Morgantown Transit Sees 630,000 Trips in Fiscal Year 2026
The Mountain Line Transit Authority reported increased ridership among seniors and students throughout the fiscal year.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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During fiscal year 2026, the Mountain Line Transit Authority recorded over 630,000 total trips across its network. The transit system serves Morgantown using a fleet of 38 vehicles across 22 distinct routes.
Why it matters
The authority's operations are supported by a county-approved excess levy and local city contributions to maintain public access. These figures provide a snapshot of transit usage patterns for local commuters, students, and seniors.
The transit system completed 91,000 service hours during the fiscal year. Ridership data indicates a 19 percent increase in high school student use and over 40,000 trips recorded by senior riders.
The players
Mountain Line Transit Authority
This organization operates the public transportation system serving Morgantown and surrounding areas through a combination of local levies and city contributions.
The details
The authority operates 22 routes, with the 38 Blue & Gold Route accounting for over 91,000 trips and the 50 Don Knotts Route recording approximately 77,000. Future plans include a $1.4 million renovation at the Pifer Terminal featuring solar panels and the addition of seven new minivans to the fleet.
Timeline
2013: Mountain Line reached a record 1.2 million annual trips.
Fiscal Year 2026: Mountain Line recorded over 630,000 total trips.
October 20, 2026: Ridership statistics were presented to the Morgantown City Council.
2027: Planned infrastructure and fleet expansion projects are scheduled.
Political Context
The Mountain Line Transit Authority relies on a county-approved excess levy to fund its operations, which connects directly to the system's ability to maintain 22 routes. The reported ridership figures follow the funding pattern set by this specific levy, which supports the authority's ongoing infrastructure and fleet maintenance.
The expansion of the fleet and terminal renovations aim to improve service reliability for the high school students and seniors who represent a growing portion of the system's ridership. Residents can expect infrastructure upgrades throughout 2027 that support the continued operation of the city's 22 transit routes.
The takeaway
The authority's shift toward propane-fueled buses and solar energy reflects a broader attempt to modernize public transit infrastructure. Residents can look for updates on these sustainability initiatives as the fleet expansion progresses through 2027.
What happens next
The authority is scheduled to begin infrastructure and fleet expansion projects in 2027, including the $1.4 million solar and roof project at the Pifer Terminal.
Further reading
For more information on local government projects, visit the Morgantown Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAJR.
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