The Moab-Arches shuttle officially launched on Sept. 9, 2026, as federal, state, and Grand County officials began a six-month pilot program to measure the transit service's impact on visitor travel and parking congestion near Arches National Park.
A New Transit Connection
Federal, state, and Grand County officials gathered at Panorama Point in Arches National Park on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to celebrate the rollout of the shuttle and discuss how the pilot results might influence future transportation decisions. The ceremony occurred one day before the official launch on Sept. 9 and one week after a soft launch began carrying passengers.
The shuttle system connects four stop areas in Moab with the Arches Visitor Center. From there, riders transfer to an in-park route that serves The Windows and the Delicate Arch trailhead. The town route operates every 30 minutes, while the in-park route runs every 15 minutes.
Funding and Collaboration
The pilot program is backed by approximately $3 million in funding from federal, state, and county sources. The project moved forward following three separate 4-3 votes by the Grand County Commission, despite facing objections regarding the project's cost, planning process, accelerated timeline, and potential effectiveness in reducing traffic.
Grand County Commission Chair Melodie McCandless said the project represents the results of collaboration between multiple agencies. "It is a celebration of what we can accomplish when we bring everyone to the table," McCandless said. "Projects of this scale don't happen in isolation. They require patience, vision, open communication and above all, collaboration."
Measuring Pilot Impact
Agencies will monitor the effectiveness of the service by tracking ridership, passenger destinations, and parking conditions. Lena Pace, superintendent of the National Park Service's Southeast Utah Group, said park employees documented parking conditions at The Windows and Delicate Arch before the service began to allow for future comparison.
Via Transportation, the contractor operating the service for Grand County, is collecting data on ridership and how long passengers remain at various destinations. Jared Beard, a Utah Department of Transportation Region 4 deputy director, noted that UDOT contributed $1 million toward the pilot and intends to use the ridership data to determine future steps.
Future Expansion Potential
The shuttle pilot follows the National Park Service's decision not to require advance timed-entry reservations at Arches in 2026. The Park Service previously identified a reservation system as a successful method for reducing congestion and improving visitor experiences.
While the current in-park route serves Delicate Arch and The Windows, it does not reach Devils Garden or most other destinations. Pace stated that agencies are excited to explore opportunities to expand the service in the future.
Public Information and Feedback
Grand County spokesperson Melisa Jeffers said shuttle-stop signs were being installed on Sept. 9 in Moab and inside Arches. These signs include a QR code for information regarding schedules, routes, and required park passes.
As of Sept. 8, the park had received 12 positive responses from visitors via an online comment form linked to QR codes on the shuttles.
Accessibility Goals
Aaron Calkins, the Interior Department's deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, said the shuttle supports the goal of keeping national parks open and accessible. Calkins noted that officials should be prepared to adjust the service as they learn how it functions in practice.
Data Transparency
The county intends to release reports and raw data to the public, though a specific release date has not been set. Jeffers noted that the county hopes to release survey information from the Park Service, depending on what the agency's data policy allows.
