Bolt! Magazine

MISSOULA

Missoula MovesIN TRANSIT TO A BETTER MISSOULA

Zeroing InMISSOULA GOES ZERO-FARE

Living ConnectedAPARTMENT COMMUNITIES MAKE THE COMMUTE

Getting there is half the fun. Ride the line.

Only 100 hospitals in the United States are ranked among the best, andProvidence St. Patrick Hospital is one of them. � at means our patients getextraordinary care from professionals who are at the top of their skills and experience.

Because of our level of care, we’re not just a choice, we’re the right choice.

it should be one ofthe best in America.

If you’re choosing a hospital in Missoula,

2014

� at’s Powerful Medicine.

MOUNTAIN LINE | MOUNTAINLINE.COM | (406) 721-3333 | MISSOULA 3

4 WELCOME ABOARD Letters from Michael Tree and

Eric Hines

6 QUITE A RIDE The story of Mountain Line

8 ZEROING IN Missoula goes zero-fare in 2015

11 COUNTDOWN Mountain Line by the numbers

12 BOLT! MISSOULA Lighting strikes every 15 minutes

14 LIVING CONNECTED Apartment communities make the

commute

18 NIGHT LIFE Enjoy late evening service until 10pm

19 DESTINATIONS Hot spots along Mountain Line routes

20 GRIZ RIDERS UM students and staff hop on board

22 MISSOULA MOVES In transit to a better Missoula

25 TALES FROM THE BIKE LANE Making friends with Mountain Line

26 WATCH AND LEARN How-to videos make riding easy

27 SNEAK PEEK New bus designs to paint the town

CONTENTS

Any reproduction or reprint of this guide, or portion thereof, without written permission from Mountain Line is prohibited. Information subject to change without notification. Please call published telephone numbers to confirm

details. Published by MMG, Montana Marketing Group.

Published by: Montana Marketing Group500 South Higgins, Missoula, MT | 406-523-0474 mmgmontana.com | [email protected]

4 MISSOULA | MOUNTAINLINE.COM | (406) 721-3333 | MOUNTAIN LINE

Welcome Aboard

THERE’S AN AMAZING STORY happening in Missoula, but it’s possible you haven’t heard about it. More than ever, residents are craving improved

transportation options in our unique city, and Mountain Line is responding in big ways thanks to the vision of community leaders and the Mountain Line team that is showing real entrepreneurial spirit. The developing landscape at Mountain Line includes service

that’s easy to use and evolving. We recently introduced the first ever 15 minute all-day bus frequency on our busiest route, which we aptly branded BOLT! service. Residents fell in love with the incredible convenience of having a bus at their stop every 15 minutes and quickly approved funding for a second BOLT! route that will begin service on January 5, 2015. Complementing more BOLT! service in January will be late evening service that allows buses to run until 10 p.m. on the system’s four busiest routes. The service will be game changing for residents working in the evening, and for those looking to shop and be entertained at the best attractions and businesses Missoula has to offer.

But…there’s one more thing. Thanks to generous community partners, Mountain Line will begin operating as a zero-fare system on January 5th! That’s right. Zero as in nada. Zip. $0. Zero-fare systems offer the ultimate in convenience for residents. This, together with more BOLT! and late evening service, will change the way Missoulian’s view transportation in their great city. Need some help getting on board at Mountain Line? Look no further than our website and social media tools. On the website you’ll find an incredible, easy-to-use Trip Planner powered by Google. You can also use our custom Events Calendar to make sure you don’t miss your favorite concert or other activities served by Mountain Line. Finally, you can receive the latest information on Missoula transit by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter (@MslaBus). At Mountain Line, we believe Missoula and Mountain Line were made for each other. We remain committed to continuing the innovation and excitement already generated in the past year of big changes. Don’t forget, getting there is half the fun. See you on the line.

Sincerely,

Michael S. TreeGENERAL MANAGER, MOUNTAIN LINE

MICHAEL TREE GENERAL MANAGER, MOUNTAIN LINE

Missoula and Mountain Line were made for each other. Our commitment is to continue the innovation and excitement.


