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

PROPOSITION 488 – CITY OF FLAGSTAFF TRANSIT TAX

Proposition 488 will be on the November 2024 City of Flagstaff ballot, asking voters to consider renewing the existing transit tax (29.5 cents on a $100 purchase) and increasing it to 50 cents on a $100 purchase to fund transit improvements, through 2040.

Mountain Line currently operates fixed route bus service on nine routes, paratransit service, vanpool, and seasonal Mountain Express service to Arizona Snowbowl. Established in 2001, Mountain Line has grown into a system that employs more than 100 people and transports nearly 2 million riders a year.

The current transit tax rate was established in 2008, and Mountain Line has delivered on the service improvements promised in that ballot proposition. Proposition 488 would allow Mountain Line to accommodate the rising costs associated with continuing to deliver this service, along with expanding transit to better serve the community. Proposition 488 transit improvements would include:

Frequency: Mountain Line would increase frequency on most routes to make transit a more convenient choice for the community.
Service Hours: Mountain Line would extend service hours on several days of the week to offer more transit service for employees who don’t work traditional schedules.
Service to New Areas: Mountain Line’s current budget can only accommodate the service we currently offer and does not give us the opportunity to respond to community growth and development patterns by expanding our areas of service. New funding would allow Mountain Line to bring transit to new areas in Flagstaff.
Electric Buses: New funding would allow Mountain Line to continue the transition to electric buses as our hybrid electric buses reach the end of their useful life.

Mountain Line will join the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County for an Open House on Thursday, September 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the Flagstaff Aquaplex. The public is invited to learn more about the three propositions on the November 2024 ballot.

Visit www.mountainline.az.gov/prop488 to learn more.

MOUNTAIN LINE MAKES GETTING TO SCHOOL EASY, CONVENIENT, AND SAFE

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (July 31, 2024) – 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.

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 Transit 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.

Most Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) middle and high school students are eligible to get a free Mountain Line pass, paid for by the district. FUSD families can call or visit the Mountain Line office to get more information.

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 STOP CLOSURES AND TEMP STOPS FOR MILTON/UNIVERSITY UNDERPASS CONSTRUCTION

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona (August 16, 2024) – The next phase of construction for the Milton/University underpass begins on Monday, August 19, which will impact Mountain Line Routes 4 and 14. The following stop closures and temporary stops will be in place:
Route 4

Route 4, Stop 3 (Milton Rd. /University Av. – Wendy’s) closed – a temp stop is available about 600 ft. north near Stinkin’ Crawfish.
Route 4, Stop 4 (Milton Rd./Forest Meadows) closed – a temp stop is available on Beulah Blvd. near La Quinta. Riders should walk up Forest Meadows, turn right on Beulah, and the stop is about 200 feet ahead, on the west side of the road.
After serving the temp stop at Stinkin’ Crawfish, Route 4 will detour off Milton Rd., turning right on University Ave., using the new roundabout, then heading south on Beulah Blvd. to serve the temp stop near La Quinta.

Route 14

Route 14, Stop 16 (Milton Rd. / University Av. – Target) closed – a temp stop is available about 650 ft. north, in front of Chili’s.
Route 14 will not detour during the construction, but delays are to be expected in this corridor.

If riders are unable to access the temp stops due to a disability, please call 928-779-6624 to inquire about a reasonable modification.

Riders can use the Transit app to get real time bus arrival information for the temp stops during the construction project. 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. Established in 2001, Mountain Line has grown into a system that employs more than 100 people and transports nearly 2 million riders a year. For more information, visit mountainline.az.gov

Download the detour map here.

MOUNTAIN LINE MAKES GETTING TO SCHOOL EASY, CONVENIENT, AND SAFE – RENEW FOR THE SPRING 2024 SEMESTER

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (December 20, 2023) –

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 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

Ride Mountain Line FREE to the Coconino County Fair

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (September 1, 2021) – The 2021 Coconino County Fair is September 3-6 and Mountain Line is again partnering with Coconino County Parks & Recreation to offer free transportation to fairgoers.

This partnership allows fairgoers to save the $5 parking fee and enjoy a convenient, comfortable, hassle-free way to travel to one of the biggest events of the year. Per federal mandate, face coverings are required on all Mountain Line vehicles.

West Side Shuttle Service
The west side pickup spot for the free fair bus is at the NAU parking lot (Lot P62) on Pine Knoll Dr. Additionally, there will be a pickup at the Mountain Line bus stop on Beulah Ave. near Walmart (accessible via Routes 4 and 10) on the way to the fair, and a drop-off at the Red Lobster/Olive Garden bus stop (accessible via Routes 10 and 14) on the way back. The West Side Shuttle schedule is as follows:

• Friday, September 3: Buses to the Fort Tuthill Coconino County Fairgrounds begin running from Lot P62 at 4 p.m. and the last bus departs the fairgrounds at 10:30 p.m. Runs every 40 minutes.
• Saturday, September 4 & Sunday, September 5: Buses to the fair begin running from Lot P62 at 10 a.m. and the last bus departs the fairgrounds at 10:30 p.m. Runs every 20 minutes.
• Monday, September 6: Buses to the fair begin running from Lot P62 at 10 a.m. and the last bus departs the fairgrounds at 4:30 p.m. Runs every 20 minutes.

For more information, please call Mountain Line at 928.779.6624 or visit mountainline.az.gov. For information about the Coconino County Fair, visit coconinocountyfair.com.

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.