UTA On Demand microtransit service now accessible in Provo and Orem
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- Mayors David Young of Orem and Michelle Kaufusi of Provo exit a UTA On Demand vehicle ahead of a media event Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Provo Airport.
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- The exterior of a UTA On Demand vehicle is shown Wednesday, May 7, 2025, outside of the Provo Airport.
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- The UTA On Demand app is shown in this undated photo.
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- The exterior of a UTA On Demand vehicle is shown Wednesday, May 7, 2025, outside of the Provo Airport.
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- This photo shows the wheelchair accessibility of a UTA On Demand vehicle outside of the Provo Airport on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
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- This map shows the designated coverage area for the UTA On Demand West Provo/Orem zone.
On Wednesday when Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and Orem Mayor David Young arrived outside of the Provo Airport in a sleek SUV, the two weren’t heading out of town. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new transit option within the cities they both lead.
The Utah Transit Authority launched its UTA On Demand service a little over five years ago with the first area of coverage in the southern end of Salt Lake County. Since then, the microtransit service has expanded to Salt Lake City’s westside, south Davis County and Tooele County.
With abundant growth in Utah County, and an increasing need for various means of transit, UTA said the timing was right to make the service available to commuters in the valley.
“We need to provide that alternative option,” UTA Trustee Jeff Acerson said during a media event Wednesday at the Provo Airport celebrating the new service in the county. “And I think as we do that, and the cost is more than reasonable, and people who have fixed schedules — or can plan their schedule — they can tie into our system and use transit to get where they need to go.”
The new UTA On Demand West Provo/Orem zone covers an area of 8.6 square miles and includes several destinations like the Provo Airport, Epic Sports Park, Provo High School, Elevate Utah (formerly known as Centro Hispano), Provo City Hall, as well as both the Provo and Orem Central FrontRunner stations, UTA said in a press release.
The defined service area essentially extends north from Lakeview Parkway, west of the Provo Towne Center, to the south side of University Parkway across from Utah Valley University.
It also includes service to three destination points outside the zone proper, which are Utah Valley Hospital, Orem Central Station and the Provo Rec Center.
UTA’s On Demand acts similar to a rideshare service, except riders will likely be picked up and dropped off close to their destination.
The form of transportation also connects riders with other transit services like TRAX, Front Runner, or bus for those needing to travel outside of the designated zone.
The service uses a platform designed and managed by Via, a technology that matches a group of riders going in the same direction.
“It’s a shared ride, so you may start at one point, and along the way to your destination, you may pick up other riders,” Acerson said.
The vehicles can fit up to four riders, at a fee of $2.50 per person for each one-way fare.
People can book and pay for their ride using a credit or debit card, FAREPAY card, Eco Pass or student pass through the UTA On Demand app or by calling 385-217-8191. Wait times can vary and persist up to 30 minutes during high-demand periods.
Wheelchair accessible options are also available, in which those residents would receive door-to-door service.
Young said he’s been pushing for this type of service in Orem to reduce traffic congestion and provide connectivity for short-distance trips for years.
He said projects like the On Demand program benefit the community due to numerous factors.
“UTA’s value goes beyond the people riding the train or catching the bus,” Young said. “It touches all of us through smarter infrastructure and a stronger economy. UTA services reduce road congestion on our freeways and city streets, which means fewer cars, fewer delays and quicker, safer commutes.”
Kaufusi complimented UTA for her “stress-free” ride in the On Demand vehicle from City Hall to the Provo Airport and noted the impacts the service will yield in the future.
“This partnership is just the beginning of expanded transportation options for our rapidly growing airport,” Kaufusi said. “With our 10-gate expansion on track for 2028, having reliable and convenient transit options isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential for our success and for providing travelers the stress-free experience we’re becoming known for.”
While UTA’s On Demand service isn’t currently accessible for residents in places like Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, Acerson said they are looking at different ways to alleviate traffic headaches in those areas among others in the county.
“You don’t have to travel on the roads very often to realize we need fewer cars on the road and more ways to get from Point A to Point B,” he said.
