Missoula, Montana’s Mountain Line was named the best transit system of its size in the country by the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) during its annual celebration of agency achievements.

The award was presented to Mountain Line representatives at the CTAA Expo in mid-May, with bus operator Bryan Ursery, who has worked at Mountain Line for more than two decades, accepting the award on the agency's behalf.

“This award recognizes our employees who help Missoulians get to where they need to go 361 days a year, but it also celebrates all of Missoula,” said CEO/GM Jordan Hess. “The award-winning service Mountain Line provides is only possible because of the community's support.”

The CTAA's annual awards highlight excellence in a variety of areas, including innovative community services, responsiveness to community needs and goals, collaboration with a wide range of other organizations, and more.

Continuing to Charge Ahead

Mountain Line's application highlighted the agency's long-running leadership in zero-fare service and fleet electrification, as well as more recent initiatives, including the Marshall Mountain recreation shuttle, which will return for a full season this weekend after an initial seven-week pilot program in Fall 2025.

In July, Mountain Line will launch new routes and frequency improvements as part of a cost-neutral system update, reflecting evolving ridership trends and extensive community input on service needs across Missoula.

The changes will include a new Route 10, connecting the north Franklin area to the Fort area and downtown with half-hour service six days a week, the first higher-frequency service to be offered on Saturdays.

The new Route 10 will serve the Wyoming Street corridor and the Missoula Food Bank, and offer a more direct route to downtown and system transfers to multiple low- to median-income neighborhoods. The agency’s Routes 3 and 4 will also see increased frequency in response to high ridership demand on the Northside and in East Missoula.

Future service improvements will also bring new service to neighborhoods, where new housing is rapidly increasing density and demand for transit.

CTAA is proud to award Mountain Line with the 2026 Large System of the Year Award. They deliver the essential transit services their community wants and needs. They are an exemplary example for us to showcase to the rest of our members,” shares CTAA Chief of Staff Loreal Lance. “It’s always difficult to choose winners for the Community Transportation awards. Mountain Line was chosen for its leadership in innovative, accessible public transit. They were the first in Montana to offer seven-day-a-week service and have provided zero-fare service for over a decade.”

Additional Projects in the Works

Mountain Line is also poised to begin construction on a new maintenance, operations, and administration base, supported by a competitive federal grant awarded to the agency in 2023.

The new facility is expected to meet agency needs for decades, helping Mountain Line provide a high level of service across Missoula.