AS WE ROLL INTO 2015, Missoulians are once again taking ownership of our community's future by participating in an update to the City's growth policy. The theme for this new planning update is: “Our Missoula. Looking Inward. Moving Forward.” This is a great theme because looking and focusing inward is our best opportunity for a livable, healthy and vibrant Missoula. The Missoula Urban Transportation District, the unit of local government that operates the Mountain Line bus system, applauds Missoulians for their foresight in not only planning for the future, but implementing it. As a transportation district we have gone to great lengths to do our part to focus inward by putting quality service where most people live, work and play. And thanks to continued public investment, we will continue to do our part to move Missoula forward with easy to use public transportation where modern buses arrive frequently at attractive stops, and operate throughout the day and into the late evening. We’re approaching 1 million annual rides on Mountain Line and with major improvements coming in January, we’ll grow to more than 1.4 million annual rides over the next three years. This strong growth represents a better quality of life

for everyone in our community. It is thousands of Missoulians getting to work, students getting to class on time to make the most of their education, and seniors and residents with disabilities remaining active and mobile. It also means less congestion

on our roadways and better air. And with our community partners and ongoing community support, Mountain Line will continue to benefit us all. We hope you enjoy this first issue of BOLT! Magazine and learn more about how you can experience one of the best small urban transportation systems in America. See you on board.

Sincerely

Eric HinesBOARD CHAIRMAN,MISSOULA URBAN TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

ERIC HINES BOARD CHAIRMAN, MISSOULA

URBAN TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT

Our Missoula. Looking Inward. Moving Forward.

ON THE COVER: Enjoy Missoula through healthy transportation. Riding your bike and riding the bus make getting there half the fun. See more on biking with Mountain Line on page 25. Photo by Nelson Kenter.

Mountain Line bus in the fall. Photo by Debra Minez.

MISSOULA

Missoula MovesIN TRANSIT TO A BETTER MISSOULA

Zeroing InMISSOULA GOES ZERO-FARE

Living ConnectedAPARTMENT COMMUNITIES MAKE THE COMMUTE

Getting there is half the fun. Ride the line.


THERE WAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE IN 1976. In addition to the bicentennial, it was a leap year and an election year. Apple made its debut, the two-dollar bill made a comeback, and the Seattle Seahawks played their first game. Closer to home, the Salish Kootenai College was founded and Norman Maclean published A River Runs Through It. And in Missoula, the Missoula Urban Transportation District, the parent organization for Mountain Line, was born. Nearly 40 years later, Mountain Line plays an important role in keeping Missoulians connected. Today, Mountain Line is ready to offer zero-fare service to the Missoula community, a pioneering service made possible by generous community partners and support from the City of Missoula. A growing need for public transportation led to a community vote to create what would become Mountain Line. But Missoula wasn’t quite the same urban, 24-square-mile city in 1976 as it is today. For the grand sum of 25 cents, passengers rode any of four original buses along three routes. People liked the easy access the bus provided, and it didn’t take long for Mountain Line to expand. By 1978, six new routes and 10 new buses were added to the lineup, shuttling thousands more Missoulians every year. The new routes brought people to stops all around

the community, answering the demand for more service. When the gas shortage hit in the early ‘80s, Mountain Line was ready for the sharp increase in ridership. As the city grew and changed, adding new residential and destination areas, the bus routes changed with it. All along, Mountain Line kept looking for better ways to serve everyone in the community. It started with a partnership with University of Montana that allowed students, faculty, and staff to ride for free. Next came the summer Kids Ride Free program, and then Park and Ride options. The Senior Van service, launched in 2009, provides curb-to-curb service for people over age 60 by reservation. Mountain Line built up a robust paratransit fleet to provide essential services to seniors and the disabled. Over the years, service hours have increased, routes have been extended, and buses continued to improve and meet high standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Missoulians have responded. Ridership numbers have increased, reaching an impressive high of nearly one million rides in 2012. More and more, people appreciate the environmental and economic benefits of public transportation. Community members aren’t the only ones

The story of Mountain Line


Rider Profile: CRYSTAL STIPE COPY EDITOR FOR LIVELY TIMESINTERESTS: BIG SPORTS FAN, READING AND WRITING, SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

