Mountain Climber a much-needed service

Eagle Transit’s new “Mountain Climber” shuttle system is ready to roll, and it’s right on time.

As the allure of Northwest Montana continues to grow, so does the congestion at some of our landmark destinations. Anyone who visited Glacier National Park over Labor Day weekend can attest to the overflow of traffic that can put a damper on even the most beautiful landscape. Similar traffic can be found in other valley hotspots, from our downtowns and other shopping centers, to outdoor recreation destinations.

Flathead County’s Mountain Climber transit system hopes to alleviate some of this crowding via a network of new commuter routes connecting hotels, businesses and recreational areas around the county.

“Our area gets great benefits from the number of tourists we see, but there are also consequences,” Eagle Transit Manager Tom Schneider told the Inter Lake. “That much traffic can lead to infrastructure damage, road congestion and a lack of parking. It can make it hard for people to get to work or go shopping. Our plan is to help mitigate that traffic on our roads to help everyone out.”

Schneider said agreements are being discussed for the Mountain Climber to connect the valley with Glacier National Park, as well as Whitefish Mountain Resort and areas in the North Fork and the Jewel Basin.

It’s easy to envision locals and visitors alike utilizing such a service, and we especially hope the county can come to terms with Glacier Park where the overcrowding is most noticeable.

Eagle Transit is a critical public service, and the new Mountain Climber plan is a great step toward encouraging even more people to consider public transportation as an option.