Local routes within Big Sky will remain fare-free
By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
On September 27, Skyline Bus entered a long-awaited era of increased fares for its “Link” route between Big Sky and Bozeman, transporting passengers along stops between Bozeman’s Walmart and the base of Big Sky Resort.
In a May meeting, the Big Sky Transportation District voted to increase Skyline’s bus pass fares for the first time since 2016, and that measure went into effect in September 2024. Passengers will see the same $5 cash fare for a one-way ride, but the change affects multi-ride punch passes. The 10-ride pass will cost $40, the 20-ride pass $70 and the 40-ride pass $130, reflecting increases of $15, $20 and $30, respectively. Skyline’s local routes within Big Sky remain fare-free.
Time and inflation resulted in the decision to raise costs, according to Big Sky Transportation District Executive Director Darren Brugmann. “There was no review of fare structure since back in 2016,” Brugmann told EBS..
Riders looking for one-time lifts through Gallatin Canyon will pay the same cash fare for now. Brugmann cited difficulties in choosing an amount that could be paid in one paper bill—a jump from $5 to $10 per ride would be significant, and amounts in between could cause issues for drivers needing to provide change.
“We’ll never have drivers give change,” Brugmann said. “Exact fares are required by passengers as it would be nearly impossible for drivers to carry enough cash for any number of exchanges required.”
Brugmann said the district’s goal is to keep buses moving and on time. “Taking time to deal with cash exchange between driver and passenger would be time consuming and prohibitive in keeping buses moving.”
Fares support operational costs, according to Brugmann. Skyline Bus will collect a projected $160,000 in fares in fiscal year 2025, which began in July. Resort employers make up the bulk of the sum at an expected $140,000, and the general public adds $20,000.
Big Sky’s public transit is funded through fares and predominantly local and federal funding.
“We need those local funds in order to leverage federal funds,” Brugmann said.
The Big Sky Resort Area District, which collects local resort tax and distributes revenues to Big Sky’s government service districts and nonprofits, supported the transportation district’s promise to get people to and from the mountain in an award of $975,000 in fiscal year 2024. In 2022 and 2023, BSRAD awarded $850,000 and $950,000, respectively.
The district’s five year strategic plan lists nine federal programs that could provide funding for Big Sky transit.
Predicting the next fare increase is impossible, Brugmann explained, and annual reviews in the spring and early summer will determine whether a further change is necessary. Bus passes can be purchased at local grocery and convenience stores in Bozeman and Big Sky, though they’ll cost a few dollars more.