" I ride Mountain Line buses because I don't have a driver's license and riding the buses enables me to get around town on my own."

who think quality public transportation is important. Organizations like Community Medical Center and the Missoula Downtown Association, and businesses like Karl Tyler Chevrolet, recognize that an efficient bus system means employees can get to work easier, customers can get to businesses faster, and everyone has better access to critical services like healthcare. These companies, and others, have teamed up with Mountain Line to make riding the bus even more convenient. In 2011, Community Medical Center added free Wi-Fi to buses. Every year, there’s something new to improve Mountain Line’s service. In addition to the 12 fixed routes, there’s a new BOLT! route featuring frequent and fast service to some of the most popular destinations in Missoula. On Route 1, which runs from downtown to the University to Southgate Mall, each stop has a bus every 15 minutes. From its humble beginnings as a three-route bus system initiated by a community vote, Mountain Line has provided more than 22 million passenger trips. In 2013, Missoula voters again voiced their support of Mountain Line by approving a mill levy that will allow continued updates to their public transit system. Plans include an additional BOLT! route, late evening service and zero-fare service, making transportation even more accessible for everyone in Missoula.

Driver Bill Hartley in front of a 1926 Studebaker 12 passenger bus; part of the Lue Parker Stage Line fleet, and one of the first passenger buses in Missoula.


GET YOUR PARTY POPPERS READY, because Mountain Line has big news. Everyone can ride the bus for free beginning in January 2015. With the help of many dedicated community partners, Mountain Line introduces its zero-fare service just in time for New Year’s resolutions. Get more exercise, spend less money, and reduce your carbon footprint all at once.

Missoula isn’t the first to go the zero-fare route. Research from 39 other communities with zero-fare systems has shown ridership increases between 20 percent and 60 percent within months after the system is put in place. The most recent public transit agency to go zero-fare is in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2011, which resulted in a 43 percent increase in ridership within two months, with no increase in service hours.

Zeroing in on Zero-FareMissoula goes zero-fare in 2015

Zeroing in on zero-fareMissoula goes zero-fare in 2015

The Mountain Line Trolley services Saturday markets bringing Missoulians to fresh produce and local art. Photo by Chris Stanick.


The service is a part of Mountain Line’s ongoing effort to make Missoula a more livable community. Instead of charging riders, funds to operate the bus system come from community partners, and the benefits are significant. Missoulians are often classified as health-conscious, socially-minded, and environmentally-friendly. The zero-fare initiative delivers on all three concepts and does so with no tax increase to local residents. The zero-fare program will allow everyone, regardless of income, to use the system. Workers are much more likely to keep their job if they can get to it on a regular basis. Businesses succeed when customers can make it through the doors. And property values improve when residents have access to the rest of the community. Twelve routes now available at no charge, plus special services to seniors and those with disabilities mean that everyone has access to transportation throughout the community. The environmental benefits are easy to track. More riders mean fewer cars on the street, which means fewer gallons of gas are consumed and emissions decrease — an important issue for a town that sees the occasional inversion and Stage II air alert. As an added bonus, fewer cars also leads to decreased traffic congestion and reduced parking problems. Although it may seem like a small change, even the few extra steps to get to the bus stop make a big difference in health. As few as an extra 2,000 steps per day can lead to better cardiovascular health and reduced risk for heart attack and stroke. And in a bike friendly city like Missoula, people can combine biking with riding using the racks at the front of the buses and utilizing Mountain Line bike stations for storage

Zeroing in on Zero-FareMissoula goes zero-fare in 2015

Twelve routes now available at no charge, plus special services to seniors and those with disabilities mean that everyone has access to transportation throughout the community.

Things to doWhat can you get accomplished on a bus?

