BIG SKY EDITION
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Skyline: Link to the Peak
July 2016
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2
Arts Council of Big Sky
Big Sky, Montana knows what it means to be a mountain town. Spread from the base of Lone Peak to the Gallatin River that winds below, the town’s vistas summon outdoor enthusiasts from near and far. They come in winter for sparkling peaks ensconced in snow or in summer for lush, green hills. Some come for a visit, forever hoping to return. Others stay, choosing to call this very special place home. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have found their way around Big Sky by bus, using what is now known as Skyline. Initially the SnowExpress more than 20 years ago, the fare-free service provides mountain access for those who come to play or stay in Big Sky. “For the longest time, getting to and around the community of Big Sky required a car,” says Skyline Coordinator David Kack. “The bus changed all that.” In 1991, the Big Sky Transportation District and its SnowExpress were created to serve the growing and thriving mountain community. The SnowExpress operated two to four routes within Big Sky during peak season – mid-December through mid-April. It was Big Sky’s first public service, according to Kack. Each year, the SnowExpress’ ridership grew. In the winter of 2005-06, SnowExpress gave nearly 50,000 rides. That season would be the last for SnowExpress, but certainly not for the transportation district or the bus service.
In December 2006, the service expanded, with Skyline buses maintaining service within the town and a new Link Express route connecting Big Sky with nearby Bozeman, a Montana-sized city some 40 miles away. In that first winter, Skyline provided 93,337 rides in Big Sky, and 15,284 rides between Big Sky and Bozeman. Skyline provides a needed transportation link to the peak, allowing riders to relax and enjoy the view on their journey. There is no need for driving the challenging winter roads, adding to the congestion or finding parking.
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Historic Crail Ranch
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Hunting & Fishing
Since its inception in 2006, Skyline has provided over 1.1 million rides within Big Sky and between Bozeman and Big Sky. If you count the years the bus provided rides as the SnowExpress, the number is much higher. Today, the Big Sky Transportation District is governed by a board of directors chosen by the commissions of both Gallatin and Madison counties – the Big Sky area straddles the border of the two. The district operates on roughly $1.2 million each year, with just over half of the budget provided by Federal Transit Administration funds that are managed by the Montana Department of Transportation. Other contributing groups include the Big Sky Resort Tax Board, Big Sky Resort, Madison (Continued on page 2)
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