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.[5]
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).[6]
Mountain Transit serves an area of 269 Square miles.[7]
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.[8]
In 2021, local bus routes in the Big Bear valley were made free as a way to reduce congestion within Big Bear[9][10][11]
In 2023, bus routes in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead were made free as a way to reduce congestion[12]
Governance
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.[13]
