What year was your department established?
People Mover began operations in July 1974 as the City of Anchorage transferred their "Anchorage City Transit" public transportation responsibilities to the Anchorage Borough. Today, the Public Transportation Department continues to operate People Mover bus service along with AnchorRIDES Paratransit and RideShare commute options.
What are some defining moments that shaped your department?
1974 - People Mover begins operations.
1978 - Bus Accommodations Center opens, known today as the John S. Parks Transit Center.
1981 - People Mover's first 40 buses put into services.
1999 - Entire People Mover fleet is fully accessible.
2008 - Ridership record for People Mover set with 4,220,667 trips.
2009 - BusTracker launched and real-time signs installed at transfer centers.
2017 - People Mover system redesign introduces frequent routes, longer hours, and better services, alongside the People Mover mTicket app for mobile ticketing.
2019 - Transit on Move project results in formal transit plan informed by public participation and feedback.
2023 - People Mover mStop app for trip planning and bus tracking debuts, new tech upgrades installed on buses and at select stops.
2025 - Due to the Anchorage Assembly approving AO 2025-69, Youth 18 and under ride People Mover and AnchorRides FREE all year-round effective July.
Name a few key staff or community members that have shaped your department and share one or more stories that reflect their impact.
Thanks to the tireless (no pun intended) commitment and dedication of our staff, riders, supporters, and advocates, of which there are too many to mention the Public Transportation Department continues to provide safe, reliable transportation options that offer economic, social, and environmental benefits, while also improving and evolving to maintain a transit system that keeps our community connected.
Where
can people learn more about your department’s history?
For a deep dive on the Public Transportation Departments's history, visit the following page we created for our 49th Anniversary.
People Mover 49 Years in the 49th State
What is one interesting fact about your department's history that people may not know?
In 1980, Double Decker buses operated in downtown Anchorage, allowing workers to park and ride to most downtown businesses and employment centers. In 2018, People Mover conducted a 6 month electric bus test in partnership with Solid Waste Services.
Published by the Assembly Legislative Services Office
We believe that local government plays a critical role in improving our community and that it works best when residents are engaged. We provide research, communications, and project management on behalf of the Anchorage Assembly to engage our community in local government. Learn more.
