Transit on the Move
Transit on the Move - 2025 is currently in Phase 4.
After a summer full of public events connecting with people in communities all across Anchorage, Chugiak and Eagle River, this phase of the plan update is expected to take a couple months. The feedback, comments, suggestions, and ideas we heard from the community this summer will be summarized, consolidated and presented as projects.
Later this winter we will ask you, the public, to prioritize the projects (a selection of top 3). This will give the department the direction we have been seeking - based off of community input - regarding the next set or services/improvements/expansions to work toward in the coming years. If we connected with you this summer at one of the 75 events we attended, thank you for taking part in this process with us!
What is it?
Transit on the Move is the transit plan for the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA). This plan examines how the current transit system is operating and helps determine what's next; where should we add or modify service and how we can make the system better.
The plan looks at shared opportunities of all three services:
Each service operates independently while working together to provide valuable public transportation options within the Municipality.
How will it affect me?
Your voice will guide changes to the plan. Throughout the 2025 spring/summer the Public Transportation Department (PTD) will gather input from the Anchorage community about its needs and desires for public transportation.
Transit on the Move is updated every three to five years. The latest version was finalized in 2020.
*Click image to open PDF.
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The Plan Moving Forward
TOTM - 2025 will prioritize a new list of projects for the department to work on for the next set of years. This new list of projects will be a combination of the remaining 2020 goals, along with new ones from community feedback received throughout this summer's public input process.
Click project names in blue text to open associated PDFs.
Cross Town Route
- Realign service in North Mountain View, along Boniface Parkway, ANMC, UMED, 36th Ave., Loussac Library, ANHC, and the Airport. (This crosstown route is a modified version of "Project B.1" in TOTM 2020.)
Fairview Realignment Options
- Connecting Fairview (Route 11) with either Alaska Regional, UMED/ANMC, and/or St. Elias & ANHC.
- Connecting South Anchorage to the Muldoon Transit Hub via South C Street, Independence Park, Elmore Road, and Baxter Road.
Realignment of Route 92
- Extend route to Birchwood/Chugiak Park & Rides.
- Two options providing better connection to the Eagle River community and Route 92.
Eagle River Route
- A modified version of "Project R" in the TOTM 2020 plan, this option would provide service to the town of Eagle River.
West Anchorage Realignments
- Route 40 returns to just a Loop Route @ 15 minutes frequency on Spenard.
- Route 65 to cover Wisconsin & NL/Benson from Route 85.
- Route 85 could add service to South C St. & E 100th Ave.
Northeast Realignments- Route 31 to envelop Route 11 enroute to Downtown from Muldoon & Debarr (including Alaska Regional).
- Route 31 to connect Alaska Regional Hospital to the Muldoon Transit Hub.
Northeast Realignments- Route 30 to extend to the VA Clinic (shortening Route 25 and providing more service to North Muldoon and VA Clinic/Tikahtnu Commons).
Microtransit Zones
- Eagle River
- South Anchorage
- Connects downtown and JBER via the Government Hill Gate. Options also include adding service to key locations on base.
- Adds a circulator route in Downtown on 6th Avenue, Cordova St., 3rd Avenue and L St.
Bus Rapid Transit
- Route options to include connecting ANMC/UMED with Downtown via Tudor, 36th or N Lights and the new Gambell/Ingra Corridor.
Enhanced Rider Communications
- Implementation of the Transit App launch.
Increase Span
Increase Frequency
- All routes would be at a minimum of 30-minute frequency, 7 days a week.
Restore Holiday Service
- Adding service back on 7 holidays (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Seward's Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Native American Heritage Day).
AnchorRIDES Projects
- Implement new mapping software for enhanced planning/scheduling.
- Implement a Mobile Payment App.
- Research and implement new operating software for better planning/scheduling and on-time performance evaluations.
- This will allow for same day scheduling and potential to incorporate a mobile app feature.
- Decrease wait time.
- Improve on-time performance.
- Decrease travel time.
RideShare Projects
- Increase marketing efforts
- Increase subsidy to riders to increase total vanpools
- Implement "Commute with Enterprise" - FLEX Vanpool Program. Allowing for part time commuters to still participate in the services.
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The Plan in Action
Since 2020, Transit on the Move has led to the completion of several projects as requested by the community.
Here's what we've accomplished:
Route 85
- Implemented September 2021
- Restored service along Old Seward Highway, to Loussac Library, and West Anchorage.
Transit Security
- Implemented December 2022
- Transit Security Officers began patrolling bus stops, transit centers/hubs, and boarded buses as necessary.
Realignment of Route 21
- Implemented January 2024
- Changing Northeast neighborhood routes now allows a one-seat ride from North Mountain View all the way to Muldoon & Debarr.
Realignment of Route 92
- Implemented January 2024
- Reconfiguring Route 92 to serve the VA Clinic and the VFW Road Parking Lot has increased the usefulness and functionality of Route 92 and its riders.
Create a Business Development Position
- Implemented June 2024
- This position will continue to develop and grow the UPass program, along with the community engagement and outreach to build relationships with business partners, job centers and the public to encourage ridership growth for the system.
Fare Analysis Study
- Will be completed Summer - 2025
- This study will give a comprehensive view of PTD's current fare structure, what it takes to collect fares, who we are collecting fares from, and what can be different in the future within the fare structure. The study compares what PTD does with similar cities outside regarding what types of fares are offered, what types of reduced rates are offered and to whom those programs are offered to. Recommendations from the study will be formally announced to the department for consideration this summer.
Enhanced Rider Communications
- Implemented in 2023
- New People Mover mStop app released providing riders with access to new and improved trip planning, bus tracking and service notifications tools. The People Mover website also received an update to accompany the app and improve the user experience.
- Electronic signs installed in all buses and at select stops to improve rider experience, featuring real-time bus arrival information and messaging.
Bus Stop Amenity Plan
- Completed 2024
- The approved plan is being implemented over the next few construction seasons to include installing new shelters, benches, trash cans and lights. There is a new criterion with an environmental justice aspect to scoring and grading each bus stop based off of ridership and what bus stop qualifies for what amenity.
RideShare- Vanpool Rider Subsidy Increase
- Rider subsidy increased in 2021, lessening financial burden on vanpool riders and helping to increase total number of active vanpools.