Park City launches Transit to Trails pilot program

Summer Season: Chairlifts will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, June 14 - September 2. Photo: Deer Valley Resort

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City launched a pilot test this weekend of its Transit to Trail program, a free shuttle service from the Park City Arts District to popular trailheads.

The project is a collaboration between Park City Municipal, Utah Open Lands, and Utah Mountain Shuttle with funding provided by the Central Wasatch Commission.

The shuttles provide service to Mid-Mountain, Bonanza Flat, and Blood Lake Trailheads.

The program had a successful first weekend. There were riders on every shuttle, according to Kelly Fink, Outreach Coordinator for Utah Open Lands.

The two main incentives for launching the program were to decrease emissions and traffic congestion. Parking in the area just got harder as well- Wasatch County recently placed signs along Guardsman Pass Road restricting parking on either side.

The program is meant to accommodate the growing number of people looking to explore Utah’s nature. “I think what we saw during COVID, was that these open spaces were peoples’ sanity,” said Utah Open Lands Executive Director Wendy Fisher. “And now that they’ve found them, they’re going to continue to go.”

Fisher said the only problem they run into is money. She denounced the state legislature for not fully funding the Open Space Fund– which sponsors trail and trailhead construction.

She encourages anyone who used the shuttles this weekend to fill out a survey. The data they collect will be presented to lawmakers in order to secure funding to extend the program beyond this year.

The shuttles are capped when capacity is met. Reservations for the upcoming weekend are accepted from 7:30 a.m. Monday – 5:00 p.m. Friday. Riders without reservations will be picked up based on availability. The last day of the service is September 12.

You can place a reservation here. You can also call or text 801-808-1367 or email utahmountainshuttle@gmail.com. When reserving, they would like the following information:

• Number of riders
• Name and phone number of group leader
• Pick-up time
• Return time (if required)
• Equipment you will bring (bikes, etc) (Note: 6 Bikes MAX for trip)​

The shuttles depart from 1376 Munchkin Rd., Park City, Utah 84060.