❏ Read a book❏ Write a blog❏ Chat with friends❏ Meet new friends❏ Listen to music❏ Talk on the phone❏ Coffee break❏ Study break❏ Homework❏ "Work" work❏ Selfies❏ #hashtags❏ Nature watch❏ People watch❏ Save money❏ Save time❏ Improve air quality❏ Improve traffic congestion❏ Enjoy yourself❏ Enjoy the ride!


and repair. Beyond leveling out some economic imbalances, improving air quality, and making it easier for people to live a healthy lifestyle, a zero-fare system increases efficiency for Mountain Line operations. No fares means no special equipment is required to collect payment, which saves on maintenance costs. These savings can be invested into the improvement of services. When drivers don’t have to collect fares, service is smoother and more efficient, allowing travel time to decrease. Without fares, Mountain Line riders will get where they need to go faster than ever. Since its beginning in 1976, Mountain Line has worked to improve access and service for everyone in Missoula. Routes have changed and expanded with the population. Buses have been updated to serve people of all abilities. Community partners have stepped up to make it more convenient to ride. A zero-fare Mountain Line system is just one more piece of a larger public transit puzzle in Missoula. It will connect more Missoulians to more places at more times than ever before.

Download our NEW mobile app, Mountain Line Transit, for real-time bus tracking,

rider alerts and route schedules.

Do you need a place to live?Check out Missoula Housing Authority!We have many options depending on your needs

Subsidized Housing (Section 8, ShelterPlus Care, Public Housing)Affordable Housing (LIHTC, Silvertip)Homeownership Opportunities (RuralDevelopment Self Help, Section 8Homeownership)

www.missoulahousing.org

Call or schedule an appointment formore information

(406) 549-4113


Mountain Line COUNTDOWN

1 MILLIONThe approximate number of Mountain Line boardings each year in Missoula

$0

22 MILLION The number of passenger trips Mountain Line has provided since 1976

2012: The year the first BOLT! route was introduced, creating the first ever 15 minute all-day service in Missoula

33,277: The number of bikes Mountain Line buses transported in 2013

1976: The year when the Missoula Urban Transportation District was approved by Missoula voters, clearing the way for the creation of Mountain Line

40 CENTS: Cost to ride Mountain Line in 1977

36 SQUARE MILESThe area Mountain Line serves, including Missoula, East Missoula, Bonner, Target Range, Rattlesnake and Mullan Road

12: The number of fixed routes Mountain Line offers

$0: Cost to ride Mountain Line in 2015 with the launch of a Zero-Fare system

$1: Cost to ride Mountain Line in 2014

40₵



Frequency equals convenience. That’s why Mountain Line created BOLT! service. There is less time waiting for a bus, less confusion on bus times and schedules, and more time to enjoy your ride and your destination. If you happen to miss your bus, no worries. The next one is on its way! BOLT! is a route designation. When you see it on a map or sign, it means that each stop along the route will have a bus to pick you up every 15 minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Currently Route 1, which runs from downtown to the University and to Southgate Mall is a designated BOLT! route. Starting January 2015, Route 2 which runs from downtown to St. Patrick Hospital to Reserve Street and to Southgate Mall will also have BOLT! frequency. BOLT! service means buses now run on your schedule.

Who says lightning only strikes once?

With BOLT! service, our buses strike every 15 minutes.


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Routes 1 & 2Effective January 5, 2015.


AS THE MISSOULA AREA continues to grow, more and more residents are choosing to focus inward and live in central locations. Quick access to shopping areas, dining, public transportation and downtown events are becoming top priorities for tenants. “I’ve come to love living downtown, the Corso is central to everything,” said Lilian Schell, 46. A new resident to the Corso Apartment Homes Community, Schell enjoys the convenient setting of her new home. The central locale provides quick access to the mall, downtown and the University of Montana. Getting to these areas is even easier with the frequently stopping Mountain Line buses and the Milwaukee Trail that runs by the development. Schell finds being located near downtown has its perks. She enjoys her short commute to her job as a teacher at Paxson Elementary School and being within walking distance of the nearby Good Food Store. “There are families here, people going for walks and kids riding bikes,” said Schell of the family-friendly environment. “I have a dog that I enjoy taking for walks and the Milwaukee Trail is right here.” The Corso community, located on Russell Street, also boasts a host of other amenities including an onsite gym, as well as a pool and Wi-Fi enabled clubhouse. “We also have a community garden right on the Milwaukee Trail,” said Corso Homes Business Manager Stacy Parker, 35. “You can pretty much get anywhere.” Parker agrees that the central location, and ease of navigating the city is a draw for new residents. The Corso community isn’t the only apartment development in town that makes it easy to get around without a vehicle.

