Free Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ River Shuttle Returns This Summer
UM News Service
MISSOULA – The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will again provide recreators with free and convenient transportation to popular Clark Fork River access points this summer via the UDASH River Shuttle.
The UM River Shuttle was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Missoula’s Mountain Line. Shuttle services will run Thursday through Sunday beginning July 10 and continue through Aug. 10. All shuttles will depart from UM Campus Recreation to Sha-Ron and Milltown State Park river access sites.
Thursday and Friday departures will leave on the hour between 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday departures will leave on the hour between noon and 4 p.m.
“By working together to provide a zero-fare transit option to river recreators, we will reduce parking congestion and increase safety at the river access sites, helping keeping our treasured waterways healthy and enjoyable for all,” said Vickie Rectenwald, Associated Students of UM transportation director. “Let the tube hatch begin!”
Please note that all tubes must be deflated before entering the shuttle to maximize space and ensure comfort to all passengers.
Rectenwald said UM shuttles provided over 2,400 trips to the river during summer 2023, averaging 150 to 160 floaters on Saturdays and Sundays. By prohibiting inflated tubes and maximizing the number passengers who can board the bus, UDASH can increase its weekend average to 250 floaters daily.
River ambassadors will be stationed at both drop-off sites to help inflate tubes. The Missoula Valley River Recreation Ambassador Project is a collaboration between UM; the Clark Fork Coalition; Missoula County; the City of Missoula; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and the Missoula Conservation District. All partners are committed to its continuation in the upcoming years.
UDASH River Shuttle riders also can enjoy free on-campus parking, courtesy of UM Parking.
“We are proud and grateful to work with so many key community partners that have been critical to bringing the river shuttles back,” Rectenwald said. “We want to thank UM Parking for waiving parking fees for river shuttle users on Thursdays and Fridays (free parking on the weekends!) and Mountain Line for directly sponsoring the shuttles.”
River Shuttle timetables and maps are available on the ASUM Transportation website.
###
Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.