Wasatch and Summit counties have shown that partnership is a “powerful” driver of success, at least in the case of High Valley Transit.  Executive Director Caroline Rodriguez said detailed data collected over the past four years shows a steady increase in usage, especially for microtransit rides.  As of July 2026, High Valley Transit has completed 5.4 million fixed-route rides and 1.5 million microtransit rides since forming in early 2021. High Valley Transit offers free microtransit as an on-demand service in certain zones where vans are dispatched on schedule or by request to a rider’s location or the nearest intersection. The High Valley app may also group passengers together if they’re traveling in the same area. In Wasatch County, riders are ordering origin-to-destination rides because there are no complimentary fixed route services other than the regular commuter route. Summit County side riders use microtransit to connect fixed route services with the beginning or end of their journey.  Riders can book rides up to two weeks in advance. Users might be making a trip to the grocery store, a restaurant or a medical appointment. Steady growth is expected, especially in Wasatch County, based on two predictive algorithms run by High Valley Transit.  “In both zones, we’ve had growth year after year,” Rodriguez said. Midway showed high recurrences for microtransit ridership, and most rides were centered around hospitality destinations. “The anecdotal feedback we get is that these (are) workers are going to work, because we don’t ask for their purpose,” Rodriguez said.  The Kimball Junction Transit Center, Walmart and the park-and-ride at Jeremy Ranch were Summit County’s top microtransit destinations. The hospital in Park City additionally saw high ridership. Rodriguez said that in both counties, there is also growth in paratransit rides. The Heber Valley Clinic was the most common origin and destination for paratransit riders in Wasatch County. Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau said the Senior Center has an “amazing staff” that provides ample opportunities for residents in the area, but he hopes continual partnership with High Valley Transit will improve seniors’ independence and well-being.  “It’s a really positive, uplifting and fulfilling experience for our seniors,” Grabau said.  Rodriguez affirmed that High Valley Transit is looking to increase its number of older riders and will introduce a new seniors fare next month. About 20% of Wasatch County residents are 65 or older. Fewer than 20 riders signed up for paratransit in Wasatch County. Though some riders use the service up to six times per day.  “I don’t think we’ve denied a single person who’s applied for eligibility yet,” Rodriguez said.  Rodriguez said studies show seniors, youth, people with disabilities and those with language barriers face additional mobility challenges above what the general population faces. Data also showed that 18% of Heber City households have one vehicle. High Valley Transit’s mission is to help bridge the transportation gap. Rodriguez said High Valley Transit continues to be the most cost-effective, demand-response service operated in Utah. That shows in both Summit and Wasatch counties.  “We continue to provide the most service for the least amount of money,” Rodriguez said.  Connections between Park City and Wasatch County will also continue to grow. The Deer Valley East stop in the Military Installation Development Authority area continues to be a hot spot for boardings along the 106 system. “We continue to look at the MIDA area and how that is such an important connection between the two counties, and how service there can be expanded outward into both sides, Summit and Wasatch,” Rodriguez said. “We know the demand is there.” Summit County Councilor Roger Armstrong said Summit and Wasatch counties were not discussing regional transportation opportunities 10 years ago. High Valley Transit formed in early 2021. “It was a bridge too far, and then we stuck our toe in the water and finally decided we were going to start doing this,” Armstrong said. “I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to come from there to here in the kind of operations that we’re doing collaboratively.” Rodriguez said it’s important to continue that work. There will be a High Valley Transit session on Oct. 29 where both counties, plus local leaders from area municipalities, are invited to attend. It’s an opportunity for leaders to meet, plan and learn more about the value of High Valley Transit services, she said. “I think one thing that has been demonstrated over the last two years is that Wasatch (County) and Summit County together are very powerful,” Rodriguez said. The post High Valley Transit projected to grow in Summit, Wasatch counties appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less