MORGANTOWN — Mountain Line is providing reduced service due to a shortage of drivers. The service adjustments are being posted daily on the agency’s Twitter feed, which can be found by following @MountainLine. For those who do not use Twitter, the posts are reflected on the website at busride.org.
The goal is to maintain service to all existing service areas. This may mean a reduction in frequency or elimination of a route where there are alternate routes available. Those who need help planning trips are encouraged to contact Mountain Line at 304-291-RIDE (7433).
Mountain Line is 25% short on drivers and has openings for at least 12 drivers. The driver shortage has been a national issue, and transit agencies across the nation are dealing with the same problem.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety rules limit each driver to no more than 10 driving hours in a 24 hour period. All of the current drivers are maxed out on their daily driving, and those who can are working five and six days per week instead of their normal four-day work week.
Mountain Line has implemented a high level of recruitment. The agency has on order six smaller accessible vehicles to allow the hiring of drivers who do not have a Commercial Driver’s License. These vehicles will be used on routes which have lower ridership and will allow the agency to provide service while assisting the drivers to obtain their CDLs.
All Mountain Line schedules and maps are available at www.busride.org. For more information about Mountain Line Transit Authority, call 304-291-RIDE (7433) or visit their website.
Additionally, those who would like to apply for a position at Mountain Line, CDL and non-CDL driver positions are available. Find more information on available positions, visit busride.org/employment.
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