Streamline recognized for Connecting Communities Award

In November 2021, Streamline Bus Service was recognized as one of six rural transit agencies to receive the Connecting Rural Communities Award by the Federal Transit Administration Service, organized by the Human Resource Development Council’s (HRDC). The service runs four consistent in-town routes and a commuter route to Belgrade. 

“Streamline won this award for going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Vanessa Palmer, the HRDC transportation program manager, said. “When the Bozeman and Belgrade communities were shut down due to the pandemic, Streamline extended its hours of service to provide transportation to essential workers.” 

The 2020 Redesign Streamline study, which recommended increased service coverage, weekend coverage and extended service hours, was voted #1 Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars in the annual Bozeman Choice Awards organized by the Bozeman Magazine. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the transportation needs of Bozeman as the community continues to grow. Following the study, Streamline has been proactively working to improve transit access to work and healthcare centers, expand weekend coverage and provide zero-fare transportation options for people from lower-income areas.

“We hope this award will show Gallatin Valley residents that the Streamline system is a nationally recognized public transportation service,” Palmer said. “Community investment in Streamline truly benefits us all, not just those who ride the bus.” The HRDC has been working toward the improvement of transportation services as they believe it is a critical infrastructure for the rapidly increasing population.

Streamline has made some major changes to benefit the community as a whole and have more changes planned. “Over the next few years, we hope to make continual improvements to the Streamline system, such as enhanced signage (some of the new signs have already been installed), better bus stop amenities and greater accessibility of our maps and schedules,” Palmer said. “If additional funding is secured, we also hope to expand routes and increase frequency.”

Transportation services help anyone and everyone in the community get to the places they need to go, and Streamline is determined to be there for those who need it. “We are really trying to emphasize the Benefits Us All message with regards to Streamline,” Palmer said.