How to Ride

If you are new to Mountain Line, there are several things that you should know before boarding the bus.

Planning your trip

There are several options for planning your trip on Mountain Line.  You may use Mountain Line’s Online Trip Planner, powered by Google Maps.

You can also refer to our maps and schedules. To plan a trip using the maps and schedules:

• Find the timepoint route and timepoint closest to your departure point.
• Determine which direction you need to go. Schedules are broken into trips heading Outbound from Downtown and Inbound to Downtown.
• Find the timepoint column on that route’s schedule.
• Determine if you need to transfer routes.
• Find the route and timepoint nearest your destination.
• Be sure and leave enough time to arrive at your stop a few minutes early.

Mountain Line also provides a website for mobile devices that has route and schedule information.

If you need further trip planning assistance, feel free to call the Mountain Line Office at (406) 721-3333. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM 5:00 PM.

Waiting for the bus

Some stops are designated by a sign, while others are not. Please wait by the marked stop and signal the driver. In areas without marked stops, signal the driver at an intersection where the bus can stop safely. It is best to wait on the far side of an intersection, boarding the bus after it has passed through the intersection.

What you need to get on the bus

• Please have exact fare change, a ticket, your pass, or your current GrizCard or EZ Pass when you board the bus. Our drivers do not carry change.
• If you are a University of Montana student, staff, or faculty member, please show the driver your current GrizCard to board. All GrizCard holders ride free.
• Pass holders must show their pass each time they board.

Transfers

If you need to transfer to another bus to get to your destination, ask the driver for a transfer. Even if you have a pass, let the driver know that you need a transfer. Transfers are only valid to complete a continuous one-way trip.

To get off the bus

• Give the driver plenty of notice that you want to exit the bus. Pull the bell cord about a block before your stop, or if you are not familiar with the area, ask the driver to call out your street.
• Please leave through the rear doors on two door buses so others may use the front door to board.
• For your safety, do not cross the street in front of the bus. Wait until the bus leaves the stop.
• Please wait until other passengers have gotten off before you board.
• Please leave the front seating for passengers who are elderly or have disabilities, or who have small children.
• In the winter, always check the front steps for snow or slush, and hold onto the hand rail.
• Hold on to the metal bars or seat backs when you walk on the bus.
• No smoking on the buses.
• Portable sound systems with headphones are allowed. Cellular phones may be used if they do not interfere with the bus’s operation.

General Information about Riding the Buses

• Please wait until other passengers have gotten off before you board.
• Please leave the front seating for passengers who are elderly or have disabilities, or who have small children.
• In the winter, always check the front steps for snow or slush, and hold onto the hand rail.
• Hold on to the metal bars or seat backs when you walk on the bus.
• No smoking on the buses.
• Portable sound systems with headphones are allowed. Cellular phones may be used if they do not interfere with the bus’s operation.