Living Connected Apartment communities make the commuteBy Jessica Lowry

Missoula’s newest apartment community, Corso offers a gym, pool and clubhouse. Photo by Megan Richter.


Copper Run at Reserve apartment homes on Great Northern Avenue also draws residents who are looking to quickly get around Missoula without a car. Located within walking distance of the restaurants and retail businesses of Reserve Street, the development also caters to individuals looking to get downtown or to the university using public transportation. “The bus is a big draw at Copper Run … because the bus runs right on that street,” said Copper Run at Reserve resident and leasing consultant Adina Peters, 32. The complex also boasts a pool, fitness center and clubhouse for residents like Peters who has lived there for the last four years. “I feel like it’s a really cozy, friendly community,” Peters said. She frequently rides her bike from her apartment at Copper Run to downtown where she also teaches yoga at The Peak Health and Wellness Center. “It only takes me ten minutes,” she said of her short commute. With BOLT! bus service running every 15 minutes

starting in January, getting where you need to go in town rain or shine is right at the doorstep for residents in both communities. “We always keep bus schedules in the office and people come in to pick them up,” said Peters. The stops on Great Northern Avenue for Copper Run at Reserve and Russell Street for Corso both

offer easy connections for travelers looking to go to the mall, hospital, or airport. For manager Stacy Parker you can’t beat the combination of resort amenities and easy commuting. “It’s just central to everything,” she said. “You can get anywhere from here.”

Visit mountainline.com/apartments for a full list of apartments located along BOLT! bus routes.

With BOLT! bus service running every 15 minutes starting in January, getting where you need to go in town rain or shine is right at the doorstep for residents in both communities.

Please contact us to learn moreabout living at Corso

[email protected] • (866)295-3536

North of theGood Food Store(On Russell St.betweenThird andWyoming Streets)

1580MilwaukeeWay,Missoula,Montana

• Studio,1- and 2-bedroomapts• Stylish clubhouse• Heated pool & spa

• 24-hour fitness center• 32-plot community garden• Pet-friendly

livecorso.com

Brand newresort-styleapartments

Brand newresort-styleapartments


Transportation questions?We’re here to help! We offer many servicesand resources for older adults and adultswith disabilities in Missoula County.Visit our website or call (406) 728-7682.MISSOULAAGINGSERVICES.ORG

EVENTS CALENDAR. Check out our events calendar mountainline.com/events listing all the great things happening around Missoula along Mountain Line routes.

DESTINATION MAP. Check out our destination map mountainline.com/destinations for great stops along Mountain Line routes.

Visit our website for route maps and schedules, Google powered trip planner and REAL TIME BUS TRACKER.

CALL US! Call our Information Line at 721-3333 and we’ll help you plan your trip, identify your routes and answer any questions you may have.

How can you take advantage of Mountain Line’s zero-fare, BOLT! and late evening service?

4

3

1

2

An owner-operated market with the goal of providing affordable access to

local and high quality foods.Take ownership today!

missoulafoodcoop.com 1500 Burns St. Missoula, MT


NEXT STOP: EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Line can get you to many venues and events around Missoula. Visit our events calendar online for all the great things happening around Missoula along Mountain Line routes.

mountainline.com/events


Late Evening Service Missoula asked for it and Mountain Line has responded. Late evening service will launch in 2015. Enjoy safe, affordable and healthy transportation until 10 p.m. Take advantage of Missoula after dark. Happy hour with your co-workers, Downtown Tonight with the kids, after school shopping with your friends; the possibilities are endless and the road home is a safe one. Starting in 2015, Mountain Line will operate until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday on Routes 1, 2, 6 and 7, the four most popular bus routes. Smaller buses will operate the late evening service from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on an hourly frequency.

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LATE EVENING SERVICE

Destinations =Effective January 5, 2015.


1 A CAROUSEL FOR MISSOULA Enjoy a spin on one of over 40 hand-carved ponies.

2 MISSOULA ART MUSEUM Free expression and free admission. Exhibits updated

regularly.

