Streamline Bus

During our redesign in 2020, we wanted to make sure when making the switch to bidirectional routes, we continued serving the sub. To accomplish this we created the Blueline and the Goldline that are interlined routes that begin and end service at the sub. When one Blueline route ends, it continues on as the Goldline. This provides MSU students with fast and convenient access from campus to many of our systems most popular destinations.

For week 11 of 20 Years in 20 Weeks, we’re highlighting the changes we launched in 2021 that came as a result of our 2020 transit development plan, referred to as “Redesign Streamline”. A Transit Development Plan (TDP) is a plan done every 3-5 years and generally looks at the next 10 years. Sometimes these plans involve small tweaks to service, and, like we saw in 2020, sometimes these plans involve complete overhauls.

Prior to our TDP in 2020, Streamline has circular routes since its beginning in 2006. Circular routes do one thing really well, and one thing very poorly. With a 60-minute circular route, you can cover quite a bit of distance but roundtrips end up taking an hour. For example, if you lived a 10-minute bus ride from the library, on one of our old 60-minute circular routes your return trip would have taken 50 minutes.

This issue, paired with the rapid growth Bozeman had already been seeing for years prior to 2020 led to the new routes that offer bidirectional service, while still maintaining most of the coverage that was offered prior to the redesign. The coverage that was removed was driven by data: surveys, ridership data, and public comment periods ensured we were able to identify the least utilized areas of our service.

The result? Bidirectional service covering Bozeman’s most visited destinations. Going back the library example, with bidirectional service, if you live 10 minutes from the library, your ride home will also be 10 minutes. Changes like this dramatically increase ridership experience and help make transit a more appealing mode of transportation!

Meet Rick! As a long time driver of Streamline, Rick loves getting involved in any way he can. Whether it's a parade, a travel training, bus decorating, you name it... he's there!! We can't thank Rick enough for the excitement he shares with others. Pictured here, he is showing how a pre-trip inspection works to a group of students at MSU.

The intersection at 27th & Cattail will be closed for 60 days beginning Monday, June 15th.
The Following stops will not be serviced until further notice:

Stop 20: Cattail at City Brew (Northbound only)
Stop 21: 27th & Cattail

The Following stop has been moved temporarily:

Stop 22: Social Security (stop moved in front of Social Security)

We're highlighting our drivers this week and can't leave out Galavan! Galavan is our paratransit service offering door to door service for folks unable to ride Streamline. Last year we caught up with Larry, one of our long-time drivers for a quick Q&A.

What is your role?

I’ve been a driver for Galavan since I started and that was about 2010! I started driving part time 4 hours a day and then eventually switched to full time because I enjoyed it so much.”

What brought you to Montana or did you grow up here?

“I grew up right here in the bear canyon area. My dad was farm manager at Mount Ellis Academy when I was a kid.”

How did you learn about HRDC and what originally drew you in?

“I knew another long-term driver that encouraged me to apply and I wish I came quicker!”

What is your favorite part of the job?

“I enjoy the people. The passengers, getting to know them, and seeing them regularly. I drove Streamline for a short time when it first started but enjoy Galavan more because you get to see the same people so often.”

What does Service mean to you

“Customer service is what I want to do the most of. To me it’s helping people fasten their seat belts, its helping with their groceries, going to look for people. I enjoy the service part of this job.”

What have you learned since starting?

“I’ve learned that there are a lot of people involved in helping other people in Bozeman. I had past involvement with family promise and this job continues that for me. The people I’ve gotten to know I’d have never met otherwise and I’ve learned so much about everyone trying to help others in our community.”

Welcome to week 10 of 20 years in 20 weeks! This week is driver appreciation week and we're highlighting some of our drivers who truly make it all happen!

Meet Lelah, one of our Streamline drivers! Lelah has been driving here for quite a few years now and loves the people she gets to interact with on a daily basis. Lelah has driven all of the routes and always is up for something new when we need her!

Meet Andrew!

He has been riding Galavan for over 11 years now! As the administrative assistant at Eagle Mount, Andrew found Galavan to be reliable transportation to and from work and the rest is history! Thanks for riding Andrew!

How can we celebrate 20 years without re-sharing one of our biggest fans!?

Meet Violet, a Streamline super-fan. Violet loves riding the bus with her friends, making new friends on the bus, and that Streamline is zero-fare!

Check out our quick Q&A with her!

Q: What does it mean to you to have Streamline in our community?
A: To me, I feel like Streamline is at the center of our community. Whenever I ride the bus I feel surrounded by my community, I have met and talked to so many new people while waiting at the bus stop. I also feel that it is extremely cool that we have free buses in a smaller city. I think that not a lot of people really realize how special that is that we have zero-fare buses in the community.

Q: That’s awesome! What’s your favorite part about Streamline's service?
A: Well my favorite line is the Blueline but I’d have to say my favorite part is that the bus is free!

Q: I was just about to ask your favorite line. What makes the Blueline your favorite?
A: It’s the line closest to my house and it takes me to Winco which is my fav place to take the bus to!

Q: Our slogan is "Benefits us all". What does that mean to you?
A: To me that means that Streamline is here to serve and support all of our community! I think that Streamline is a service and a tool for our whole community to use regardless of your income or if you have a car.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about Streamline?
A: Just that I love Streamline very much!

Meet Amy!

Amy rides Streamline to get to and from shopping locations in Bozeman. She loves that it is always zero-fare, and that it allows her to get around easily without having a car. Thanks for riding Amy! We always love to hear how Streamline meets the needs of individuals in our community!

For this week of 20 years in 20 weeks, we're highlighting our riders!! None of this exists without you all and we're humbled and grateful to have such strong community support.

Meet Rodrique!

We’re honored to serve Montana State’s biggest sports fan! As a Bozeman native and lifelong Bobcats fan, Rodrique loves that he can ride the bus to and from Cat games as well as to his job at MSU four days a week! Thanks for riding Rodrique! We’re always happy to get you to the game!