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UTA’s 2024 onboard survey shows majority of riders under 35, high walk access and notable dependence on transit in some areas
Summary
Utah Transit Authority reported results from its 2024 onboard survey, including expanded weekend and on‑demand sampling. Findings: most riders were 34 or younger, 54% of respondents earned under $45,000, access and egress were predominantly by walking, and 30% of respondents overall reported no working vehicle in their household.
Dee Dee Murray, strategic planner at the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), presented results from UTA’s 2024 onboard survey, describing methodology, sample changes from prior cycles and headline findings.
Murray said the origin‑destination survey (demographics and trip patterns) and on‑to‑off counts were collected between February and April 2024, a period chosen to capture in‑session school travel and a range of weather conditions. UTA used Resource Systems Group (RSG) as a consultant and deployed digital tablets with real‑time geocoding. For the first time UTA included on‑demand service (VIA fleet) in the sample and extended surveying to weekends; the sample represented roughly 2% of ridership.
Key findings presented by UTA: - Rider age: a majority of respondents were 34 years or younger, consistent with 2019 results. - Income: about 54% of respondents reported household income under $45,000 per year. - Vehicle availability: overall, about 30% of respondents reported no working vehicle available in their household (across fixed routes, rail and on‑demand samples). - Access and egress: more than 80% of riders reported walking as their access and egress mode. - Fare payment: about 35% used an electronic card; among bus riders, approximately 15% paid cash — an increase since 2019.
On on‑demand service (VIA), UTA surveyed 74 riders across innovative mobility zones (South Davis, Salt Lake City Westside, South Salt Lake County and Tooele). Among on‑demand respondents, 33% reported no working vehicle in the household and 78% reported not having a driver’s license. Weekend surveying captured additional trip patterns; UTA noted 23% of weekend respondents had one or more transfers.
Murray said the onboard survey fulfills Federal Transit Administration Title VI reporting requirements and supports travel‑model inputs. UTA plans to repeat the onboard survey every four years, with the next survey anticipated in 2028.