3 MISSOULA PUBLIC LIBRARY Think more! Daily events and classes offered free of charge.

4 MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATER Education, entertainment and enrichment for all ages!

5 CARAS PARK Missoula’s hub for outdoor events and festivals.

6 CURRENTS The sun always shines at this indoor water park and fitness pool.

7 SPLASH MONTANA Fun for all ages! Open daily during summer months.

8 WESTERN MONTANA FAIRGROUNDS Host to some exciting expositions and events year round.

9 YMCA There’s something for everyone at the family focused facility.

10 OPPORTUNITY RESOURCES Provides support for individuals with disabilities.

11 PROVIDENCE ST. PATRICK HOSPITAL Non-profit health-care, providing care to those in need.

12 SOUTHGATE MALL Premier shopping destination with more than 100 stores

and 10,000 brands.

13 MISSOULA MANOR Independent retirement community offering affordable and

comfortable housing.

14 MISSOULA HOUSING AUTHORITY Provides quality, affordable housing solutions for low and

middle income households.

15 CORSO APARTMENTS Resort style amenities and exceptional centrally located

location.

16 PEAK FITNESS Wellness center helping members achieve their fitness goals.

17 WILMA THEATER Historic theater offering ever changing entertainment.

18 MONTGOMERY DISTILLERY Offering hand-crafted locally sourced custom spirits.

19 TOP HAT LOUNGE Experience live performance art, comedy, music and film.

20 DOWNTOWN TONIGHT Every Thursday during the summer enjoy live music and

food vendors.

21 OPEN AID ALLIANCE Providing support for hard to reach and underserved

populations.

22 MISSOULA AGING SERVICES Providing resources for seniors and their caregivers.

23 HOMEWORD Providing safe, healthy, affordable housing using sustainable

methods.

24 MISSOULA IN MOTION Helping the Missoula community reduce traffic and improve

air quality.

25 NORTH RESERVE Restaurants and shopping await including Target, Barnes

and Noble, Best Buy, Carmike 12 and more.

26 UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA Public research university and home to several events

throughout the year.

27 COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER Providing integrated health care to Missoula and

surrounding areas.

28 WALMART Savings center offering rollback pricing along Hwy 93.

29 GOOD FOOD STORE Offering locally-produced, organic and bulk foods.

30 HIP STRIP Collection of some of the most unique shops and

restaurants in all of Missoula.

31 TREMPER'S SHOPPING CENTER Home to Montana Ace Hardware and The Book Exchange

just to name a few.

32 WESTSIDE LANES & FUN CENTER Offering fun for all ages with bowling, karaoke and kids’

arcade.

33 MCCORMICK PARK Outdoor haven with baseball fields, a skate park and kids’

fishing pond.

34 HOLIDAY VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER Centralized shopping featuring CVS Pharmacy and Jo-Ann

Fabrics.

35 SOUTH CROSSING Offering some of Missoula’s newest stores including Cabela’s

and Boot Barn.

Destinations Here's just a sample of great destinations served by Mountain Line routes. Late evening destination


THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA IS KNOWN AS “Harvard of the West” for good reason. Missoulians know its beautiful campus, top tier education, and community connections make Griz Nation an amazing place. Students, faculty, staff and visitors bring nearly 20,000 people to campus daily. With those crowds, it’s a challenge to move everyone around campus and through Missoula, a community that proudly supports a wide variety of travel options. Keeping transit efficient and affordable helps maintain a high quality of life at UM and throughout the city. The members of the student population – which are a part of what we call the Millennial generation – are the country’s first to view public transportation as one of the three most important amenities in choosing a place to live. We realize that driving can be quite costly when fuel, maintenance, insurance, and parking are tallied. So, new students especially welcome the fact that Missoula presents solid options for public transit, making it easier to live without a car. This wasn’t always so. Fifteen years ago, UM had a desperate transportation challenge. Options for people traveling to campus were limited. So many commuters drove to UM that cars were parked on the well-manicured campus lawns. Students understood the problem and organized through the Associated Student of the University of Montana. It was time to create a service

Griz RidersUM students and staff hop on board

Reach the University of Montana’s Main Hall on Mountain Line routes 1, 8 and 12. Photo by Megan Richter.


