FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRESTLINE, CA / May 26, 2023 — Free Mountain Transit bus service for riders in the Rim area is now being offered thanks to Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s Discretionary Fund – District Specific Priorities Program and funding from Mountain Transit’s Board of Directors, and will be offered for the next two years.
“This funding provided by my district priorities budget, will ensure that residents and visitors alike have access to free convenient transportation in our mountain communities,” Rowe said. “The two-year contract with (Mountain Transit) helps our local businesses, while also reducing traffic congestion.”
“We are excited to provide free public transportation,” Sandy Benson, Mountain Transit’s general manager, said. “The Rim is still recovering from a very tough winter. Mountain Transit appreciates Supervisor Rowe’s commitment to the mountain communities and her support of free public transit. We hope this free service will support our community, help reduce traffic on busy weekends and contribute to maintaining our clean mountain air.”
Mountain Transit Route 2, including Valley of Enchantment, Crestline, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead (Monday through Sunday), and Route 4, including Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs (Tuesday through Saturday), and both the Crestline and Lake Arrowhead Summer Trolleys will all be free to ride. Mountain Transit’s route 5, commuter service to San Bernardino, will retain its current fare structure.
Approval for the two-year fare replacement funding came Tuesday, May 23, at the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The purpose of the supervisors’ discretionary fund in Rowe’s third district area is to support (Mountain Transit) in providing free public transit to meet the social service, welfare and economic needs of the residents of Rim of the World and surrounding communities.
The funding amount approved at Tuesday’s board meeting for the two-year free ridership service in the Rim area is not to exceed $282,704.
About Mountain Transit Mountain Transit provides Fixed Route, Off-the-Mountain (OTM), and Dial-a-Ride service throughout the rural San Bernardino Mountain communities of the Big Bear Valley, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Running Springs. Mountain Transit services are managed by Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority, a rural transit agency that was formed December of 1993 under a joint powers authority between the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County.
CONTACTS:
Sandy Benson
General Manager, Mountain Transit
(909) 878-5200
Mike Harris
Media Relations
(909) 214-0477