Beginning July 1, there will be a change in how Mountain Line riders pay their fare, and many frequent riders will actually see their fare decrease. The bus system will no longer issue transfers for continuing trips. Instead, riders will be able to pay a single round trip fare for unlimited bus rides all day. For full-fare riders, the new unlimited ride Day Pass will cost $2.00. For seniors (60+), youth (7-17) and persons with a disability, the Day Pass will cost only $1.00.
According to NAIPTA General Manager, Jeff Meilbeck, Mountain Line is making this change for two important reasons. “Printing and issuing transfers is expensive. This change will allow Mountain Line to save those costs. But, more importantly, we will be able to pass the savings on to our customers. Now our riders will never have to pay extra when they want to stop at the store on their way home from work, or run out to do errands at lunch time. And they’ll never have to worry if their two-hour transfer has expired.
Once a passenger buys their Day Pass, at the price of a single round trip, all their extra bus trips are free.” Mountain Line riders are encouraged to purchase a Day Pass from the driver when they board their first bus of the day. Then to hold on to the pass for unlimited free boarding on all Mountain Line buses throughout the day. Riders who use Mountain Line for daily travel will still find the Monthly Pass to be the best value. It sells for $26.00 for full-fare riders, $13.00 for seniors, youth and disabled persons.
This move by Mountain Line mirrors that which is occurring in transit systems throughout the country. Meilbeck notes, “Transit agencies are offering Day Passes and eliminating transfers in order to simplify their fare systems, provide a better value to their customers and save the costs and conflicts often associated with transfers. Many systems that have made this move have also seen ridership increase, as transit passengers have taken advantage of
the unlimited rides to use the bus for more of their travel needs.”