that could meet the unique needs of student transportation, and U-DASH was born. Voting to impose on themselves an annual “transportation fee,” students created ASUM Transportation to administer its own bus system during the academic year. Today, ASUM Transportation is one of a handful of student-owned and operated transit agencies in the United States. All but two employees are students, including the drivers. For 36 years the larger community of Missoula has been serviced by Mountain Line buses, which operate year-round in a 36 square mile district. People traveling to campus from distances beyond the reach of U-DASH rely on the regular and efficient service provided by Mountain Line. Both systems maintain a strong partnership in service of the travel needs to the university. Safe, efficient and readily available public transportation is a big reason many students love living in Missoula and attending the University of Montana. Students can get to class, faculty and staff can get to work, and visitors can easily move through the city, all which help Missoula maintain a healthy economy, lifestyle and environment.

Topher WilliamsASUM TRANSPORTATION BOARD

Rider Profile:NIK DUMROESEUM STUDENT, POLITICAL SCIENCEINTERESTS: SKIING, LIVE MUSIC, GRAPHIC DESIGN

" I ride Mountain Line because it's fast, it's free, and it means that I don't have to pay for parking on campus. Being dropped off right next to campus makes my morning commute worry free, and with a stop ten seconds from my front door it's pretty much a no-brainer."


Missoula MovesIn transit to a better Missoula

ASK ANY MISSOULIAN, AND YOU’LL GET A LAUNDRY LIST OF reasons they love it here – kayaking and surfing right in the center of town, a world-class university that offers quality education and brings students from all over the globe, a thriving downtown packed with dining and entertainment options, and the Mountain Line bus system that keeps residents connected to their favorite activities. No matter where you live, getting from Point A to Point B is an important part of every day. Missoula has a great community partner

Local fisherman, Nick Gazzara casts a line in the Clark Fork that runs through downtown Missoula. Photo by Taylar Robbins.


that’s dedicated to making that process better for a growing population, and with the new zero-fare system for 2015, anyone and everyone in the Missoula community can ride Mountain Line buses. Of course, easy access to transportation is about more than getting a ride to the river or the football game. Since 1976, Mountain Line has had a part in keeping Missoula healthier and more livable. The town has a well-earned reputation for being environmentally and socially conscious, and the bus system plays a role in both of those areas. Public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of gas in the U.S. and reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. That’s the same amount as if Washington, DC, New York City, Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles combined stopped using electricity. Improving air quality in Missoula benefits the whole community. In addition to reducing the impact on the environment, the bus system gives everyone the same opportunity to get to their jobs, make it to doctors appointments, and take part in the

community activities everyone here loves, all while making a dent in traffic congestion.

Mountain Line has provided curb-to-curb

transportation for people living with disabilities for 23 years and introduced a Senior Van service in 2008. More than 14,000 University of Montana students have access to free rides every year. Let’s hear it for not having to battle for a parking spot on campus. Adults aren’t the only ones that need a way to get around town. In 1999, Mountain Line started the summer Kids Ride Free program, which in 2013 provided more than 40,000 rides. Now, the zero-fare system means the entire Missoula community has even easier access to their destination through Mountain Line buses. And that gives everyone the opportunity to save some serious money. A monthly payment, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking add up over the long

term. Public and alternative transportation lets people ditch those expenses to the tune of $10,000 each year by going from two vehicles to one. It’s not just individual checking accounts that stand to gain. For every dollar invested in the public transportation, the economy sees a four dollar

The zero-fare system means the entire Missoula community has even easier access to their destination through Mountain Line buses. And that gives everyone the opportunity to save some serious money.

Sunsets in Missoula are breathtaking and fleeting so slow down and enjoy the view. Photo by Taylar Robbins.


return. And a thriving economy is something the whole community can enjoy. Choosing a different way to commute doesn’t stop at riding the bus. People who use public transportation increase their daily activity level by walking to and from stops, and that fits the Missoula lifestyle as well. Biking and running are popular activities here. The number of bike lanes has been on the rise for the last decade. Mountain Line provides the option to combine more active transportation with riding, thanks to bike racks on the front of the buses and multiple bike stations along routes. As Missoula has grown, bus routes have been designed to meet the needs of a diverse population. Mountain Line takes passengers to major medical corridors, popular shopping destinations, and residential areas spread over nearly 24 square miles of territory. Making the commute even more convenient, buses offer free 4G WiFi. Missoula has gotten national attention for its status as one of the best places to live. It’s an active, vibrant community with something for everyone. Mountain Line has been a part of that tradition for 23 years and changes with the community so that everyone can be part of what makes Missoula a great place.

