Utah On-Demand Transit Hits 1 Million Rides

The service connects outlying communities with fixed-route transit lines.

1 minute read

May 29, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Silver UTA On Demand transit van in Utah.

UTA On Demand van. | Utah Transit Authority / UTA On Demand

An on-demand transit service provided by the Utah Transit Authority just surpassed one million rides, according to a press release from the agency.

UTA officials say UTA On Demand complements other UTA services and provides a key first-and last-mile connection to fixed-route transit lines. According to the agency, “UTA On Demand provides UTA with the ability to expand transit coverage in emerging areas, build a healthy foundation of riders and analyze their demand patterns, and eventually building ridership to inform fixed routes.”

On-demand transit, which grew during and after the pandemic as transit riders became less dependent on fixed routes catered to 9-to-5 commutes, can help transit systems expand access, particularly in suburban and rural areas like Utah’s Wasatch Front. However, some transit advocates warn that the concept is difficult to scale cost-effectively and could pull resources away from ‘traditional’ transit.  

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Utah Transit Authority

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

3 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

4 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

5 hours ago - Cities Today