A new grant-funded microtransit pilot program is coming to Mountain Line riders to offer on-demand transportation between Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and any destination in the Flagstaff city limits for $2 a ride.
Mountain Line GO! Airport begins service on March 1 using Mountain Line’s smaller paratransit vans to give a flexible transportation option that does not run on a regular schedule or route. Riders download the Mountain Line GO! app, request a ride at the desired time and if a vehicle is available, the trip will be booked. All trips must either start or end at the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and the origin or destination must be within the Flagstaff city limits.
A few tips for using Mountain Line GO! Airport:
- Trips can be booked up to 14 days in advance and it is recommended that riders book as early as possible to guarantee availability.
- Mountain Line GO! is a shared ride service, so if other people are heading in the same direction at the same time, there could be multiple people on a vehicle, and vehicles may make stops along the way. For those traveling to the airport, it is important to use the “arrive by” feature when booking to ensure a timely arrival. This is found under “schedule” in the lower left corner of the app.
- Service hours are 4:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily. Trips between 4:30-6:30 a.m. must be booked by 5:00 p.m. the day prior.
- The $2/person fare can be paid through the app or with exact change when boarding.
- Per federal mandate, face coverings are required on all public transit vehicles and at all facilities.
“Flagstaff is fortunate to have both a robust transit system and a thriving airport, and this pilot program brings a low-cost and efficient connection between the two entities,” said Flagstaff City Councilmember and NAIPTA Board Chair Adam Shimoni. “Reducing our reliance on single passenger vehicles to access major destinations like the airport is a critical part of the Climate Action Plan and I look forward to using the data gathered during the pilot to craft a long-term solution.”
Riders without smartphone access can book via phone by calling 928-679-8989 (8:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m., M-F).
Mountain Line GO! Airport is fully grant-funded, which allows the fare to be set at $2/ride. The pilot program runs through June 30, 2022, and the data will be used to determine if and how microtransit solutions can be used in the future.
