By Mike Harris – Special to The Alpine Mountaineer

Free Mountain Transit bus service for riders in the Rim area will begin on Friday, May 26, and be offered for the next two years.

Funding for the fares for the free Rim bus service comes from 3ird District Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s Discretionary Fund – District Specific Priorities Program. The balance of the funding comes from Mountain Transit’s operating budget and was unanimously approved at Mountain Transit’s May board of directors meeting.

Mountain Transit Route 2 – including Valley of Enchantment, Crestline, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead (Monday through Sunday) – and Route 4, including Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs (Tuesday through Saturday), and both the Crestline and Lake Arrowhead summer trolleys will all be free thanks to Supervisor Dawn Rowe. Mountain Transit’s Route 5, commuter service to San Bernardino, will retain its current fare structure.

Approval for the two-year fare replacement funding came Tuesday, May 23, at the board of supervisors meeting.

(NOTE: Rowe’s quote goes here… Should receive it by Monday morning)

 The purpose of the supervisors discretionary fund in Rowe’s third district area is to “support (Mountain Transit) in providing free public transit to meet the social service, welfare and economic needs of the residents of Rim of the World and surrounding communities.”

The funding amount approved at Tuesday’s board meeting for the two-year free ridership service in the Rim area is not to exceed $282,704.

“We are excited to provide free public transportation,” Sandy Benson, Mountain Transit’s general manager, said. “The Rim is still recovering from a very tough winter. Mountain Transit appreciates Supervisor Rowe’s commitment to the mountain communities and her support of free public transit.

“We hope this free service will support our community, help reduce traffic on busy weekends and contribute to maintaining our clean mountain air,” Benson added.