Carl Arky, spokesperson, said UTA is not unlike other businesses and transit agencies across the country and is facing significant hiring challenges.

Finding qualified people to operate buses in Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, and services to Summit County, has led to the group making emergency changes to several local routes, including ski services.

Ski route services in Salt Lake County will be more heavily affected than those in Weber County. The number of trips on bus routes 674 to Powder Mountain and 675 to Snowbasin will be reduced.

According to Snowbasin spokesperson Kayla McFarland, the changes that went into effect Sunday will benefit the ski resort and help reduce their carbon footprint.

“The UTA ski bus service shift is a welcome change that will allow us to better support our guests and employees throughout the season,” said Davy Ratchford, Snowbasin general manager.

McFarland said the resort has been able to provide free bus service to employees and season pass holders, as well as discounted passes for $10 each winter, due to their partnership with UTA.

Reducing trips and focusing on periods of the day when demand is highest allows UTA to still provide service, however limited, without discontinuing routes altogether. “We are taking the pain and spreading it out,” Arky said.

Evolving ridership patterns, community needs and growth predictions have made the restoration of services post-COVID-19 much more difficult, Arky added.

With no other UTA services currently experiencing staffing issues — including FrontRunner, TRAX, paratransit, UTA On Demand, UVX, OGX and the S-Line Streetcar — UTA officials can only speculate as to the growing bus operator shortage.

Changes and adjustments to bus routes can be found at rideuta.com/Rider-Info/Change-Day.