Anchorage Launches New Bus Route to Loussac Library

​Anchorage, AK - The Municipality of Anchorage is excited to announce a new People Mover bus route to the Loussac Library. Route 85 starts on Monday. It will connect downtown, West Anchorage, the Dimond Center and the library.

"I am pleased that Anchorage residents will get a new bus route that goes directly to Loussac Library," said Mayor Dave Bronson. "That's the efficient use of services that benefits our great city."

​On weekdays, service will start at 6 a.m. and run until midnight. On weekends, the hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In celebration of the new route, People Mover and the Loussac Library invite the community to a bus parade and Virtual Storytimes on Saturday, Sept. 18. 

In addition, riders can travel for free on Route 85 during its first week (9/20 - 9/26).

"We're excited to finally offer this route to the Loussac Library, which has been an incredible partner," said Jamie Acton, Public Transportation Department Director. "We invite the community, who has waited so long for this route to be implemented, to try it for free!"

The new route stems from People Mover's major system redesign in 2017. It landed as the top priority during the department's year-long planning effort, called Transit on the Move.

"During the planning process we heard from the community about the importance of direct bus access to the Lou​ssac Library," said Bart Rudolph, Public Transportation Department Planning Manager. "We hope this route fills a gap in Anchorage and encourages more people to use the bus system."

Here's the line-up of activities for Saturday, Sept. 18:

​10:30 a.m.: People Mover fans take the inaugural rides on Route 85 before service begins to the public. The four buses depart from the Downtown Transit Center.

11 a.m.: Library offers Virtual Storytime live from the bus while driving the new route.

12:30 p.m.: Elected officials, Public Transit Advisory Board members and other stakeholders ride part of the route from the Loussac Library to the Dimond Transit Center.

12:30 p.m.: Library offers Virtual Storytime live from the bus while driving the new route.

12:50 p.m.: Library gives demonstration of the Dimond Transit Express Library.