High Valley Transit riders booking on-demand trips in August may get picked up in an electric vehicle for the first time. The fare-free agency announced Tuesday, Aug. 4, that it is testing EVs in its microtransit van fleet, a pilot that will guide how the Wasatch Back's transit system grows. The region is also preparing for the 2034 Winter Olympics, which will increase transit demand across Summit County.
The trial marks HVT's first electric deployment outside its fixed-route bus network. The agency already operates eight battery-electric buses on scheduled routes and secured a $16.2 million federal grant in July 2024 to buy 10 more. But microtransit vans face different demands: shorter trips, unpredictable routing and frequent stops across three service zones covering Park City, Kimball Junction and the Heber Valley.
According to HVT's rider news feed, authored by Whitney Childers, the agency will evaluate five factors: vehicle range, charging needs, scheduling impacts, mechanical reliability and performance in varying weather conditions.
That last metric matters here. The Wasatch Back's mountain winters have already tested HVT's electric bus program; the agency's existing EVs previously recharged at a propane-powered station at Ecker Hill while permanent infrastructure was built out.
HVT did not disclose how many electric vans are entering service, what make or model they are, or how long the pilot will run. The announcement states riders may see the vehicles in service over the coming months.
What riders need to know
Nothing changes for passengers. Microtransit remains free, on-demand and bookable through the High Valley Transit app or by calling 435-246-1538. The service runs daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. in Summit County and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Wasatch zone. As of January 2025, HVT had logged more than 1 million microtransit rides since launching the service in May 2021.
Bigger picture
The EV pilot is one piece of a broader buildout. Construction on the $109 million Bobsled Express bus rapid transit line along SR-224 began April 6 and is expected to deliver dedicated-lane service between Kimball Junction and Old Town by 2028. HVT Executive Director Caroline Rodriguez said in April, when the Bobsled Express name was unveiled, "Look forward to Bob on your next commute."
That project, combined with the 10 new electric buses funded by the FTA grant, will expand HVT's capacity well ahead of the 2034 Games.
Fleet planning decisions informed by the microtransit pilot's data could determine whether HVT's next generation of on-demand vans goes fully electric.
