Mission and History
About Mountain Rides
Mountain Rides is the full-service public transportation provider for Blaine County Idaho, which includes the communities of Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue, and Carey. Mountain Rides is the one-stop shop for ways to get around without driving solo including:
- Free Town bus
- 3 year round routes and 3 peak season routes for Ketchum and Sun Valley
- Deviated fixed route service for Hailey
- Commuter bus
- Valley Route connecting Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley
- Twin Falls route connecting Twin Falls, Shoshone and Blaine County area
- Commuter vanpool
- Van routes for communities of Twin Falls, Shoshone, Gooding, Jerome, Carey, and Fairfield
- Ridematch services
- Idaho Rideshare for online carpool matches
- Safe Routes to School
- Biking and Walking program for the elementary and middle schools
- Special Needs Demand Response
- For those that qualify under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Transportation Planning and Education
- Resource for helping the community plan, implement and utilize balanced transportation options
Mountain Rides was formed in 2007 as the evolution of what had been three separate organizations into one provider of all transportation options. Before 2007, KART, Peak Bus, and Wood River Rideshare were all involved with different aspects of transportation solutions in Blaine County. Mountain Rides was created in order to combine these organizations into a one-stop shop for all types of transportation solutions.
Mountain Rides operates as a public agency under a Joint Powers Agreement partnership that includes the cities of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and Blaine County. Mountain Rides funding comes from local option sales tax and general funds from its local funding partners, as well as from the Federal Transit Administration and revenue from fares.
Vision, Mission and Goals
The stated vision of Mountain Rides is:
To be the sustainable transportation backbone of Blaine County and adjacent communities in order to improve the livability and attractiveness of the region
The mission of Mountain Rides is:
Manage transportation demand by providing access and mobility to those who live, work, or visit Blaine County with service alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle that are environmentally sustainable, energy efficient, attractive, safe, convenient, reliable, and cost-effective.
The goals of Mountain Rides are:
- Provide and advocate for transportation solutions in Blaine County that reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips.
- Maintain and develop sources of short and long term, sustainable funding support.
- Provide transportation solutions that are cost effective.
- Promote knowledge and increase awareness of transportation issues and the impact of transportation choices.
- Promote regional cooperation on transportation issues in order to help fulfill all of Mountain Rides’ other goals.
To meet our Board of Directors, click here.
To meet our Staff, click here.