Proposed bus routes offer direct service from Richardson Flat to ski resorts

Photo: Park City Municipal

Proposed bus routes to resorts would address demand but funding gap of more than $100,000 remains.

PARK CITY, Utah — Skiers could take a bus directly from the Richardson Flat Park and Ride to a ski resort this winter under a proposed Park City Transit plan.

The Park City Council discussed the plan on Sept. 28, and received the support of both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort in piloting a more direct bus service during the upcoming winter season.

The original cost of the proposed Richardson Flat routes was $883,530, which did not initially fit within Park City Transit’s budget, even with Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort contributing $150,000 each to offset costs.

“PC Transit has $450,000 in the FY24 budget for the route, leaving a funding gap of $133,530,” said a Park City Council staff report. “City Council supported the Richardson Flat express routes to the ski resorts if the costs could be offset by adjusting service dates and/or route frequency.”

To close this funding gap, service dates were changed, to Dec. 16 to March 31, and the evening route between Richardson Flat and the Old Town Transit Center was adjusted from a 20-minute frequency to a 40-minute frequency.

According to the staff report, Park City Transit plans to move forward with the following Richardson Flat Park and Ride services this winter:

Richardson Flat to Deer Valley Snow Park

• Stops: Richardson, PC Heights, Iron Horse, Snow Park, Old Town Transit Center, Iron Horse, PC Heights, Richardson
• Dec. 16-March 31
• 20-minute frequency, 5:45 a.m.-6:15 p.m.

Richardson Flat to Park City Mountain (PCM)

• Stops: Richardson, PC Heights, Park City High School, PCM, Park City High School, PC Heights, Richardson
• Dec. 16-March 31
• 20-minute frequency, 5:45 a.m.–6:15 p.m.

Richardson Flat to Old Town Transit Center

• Inbound stops: Richardson Flat, PC Heights, Park City High School, Iron Horse, Old Town Transit Center
• Outbound stops: Old Town Transit Center, Iron Horse, Park City High School, PC Heights, Richardson Flats
• Dec. 16-March 31
• 40-minute frequency, 6:15 p.m.–11:05 p.m.

Additional adjustments to winter transit services are currently being finalized, and will be presented at the Park City Council meeting on Oct. 26.