BTA to provide demand‑response transit; county asked to host 12‑passenger vehicle

The Bear River Transportation (BTA) representatives told the Daggett County Commission that a smaller, demand‑response mobility‑management vehicle will be provided to the area rather than a fixed‑route bus, and that the project is ready to implement pending final logistics.

Kevin (BTA representative) said vehicle costs rose above earlier estimates and that the county’s quarter‑cent sales tax contribution was used to provide local match. He said UDOT will hold title to the vehicle until it meets grant requirements and that the service will operate on a call‑in model rather than a daily fixed route. The vehicle is a 12‑passenger cutaway and will not require a commercial driver’s license for operation under the planned service model.

BTA asked for the county’s help in hosting and securing the vehicle — “I’d prefer you parked it here,” Kevin said — and said the vehicle will periodically travel to Vernal or Green River for maintenance. BTA staff said they will solicit for a part‑time mobility coordinator and will schedule trips based on community requests; the program requires a 50% local match on UDOT mobility‑management funds.

The commission discussed parking, security and staffing for the vehicle. Commissioners and BTA agreed that early service will be minimal while the program builds ridership and additional grant matches are sought; the agency also requested feedback on pickup/drop locations (potentially Walmart or other local hubs) and requested permission to park the vehicle at county facilities for security and ease of access.

Next steps: BTA will solicit part‑time staff, finalize parking arrangements with the county and begin limited demand‑response service. The county will consider the parking request and the commission and staff will coordinate on maintenance routing and formal parking authorization.