| Mountain Transit | |
| Parent: | Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority |
| Headquarters: | Big Bear |
| Service Area: | Big Bear Valley, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Valley of Enchanment to San Bernardino |
| Service Type: | Bus service, Dial a Ride |
| Routes: | 9 |
| Hubs: | 2[1] |
| Fleet: | 26 buses[2] |
| Annual Ridership: | 558,847 passengers [3] |
| Ceo: | Kathy Hawksford |
Mountain Transit (legally the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority) is the third largest regional transit agency in San Bernardino County, California. Mountain Transit serves the San Bernardino Mountain communities of Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, and Big Bear Lake, providing local service for more than 163,000 passengers each year.[4]
Mountain Transit also offers Off the Mountain (OTM) service that enables the residents of the mountain communities to connect with major stops in San Bernardino, which include Metrolink, Omnitrans, Greyhound, St. Bernadine's Hospital, and other stops along the way. This service runs Monday through Sunday from Big Bear, and Monday through Saturday from the RIM area. The Off the Mountain service allows mountain residents to commute to their jobs in the San Bernardino valley with three trips from Big Bear and four trips from Crestline/Lake Arrowhead weekdays. Weekend service on Mountain Transit's Big Bear OTM provides 2 round trips on Saturday and Sunday, and two round trips on Saturday from the RIM OTM (Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Valley of Enchantment).[5]
Mountain Transit serves an area of 269 Square miles[6]
| Route | Terminals | Via | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Line | Big Bear Lake Knickerbocker Rd & Pedder Rd | Big Bear CityState Ln & Central Ln | Big Bear Bl |
| |
| Blue Line | Big Bear LakeKnickerbocker Rd & Pedder Rd | Big Bear Lake Willow Landing Rd & Blue Jay Rd | Lakeview Dr | ||
| Gold Line | Big Bear Lake Pine Knot Av & Maryland Rd | Big Bear Lake Paradise Wy & Mountain View Bl | Big Bear Bl | ||
| 2 | Crestline Byron Rd & Vista Ln | Lake Arrowhead Mountain Community Hospital | Hwy 138, Hwy 173 | ||
| 4 | Running Springs Arrowbear Lake | Lake ArrowheadMountain Community Hospital | Hilltop Bl, Hwy 173 |
| |
| 5 | Big Bear Lake Fox Farm Rd & Sandalwood Dr | San Bernardino San Bernardino Transit Center | Big Bear Bl, City Creek Rd | ||
| 6 | Lake Arrowhead Lake Arrowhead Village | San BernardinoSan Bernardino Transit Center | Lakes Edge Rd, Waterman av |
| |
| 8 Crestline Summer Trolley | Lake Arrowhead SkyPark at Santa's Village | Crestline Lake Dr & Springy Path | Hwy 18. Lake Gregory Dr | ||
| 10Lake Arrowhead Summer Trolley | Lake Arrowhead SkyPark at Santa's Village | Twin Peaks Grandview Rd & Hwy 189 | Hwy 18 | ||
Mountain Transit offers both standard daily fares and discounted multi-trip and multi-day passes. Seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans receive a discounted fare of 50% off. The fares also vary depending if the trip is local or off the mountain. If the fares are for Off the Mountain service, the extra fees apply.[7]
In 2021, local bus routes in the Big Bear valley were made free as a way to reduce congestion within Big Bear[8] [9] [10]
In 2023, bus routes in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead were made free as a way to reduce congestion[11]
Mountain Transit is administered by a board of directors made up five members: two from Big Bear Lake, one member at large, and two Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino. It is required under the JPA that the board of directors meet at least one time each quarter of each fiscal year. Board meetings are held the third Monday of every month (except January* and February*) at 1:00 p.m. with location alternating between Big Bear Lake and Crestline. All meetings are held in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Board meetings are presided over by the board-appointed chair. The board of directors is responsible for adopting the budget, appointing the CEO/General Manager, appointing a technical committee, establishing policy, and adopting rules and regulations for the conduct of business.[12]