Salt Lake County Council Funds New Cottonwood Canyons Shuttle Service: The Salt Lake County Council voted 7-1 to authorize the thousands of dollars needed to help pay for a new skier-friendly shuttle service in the Cottonwood Canyons.
Skiers have had trouble traveling to resorts since the Utah Transportation Authority reduced its shuttle service. Red Line Podcast’s Connor Dunstan shared images on Twitter of the lengthy lines skiers had been waiting in, the crowded UTA buses, and the full parking lots.
Tweeted The Red Line Podcast, “People are aware that I was the first to defend UTA when the December service cuts were announced, but I have to admit that the ski bus is now a major mess. Over two hours were spent waiting in the cold with at least 100 passengers.”
The second ski bus of the morning pulls up to a bus full of people (about 1/3 resort employees), with no room for any of them. The next one is also full.
This is life with 30-minute headways. The cottonwoods are broken. pic.twitter.com/pWJyhBxadb
— Taylor W Anderson (@TaylorWAnderson) January 2, 2023
On Wednesday morning, Tim Trasatti and his buddies were traveling to Solitude. They waited for an hour before changing their minds and opting to go night skiing instead.
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“It was somewhat upsetting. We were a little disappointed because we came from out of state and were really excited to climb the hill, according to Trasatti. “The fact that we were unable to use the slopes was disheartening.”
“According to county council chair Aimee Winder Newton, the UTA had to substantially cut back on service. They didn’t have enough money to pay bus drivers to stay.” She claimed that the county council was aware that immediate action was required.
The new shuttle service will be funded jointly by the county, Visit Salt Lake, and a number of ski resorts in the Cottonwood Canyons. The county will contribute more than $200,000 of the total cost of $500,000.
People know that I was the first to speak out in UTA’s defense when the December service cuts were announced, but I’ve gotta be honest, the ski bus has become a massive debacle at this point. At least a hundred passengers waited in the cold for over two hours yesterday while… pic.twitter.com/UJD0fSvciP
— The Red Line Podcast (@TheRedLine_pod) January 9, 2023
Beginning on January 26, the new service will continue through April 16. The service will operate Thursday through Sunday in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and will offer skiers vehicles and mini-coaches. Skiers will be required to pay a $10 roundtrip. VisitSaltLake.com is a good place to go if you want to learn more.
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The maximum number of skiers per week will begin at 784 and increase from there. Sandy, Midvale, and Cottonwood Heights will all be served by routes. Also expected are halts at several hotels and parking lots.