The Missoula City Transportation Bureau is the 40th US agency that announced the launch of a free public transport project. The project will last for at least three years.
Starting from January 5 next year, Missoula will start a free bus transportation project with nearly 40 other cities in the United States. The initiative is a response to a community partner agency initiative that implements a three-year free transportation pilot project for the Mountain bus line.
Community partner institutions include the University of Montana, the Missoula Aged Services Center, and the Missouri City Center Association, which will fund the project.
The director of the Missoula City Transport Bureau said that in areas where free public transport projects are implemented, the number of passengers will increase significantly. The project is expected to increase the number of passengers by 45% and effectively reduce operating costs.
In addition to the project, the Mountain Line will delay the operation of its main four routes until 22:00, and will also provide bus door-to-door services for the elderly and the disabled.