The Utah Transit Authority is implementing emergency bus service reductions as it continues to struggle with staffing.

Come Dec. 11, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake and Summit counties will experience adjustments to local routes, ski-service routes and regional routes.

Many bus routes will have the frequency of their service delayed and some trips suspended. Particularly of note as skiing season will be underway by the time adjustments are made, trips to Ogden-area resorts are being restructured to take place more during mid-day hours and less at peak times.

In recognizing the impact changes will have on riders, UTA board of trustees Chair Carlton Christensen said in a news release that the agency is working to minimize them by maintaining service for essential riders as well as maintaining service and connections throughout the day to serve the greatest number of people.

According to the UTA, operators for other services are well staffed and will not be affected. Transit services to remain unaffected include Utah County bus service, FrontRunner, TRAX, paratransit, Bus Rapid Transit, UTA On Demand and the S-Line Streetcar.

Staffing challenges for the transit authority began in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. UTA Senior Media Relations Specialist Carl Arky previously told the Standard-Examiner bringing service back into full swing was made more difficult due to Utah’s growing economy and unemployment.

With bus operator positions requiring a commercial drivers license and a solid driving record, Chief People Officer Kim Shanklin said the UTA is having difficulty hiring qualified applicants.

The UTA implemented an Early Onboard Program last fall to bring people in who do not have a CDL and help train them to acquire one.

Greg Gerber, UTA director of talent acquisition, said the agency trains applicants with a focus on obtaining a CDL within the first two weeks of their tenure.

“It’s been a game changer for us,” Gerber said of the program, which has reportedly resulted in a 97% pass rate of applicants to obtain licensing.

Even with a CDL, the UTA has minimum requirements for operators, including no more than two driving violations in a three-year period, no DUIs in 10 years and passing a criminal background check.

Gerber said the UTA is trying to find a balance between delivering reliable service and insuring safety of its riders.

The transit authority’s staffing shortage is reportedly not unique to Utah, with the number of bus operators leaving the industry increasing throughout the pandemic.

UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said many operators concerned about COVID-19 exposure are retiring or seeking alternative employment, resulting in the current shortage.

“The UTA is a great company to work for, and we have a lot to offer people,” Shanklin said.

For a full list of service changes, go to https://www.rideuta.com/Rider-Info/Change-Day.

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