Morgantown Launches Transit Study to Optimize Routes

The Mountain Line Transit Authority is partnering with local planners to address rising costs and improve service efficiency.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Air Travel

Screen-print poster illustration featuring a stylized bus shelter and curved road segment in Morgantown, rendered in a vintage flat-color aesthetic. — The Mountain Line Transit Authority has initiated an 18-month transit study in Morgantown to optimize route efficiency and address operational budget constraints. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Mountain Line Transit Authority has launched a comprehensive transit study in partnership with the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization. The 18-month project aims to optimize routes and improve operational efficiency amid tightening budget constraints.

Why it matters

The study addresses significant challenges in managing rising costs and redundant transit runs between downtown and Westover. By analyzing current travel patterns, the authority hopes to ensure long-term sustainability for the regional transit system.

Since its 1996 formation, the Mountain Line Transit Authority has grown its annual budget from $883,000 to $8 million. The organization has provided over 20.3 million total rides over its history.

The players

Mountain Line Transit Authority

This public agency manages bus transportation services throughout the Morgantown, West Virginia area.

Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization

This organization coordinates regional transportation planning and infrastructure development for the Morgantown area.

Kimley-Horn

This consulting firm provides professional engineering and planning services for various infrastructure projects.

The details

Consulting firm Kimley-Horn will lead the study, utilizing cell data to evaluate travel behavior and current route redundancies. The assessment will also address the lack of adequate garage storage space at the Pifer Terminal facility in Westover.

1996: Mountain Line Transit Authority began operations.
2018: The agency vacated its former Garrett Street depot.
October 26, 2026: The transit study was formally announced.
Next 18 months: The estimated duration for the completion of the transit study.

Travel Outlook

This study is part of a broader industry shift as agencies look to adapt to the post-COVID-19 pandemic transit usage shifts. It marks a departure from historic growth models toward a focus on long-term efficiency and cost containment.

Commuters should monitor for potential route changes or service adjustments once the 18-month study concludes. Residents can expect the agency to evaluate efficiency between downtown Morgantown and Westover throughout the assessment period.

The takeaway

Maintaining public transit efficiency requires periodic data-driven reevaluations of infrastructure and demand. Residents can benefit by staying informed on transit planning opportunities to provide feedback on their commuting needs.