High Valley bus service separates Summit County and Park City Transit

On the 101 inbound High Valley bus. Photo: Parker Malatesta

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — This month, High Valley Transit launched its fixed-route bus service, fully separating itself from Park City Transit. “The response has been great,” said Summit County Regional Transportation Planning Director Caroline Rodriquez. She is also the interim general manager for High Valley Transit.

“I think people are always nervous about change. But both from the Park City side and the High Valley side, our number one focus was customer continuity- making sure that people who have access to transit service continue to have that service.”

Rodriquez said, like with most businesses today, they are struggling with staffing drivers. “We have had challenges, it’s exacerbated by the high cost of living here.”

Landon, who operates the 101 – Spiro/224 local line, said he just moved to Park City five days ago to work for High Valley. He said some riders have been slightly confused by the switch. High Valley is still going around the service area to make sure the proper literature for riders is on display.

The bus service adds to the micro-transit operation that High Valley launched in May. High Valley is an independent transit district created by the government of Summit County. As an independent agency, it is overseen by a board of trustees.

Summit County established a list of goals for the transit system in the lead-up to its launch.

• Reduce traffic congestion
• Improve job access
• Reduce parking demand
• Increase tourism
• Minimize environmental impact

Summit County concluded that in order to achieve these goals, they need to accomplish two things- reach high ridership numbers through “frequency and speed along clear and efficient primary corridors,” and focus on serving areas where retail, hospitality, and service workers live.

The report also noted underserved geographies that the county may consider expanding to or improving upon in the future. In order of priority, they include Heber City and other parts of Wasatch County, Kamas, Quinn’s Junction, Northern Snyderville Basin, Coalville, Henefer, and Salt Lake City.

You can contact High Valley Transit staff at hi@highvalleytransit.org or call 435-246-1538.