Public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of gas in the U.S. and reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually.

A local biker on the Kim Williams trail takes in the view of Mount Sentinel during his ride. Photo by Nelson Kenter.

Rider Profile:PHIL STEMPINBASS PLAYER FOR REVEREND SLANKY, CHIEF SALES OFFICER FOR COLD AVENGER AND TALUS OUTDOOR AND DESIGNER OF MISSOULA LOGO.

" I ride the bus almost every day to work, to band practice and to events. I ride for convenience and to support a healthy lifestyle. Mountain Line provides a vital service to the community and I’m proud to say I ride the line."


AS AN AVID BIKE COMMUTER, I USED TO think of the bus as an enemy. While I respected its people carrying ability and appreciated its role in making Missoula a better place to live, I have also been scared by its loud approach, intimidated by its size. However, as I extend my travel distance all over town and my biking season into winter from both the fall and spring, I have learned that Mountain Line is a biker’s ally and have come to think of the bus as a reliable friend, helping me get where I need to go safely and comfortably. The change happened when I realized that the bus is not an alternative to riding my bike, but rather is a partner on those days or times when I most need one. Each bus comes equipped with a rack that can carry 3 bikes on it. So, if it is pouring (or snowing) when I get out of work, or if I get a flat on the other side of town, I can always throw my bike on the rack

and hop on the bus. Speaking of flat tires, there are now 3 different locations where Mountain Line has made available the tools, parts, and air I need to fix my own. Bus routes also reach the edges of town, so it is that much easier to bring my bike to ride trails in the Rattlesnake, visit Fort Missoula, or just get a lift to the top of the South Hills. As for sharing the roadway with those large and loud buses? I have found that bus drivers are very observant of cyclists; they are trained professionals whose job it is to help people get around safely. They know the size of their bus and they drive them safely, courteously, and predictably. And the noise? That just lets me know one of my new friends is behind me, if I happen to need a ride.

Ben Weiss BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN PROGRAM MANAGER, CITY OF MISSOULA

Tales from the Bike LaneMaking Friends with Mountain Line

Want to ride your bike more but don’t know thebest routes or the ins and outs of the rules?Visit missoulainmotion.com or call 552-6675to help get biking safely, courteously, and legally.


Watch and learnVisit Mountainline.com/videos or our YouTube channel for our full video library.

BIKE AND BUS. Professional mountain biker Sam Schultz gives the run down.

PLAN YOUR TRIP. Use our Google Powered Trip Planner for instant route instructions.

ROUTE MAP. Mountain Line route map and schedule demystified.

BUS TRACKER. How to track your bus in real time using our website and mobile app.

HOW TO RIDE. See how easy and convenient

it is to ride the line.


An exclusive sneak peekIn conjunction with the launch of a second BOLT! route and late evening service in January, Mountain Line will be unveiling eight newly designed buses for their fleet. Three brand new buses will be serving the BOLT! routes and five cutaway buses will be providing late evening service. The new designs reflect the vibrant, healthy community we live in and feature the people, places and activities we love. Mountain Line is Missoula's transit and Missoula is Mountain Line's inspiration.

WANT TO SEE MORE? Like us on Facebook for information on our unveiling event coming in December 2014 or watch for the new buses to hit the road in January.

Safe, Healthy, Affordable HousingConveniently located near bus routesEquinox • Fireweed Court • Gold Dust

Lenox Flats • Orchard Gardens • Phillips • Solstice

Housing Counseling & EducationGet Ready for HomeOwnership Class

Free Financial Fitness ClassHousing, Foreclosure & Financial Counseling

Sustainable Communities for All20 years and counting

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406.543.4770 | 500 North Higgins | STE 107 | Missoula, MT 59802Hours: M-Th 9am-5pm, Fr iday 9am-3pm | www.openaidall iance.org

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