Grand County commissioners approved two major agreements on Oct. 6 to formalize parking and staffing arrangements for the Moab-Arches shuttle pilot, a move that expands the existing contract with operator Via to include shuttle attendants. The vote, which passed 4-3, aims to coordinate transit logistics between the city and the national park, even as the program faces scrutiny over its high cost and low passenger volume.
Formalizing Shuttle Logistics
The new agreements, passed by the commission on Oct. 6, formalize arrangements for city parking and stops while adding shuttle attendant staffing to the existing contract with Via. The measures were approved by a 4-3 vote, with commissioners Jacques Hadler, Trish Hedin, and Mary McGann voting in opposition. Commissioner Mike McCurdy was out of the room during the initial vote but returned to join the session.
Parking and Transit Coordination
Under the memorandum of understanding signed by city officials on Sept. 14, the Emma Boulevard lot across from the Moab Rock Shop has been designated for shuttle rider parking and passenger loading. Lions Park will serve as overflow parking at the discretion of the city manager, subject to maintenance and scheduled events. Additionally, the agreement provides for sharing the existing Moab Area Transit stop located at the south Maverik.
Attendant Roles and Costs
The contract amendment with Via includes provisions for attendants to provide visitor information, monitor parking capacity, and assist drivers in finding spaces at the Delicate Arch trailhead and The Windows. These attendants are also tasked with reporting emergencies to the National Park Service using park radios and relaying parking conditions to operators to assist service coordination. The county has capped the initial payment for these attendant services at $114,000, with a rate of $41 per attendant hour to cover wages, benefits, training, and supervision.
Funding and Financial Criticism
The pilot program is supported by a total investment of $2.86 million, which includes $1.5 million from the National Park Service, $1 million from the Utah Department of Transportation, and $500,000 from Grand County. This has drawn criticism from observers who argue that local residents are being "triple taxed" by the use of federal, state, and local funds for a tourist-centric service. This stands in contrast to other systems, such as those in Zion or the Grand Canyon, where visitors cover most costs through entry fees.
Ridership and Efficiency Concerns
As of Sept. 29, observations of the shuttle service indicated significant operational challenges, including low ridership and inefficient capacity usage. Observations recorded nearly 100 shuttle bus trips, finding that more than 71% of buses were completely empty and nearly 90% carried two or fewer passengers. With a seating capacity of 14 per bus, the shuttles were operating at approximately 7.2% of their total capacity.
Operational Deficiencies
Critics have pointed to a high per-rider cost, noting that during a three-hour observation period at the Arches Visitor Center, the estimated cost was more than $84 per passenger. This is significantly higher than the 2025 Grand Canyon shuttle system cost of approximately $1.50 per rider. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of accurate shuttle route maps and reports of buses idling for up to 19 minutes at Arches.
Future of the Pilot Program
The future of the shuttle program remains uncertain, as the current fall service is scheduled to continue through Oct. 31 before spring service begins on March 1. Grand County and the National Park Service are scheduled to meet by Nov. 16 to evaluate the pilot and determine whether to extend the program beyond its current term. Currently, no funding has been secured to continue the service beyond the pilot phase.
