Overview

Billings is governed via the mayor council system. There are ten members of the city council who are elected from one of five wards with each ward electing two members. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The current city charter, also called the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) was established 1977.

The City of Billings Metropolitan Transit System (MET Transit) was created in 1972 by the passage of a City of Billings Ordinance and came into existence on January 1, 1973.  Council members serve four-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms. Members must reside within the Ward from which they are elected and must be qualified voters of the City of Billings.

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Areas of Jurisdiction

About 43.52 square miles of the urbanized areas of the City of Billings serving 110 thousand people in the Billings. With the Urban of 114,773 and a Metro population of 183,799 (2019).

Provision of Services

MET Transit determines the routing, stops, frequencies and hours of operation.

Service in Billings includes 16 fixed bus routes and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit service (MET Plus).   MET Transit has a current fleet of 40 vehicles – 25 vehicles are used on the MET fixed-route service, and 15 vehicles are used on the MET Plus paratransit service.

Operating Budget

Approximately $6.8 million annual operating budget; $312 thousand comes from fares. Fare revenue accounts for 8.5% of annual operating cost, average fare box recovery ratios among similar transit systems (FY23).

Ridership

MET Transit generates 325 thousand annual passenger trips (FY23) or approximately 1,400 trips each weekday. The buses operate on roughly 265 route-miles throughout the City of Billings. Two transit centers – Downtown and Stewart Park Transit Center are available where bus routes meet and passengers are able to transfer between bus lines.

MET Transit currently tracks four categories of passengers by fares – senior, disabled, youth, and adult. Adults represent approximately 38 percent of the overall transit passengers for MET, with youth accounting for 30 percent, disabled passengers accounting for 20 percent, and seniors passengers comprising the remaining 12 percent.

Planning and Scheduling

MET Transit is responsible for the service planning, scheduling, and performance monitoring of all MET transit services.  Service adjustments occur three times per year and as needed to improve efficiency and customer service.

Funding

MET Transit receives funding from various federal, state, and local sources. The primary sources are a Mill-Levy of 9.4 percent, Federal Transit Administration (sections 5310, 5303, 5307, and 5339), Montana Department of Transportation and fares.

Aviation & Transit Board

Find additional information about the board function, members, and meeting resources HERE.

Overview

MET Transit operates under the guidance of adopted plans and policies. Public comment is accepted during the open planning phases, and all public meetings are posted on the website, MET Transit public calendar, and social media outlets.

PLANS AND STUDIES

Below are links to various operational and administrative plans and studies for the MET Transit system; these plans are created and updated as needed.

• Public Participation Plan
• Public Transit Agency Safety Plan
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Plan
• 2015 Route and Schedule Analysis
• Billings Area Transportation Coordination Plan (Updated Annually)
• FY23 Transit Asset Management Plan
• Proposed FY2024-2026 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal

SURVEYS

MET Transit periodically conducts surveys of the public for feedback regarding the transit system; results of these surveys can be found below.

• 2015 Onboard Survey and Technical Memo
• 2020 Community Wide Transit Survey Results

MET Transit is a dynamic team that includes administrative, dispatch, facility/ ground maintenance, mechanics, and operators. Each position has different qualifications and scheduling requirements. 

Learn more about available positions and apply at the link below:

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES