIN LINE SECURES $16.3 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR MAINTENANCE FACILITY

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (June 28, 2023) –

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Monday that Mountain Line will receive $16.3 million through the Bus and Bus Facilities Grant to build a new maintenance facility.

Mountain Line’s grant was one of 130 awards totaling nearly $1.7 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects in 46 states and territories.

Mountain Line is currently using a separate FTA Bus and Bus Facilities Grant award for the
construction of the new Downtown Connection Center. When that facility opens and Mountain Line’s
administrative and customer service teams relocate, the current space in the Kaspar Dr. facility will
be repurposed to better meet the agency’s fleet and maintenance needs. The new facility will
improve and expand maintenance capabilities, and create the capacity for Mountain Line’s
transition to a zero-emission fleet.

“We appreciate U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, and Arizona Reps. David Cook and Mae Peshlakai for their leadership and support of our grant application,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Mountain Line proudly services and maintains our entire fleet and this new facility will allow our team to effectively take care of our vehicles now and as we grow into the future.”

For more information on the grant funding, visit https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-17-billion-help-put-better-cleaner-buses.

Mountain Line officially breaks ground on new Downtown Connection Center

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (May 31, 2023) –

In a ceremony attended by local, state, and federal officials, Mountain Line officially broke ground on its new Downtown Connection Center facility on May 31.

Located at the site of Mountain Line’s current Downtown Connection Center on Phoenix Ave., the new facility will provide necessities, including restrooms, customer service, operations and dispatch spaces, and administration offices. It will be a multimodal connection center and provide for long-term service expansion, regional transportation Services, and be a hub of bike and pedestrian activity.

The project is funded by a $17.3 million Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facilities Grant, along with one-time capital funds from the State of Arizona and land from the City of Flagstaff that was used as local match for the grant.

Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/dcc for full project details and current construction status.

MOUNTAIN LINE ROLLS OUT SERVICE CHANGES AND NEW RIDE GUIDE ON JAN. 16

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (January 12, 2023) – Mountain Line is rolling out a new Ride Guide on Monday, January 16 and reinstating full service on all routes. Highlights include:

Routes 2 and 4 will return to full weekday service hours.
BASIS Flagstaff families and riders who use the Route 2 deviations should note that the times the stops on Gemini are served will revert to the regular weekday schedule on Monday, January 16. The schedule differences are as follows:

https://mountainline.az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Route-2.jpg

Route 10 will operate on a new schedule with Monday-Thursday service differing from Friday service. Weekend service will remain the same. A full schedule can be found at: https://mountainline.az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mountain-Line-Route-10-Schedule.pdf

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.

Learn More

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.