Mountain Line Proposes Transit Enhancements
The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) is proposing Mountain Line service changes to take effect in August, several of which would create more direct and convenient service to many of Flagstaff’s charter schools and increase crosstown transit frequency.
The proposed service changes would add frequency to Route 2, which offers crosstown service from downtown to the Flagstaff Mall, going by Flagstaff Medical Center, Cedar Hill, Coconino High School, Lockett Rd., and the NAIPTA headquarters. Peak weekday frequency would have a bus running every 20 minutes, and peak weekend frequency would have a bus running every 30 minutes.
Route 2 will also feature morning and afternoon scheduled inbound and outbound route deviations from Cedar Ave. onto Gemini Rd. to a new stop in front of Basis School. Whether students are coming from the east or west side of town, there will be two opportunities in the morning and afternoon to take advantage of the route deviation.
Similarly, Route 3 will deviate onto Fourth St. (instead of Foxglenn St.) to a stop near Northland Preparatory Academy at Sparrow St. during scheduled times in the morning and afternoon.
Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy (FALA) students have long been served by a Route 5 bus stop in front of the school, but the popularity of the service often leads to overcrowded buses. In the proposed changes, Mountain Line would add supplemental morning and afternoon service to Route 5 in order to better serve students and alleviate the crush loads.
“Increased crosstown frequency is an important step in making transit a more viable alternative to the personal vehicle,” said NAIPTA Interim General Manager Erika Mazza. “Mountain Line is also proud to be part of the charter school transportation solution by opening up access to these schools, and introducing Flagstaff youth to the benefits of transit ridership.”
Additional proposed changes include revised start and end times, and locations, on several routes to better serve riders and improve overall operational efficiency.