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.
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 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 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 two trips from Big Bear and four trips from Crestline/Lake Arrowhead weekdays.
Mountain Transit serves an area of 269 square miles.
Route overview Fixed route RouteTerminalsViaNotesRed LineBig Bear LakeKnickerbocker Rd & Pedder RdBig Bear CityState Ln & Central LnBig Bear Bl Serves Big Bear Mountain ResortBlue LineBig Bear LakeKnickerbocker Rd & Pedder RdBig Bear LakeWillow Landing Rd & Blue Jay RdLakeview Dr Serves Alpine Side at Magic MountainGold LineBig Bear LakePine Knot Av & Maryland RdBig Bear LakeParadise Wy & Mountain View BlBig Bear Bl2CrestlineByron Rd & Vista LnLake ArrowheadMountain Community HospitalHwy 138, Hwy 1734Running SpringsArrowbear LakeLake Arrowhead Mountain Community HospitalHilltop Bl, Hwy 173 Serves SkyPark at Santa's Village5Big Bear LakeFox Farm Rd & Sandalwood DrSan BernardinoSan Bernardino Transit CenterBig Bear Bl, City Creek Rd Serves Snow Valley Mountain Resort and San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot6Lake ArrowheadLake Arrowhead VillageSan BernardinoSan Bernardino Transit CenterLakes Edge Rd, Waterman Av Serves San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot8Crestline Summer TrolleyLake ArrowheadSkyPark at Santa's VillageCrestlineLake Dr & Springy PathHwy 18, Lake Gregory Dr10Lake Arrowhead Summer TrolleyLake ArrowheadSkyPark at Santa's VillageTwin PeaksGrandview Rd & Hwy 189Hwy 18
Fares 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.
In 2021, local bus routes in the Big Bear valley were made free as a way to reduce congestion within Big Bear
In 2023, bus routes in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead were made free as a way to reduce congestion.
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.
References
External links Mountain Transit Website