Electric Vans and Charging Stations Replacing Gas Powered Vehicles
WHAT: Tooele County UTA On Demand Electrification Launch
WHEN: Thursday, October 19, 2023 / Noon-12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tooele Senior Citizens Center / 59 E. Vine Street, Tooele, Utah 84074
WHO:
- Jeff Acerson, UTA Board of Trustees
- Cindy Terwilliger, Federal Transit Administration Representative
- Debbie Winn, Tooele City Mayor
- Neil A. Critchlow, Grantsville City Mayor
- Jeff Coombs, Executive Director, Tooele County Health
- Jay Fox, UTA Executive Director
The Utah Transit Authority, in partnership with
Tooele County, the Federal Transit
Administration, UCAIR, Rocky Mountain Power,
and Via Transportation, will figuratively flip the
switch at noon on Thursday, October 19, 2023,
at the Tooele Senior Citizens Center (59 E. Vine
Street, Tooele) to launch an all-new fleet of
electric vehicles for UTA On Demand.
UTA is replacing its gasoline powered vehicles with a fleet of ten (10) Ford E-transit
vans which seat six, are powered by electricity, and are ADA accessible. As part of the
transition, UTA has also installed thirteen (13) Level 2 overnight chargers, and six (6)
Level 3 fast charging ports.
The updated On-Demand microtransit service in Tooele County will provide affordable
transportation for a rural area that has seen ridership triple during the past year. This
switch to all-electric service will not only provide better coverage, increased access and
greater flexibility for riders, it will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In the initial
months of operation, the EPA estimates a reduction in emissions of 2.7 metric tons.
“Expanding public transportation beyond the Salt
Lake Valley is not just about connecting
communities,” says Kim Frost, Executive Director
at UCAIR. “It’s vital to advancing a more
sustainable and inclusive future.”
UTA has a 5 year operating agreement with
Tooele County. $1.7 million dollars in federal
funding has already been invested for the capital
costs of this project, which addresses the critical
First/Last Mile challenge preventing potential
riders from using public transportation.
UTA On Demand is an innovative form of transportation that connects riders with other
transit services like TRAX, FrontRunner, or Bus as well as to other destinations in the
community. The app-based technology matches multiple riders headed in a similar
direction into a single vehicle, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips.
Trips must start and end within the designated service area. After booking a ride, the
app will display the pick-up location. On Demand is a corner-to-corner service, with
pick-ups and drop offs close to rider destinations. This is a shared ride service so riders
may board with others in the vehicle or stop along the way to pick up other passengers.
Riders are advised to plan ahead to provide enough time to reach the destination. Wait
times can range between 15-30 mins when there is high demand for rides.
UTA On Demand is in four zones located in Tooele County, Southern Salt Lake County,
Salt Lake City Westside, and South Davis County.
