Park City, Utah — If you’re looking for a less stressful way to reach the ski resorts in Park City, take the bus. The High Valley Transit runs various buses around Park City, which help tourists and locals reach Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley. However, increasing crowds are making High Valley Transit plan for some significant improvements.
Connor Thomas from KPCW reports that High Valley Transit (which operates Park City Transit) plans to add more bus routes and stops in Park City. The decision came during the company’s first retreat, where they discussed new additions for Park City Transit. Their proposed $68.1 million budget includes $11.6 million in planned changes.
Their first major addition is a new bus route that would give skiers and riders another option for reaching the mountain. The Snowball Express (109) would have stops at Jeremy Ranch, Ecker Hill, the Canyons Village, and Mountain Village, with a Deer Valley stop being considered. It would notably skip the Kimball Junction Transit Center, which is used by the 101 and 10x bus routes. This new bus line would run during the heart of ski season (December through the start of April).
This would hopefully reduce the number of passengers from Route 101, which accounts for 65% of the High Valley Transit’s traffic.
“People were really frustrated, because, yes, they’re trying to take transit, but they go to get on a bus and they keep having full buses pass them,” said Kim Carson, High Valley Authority Board Member, on the October 23rd episode of KPCW’s Local News Hour.
A Woodward bus stop is also being considered for the 108 Route. Currently, the small Utah ski resort doesn’t have a bus stop with High Valley Transit. It has been a popular spot for those using High Valley Transit’s micro-transit service. Another proposed idea is doubling the number of 107 routes, which connects Park City and Salt Lake City.
Click here to listen to KPCW’s full conversation with Kim Carson and Caroline Rodriguez, High Valley Transit’s Executive Director.
Image Credits: Park City Transit (High Valley Transit)