Next Steps for Mountain Line and Mountain Lift

Flagstaff, Arizona

On May 20, 2008 Flagstaff voters overwhelmingly approved five transit propositions that will continue and expand fixed route bus service and specialized van service in this University Mountain Town.  All told, the five transit propositions add up to a .00295 cent sales tax or nearly 1/3rd of a cent.  Each proposition passed with a positive vote of between 67% and 78%.  Fixed route bus service is operated under name of Mountain Line and specialized van service for people with disabilities is operated under the name of Mountain Lift. 

The approvals translate into continued and expanded public transportation.  Transit riders, their employers and family members can look forward to 10 to 20 minute peak bus frequencies, service to new areas and a fleet of hybrid electric buses.  A centerpiece of the improved service will be a Bus Rapid Transit route through the center of Northern Arizona University campus connecting with Downtown Flagstaff and another high density commercial and residential area.  The new route, known as “Mountain Links” is a recent recipient of a $6.2 million Federal Transit Administration grant and is one of only 12 such projects in the nation.  The approved tax increase will go into effect on July 1, 2008 and continue through June 30, 2020.

Mountain Line has seen double digit ridership increases every year since 2001 and more capacity is needed.  Specifically, Mountain Line experienced a 34% ridership increase between April 2007 and April 2008 by increasing from 63,000 monthly trips to 85,000 monthly trips.  Mountain Line is now on track to move over 1,000,000 passengers this year in a community that has a population of only 63,000 citizens. 

“There is much work to be done now that the voters have decided the direction they want us to go”, said Jeff Meilbeck, General Manager off the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA).  NAIPTA is the local transit authority responsible for operating transit services for 3 cities, 2 counties and the State University in Northern Arizona. 

“On behalf of everyone at Mountain Line and Mountain Lift, we appreciate the confidence that as been placed in us and we look forward to working hard to bring Public Transportation to the next level in Flagstaff,” said Liz Archuleta, Chair of the NAIPTA Board of Directors.