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Show pote 13-31 January 1995 | Two New Shuttles for Alta; $250,000 Savings for UTA a “ _by Sara Lindeman The town of Alta currently sports two new shuttle services for skiers and Alta residents. One shuttle carries skiers from the Albion Basin parking lot to the Goldminder’s Daughter lot. The second shuttle serves as a link between the Alta and Snowbird fesers. ~ "* Following a move by the Utah Tra nsport Authority to “economize” their Alta-Snowbird the UTA transportation shuttles make fewer costs, trips between resorts this year. Previously the UTA offered a shuttle that transported skiers between Snowbird and Alta. The shuttle ran every fifteen minutes P9Oy 4 oly: 2 Between Alta Lift Company is a financial conduring a test Christmas week. Connie Marshall, Director of Marketing for Alta Lift Company, said she was disappointed in the change in [UTA] service. She said when the resorts work as a unit, they provide a greater level of customer service. “Alta and Snowbird together are larger than the sum of their parts,” Marshall said. Marshall stressed the importance of easy access between resorts to ensure a positive overall experience for the customer. The change in shuttle service surprised local businesses as the winter season arrived and “Alta and Snowbird together are larger than the sum of their parts.” Snowbird center, the Chiff Lodge, Goldminer’s parking lot and Albion: Basin. In order to fill in the gaps caused by the UTA changes, Alta businessmen worked with Canyon Transportation to offer an alternative shuttle service to resort goers and locals. The new Canyon ‘Transportation shuttle runs from the Cliff Lodge Level B up the by-pass road to the Goldminer’s Daughter parking lot and back to the Cliff, with stops at all of the condominiums in-between. The shuttle is available to _ anyone and costs $2 per ride versus seventy-five cents, or free with a employee pass, for the cancelled UTA shuttle . Currently, the riders compictely tund the Canyon Transportation shuttle. The response from UTA was diplomatic, especially in light of last year’s hubbub with Snowbird and their reluctance to pay for routes. “[The UTA buses] still the historic UTA shuttle didn’t. “We’re real- - Connie Marshall run, but not as regularly,” said Bill Barnes, a UTA spokesman. “During peak hours it runs every 10 minutes. Off peak someone could wait up to a half an hour. This was a move toward economizing our costs provide the resorts and riders the best possible continuing vice.” He continued by claiming the resorts were in agreement these changes. However, Alta dents and officials said the loss declined to be identified said: “Ray Gardiner believed that Snowbird was losing skiers to Alta. He felt the shuttle detracted from Snowbird’s bottom line.” In defense of Snowbird a spokesman who preferred to stay anonymous said “These changes will tributor to the new inter-Alta shuttle system, a system which was a success ly happy about what [Canyon Transportation] is going to do,” said Allyn Hart, manager of Blackjack Condominiums. “TI started working here 21 years ago. The UTA shuttle was really effective and our guests save UTA over $250,000 this year.” Snowbird resort to Alta, Alta business Ray this ing his Owners point out the system both ways. Gardiner returned our calls for article, but got only our answerservice. We will be happy to print view point in the next issue. While the UTA spokesperson said Gardiner had nothing to do with the changes, many others said he did. A quick check with the bell desk at the Cliff lodge showed a marked change in service offered to guests visiting Alta. A call requesting a ride from the Albion Grill to the Cliff was met with the following: “We are no longer able to pick up guests in Alta.” This would seem to indicate this year when they found out the ‘Shuttle wasn’t running.” John Goldner, assistant town | tles to nearby ai ae administrator said, “Last year we had restaurants canyon-only quarter-hour UTA shut- a UTA shuttle betweeen Snowbird and Alta. Ray Gardiner [Snowbird CEO] doesn’t want that bus doing that, which left everyone using the UTA shuttle up in the air.” One local businessman who Alta as well as PRS _Nickels“Not Your Typical Smoke-Filled Lounge” yoey sjued ent 10} sBuly ofeyng uemsuy Big Screen TV * Full Menu 6” Pizza With 5¢ Toppings¢ Daily Specials Variety of Domestic and Micro Brews ski area of choice, inter-resort’ travel in Alta became much easier this season. Throughout the day drivers with vans are available to transport Alta guests between the Albion and Wildcat basins. The the UTA shuttle schedule heavily impact- Evendon said. “In addition, we used to direct non-skiing visitors down to the Snowbird shops while their families skied. Without the shuttle service we can’t do that anymore.” ® EI aea we 655-7092 Downstairs @ Crusty's Restaurant Cr ol aetlo)B| ea x oss ~~ “RALL IN LOVE WITH PIzzA AGAIN!® LfOOO So. 2Atoo ECL. HILLSIDE PLAZA - NEAR REAMS CLOSE TO THE MOUTH OF BIG AND LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYONS! 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The service UTA offers now is only from the regular canyon busses down Evendon, Albion Grill, said the changes in the eae roe lem in to with serthat with resiof a Tim works someone at Snowbird is trying to put the kibosh on inter-resort Cra eters! Previously the Cliff Lodge Bell desk offered shut- loved it. People were really unhappy to be “If a Cliff lodge guest wants to dine in Alta he may contact Canyon Transportation to get there,” said Tim, a night time bell person working at the Cliff Lodge. Though Gardner’s concern may be removal of business from _ the | OD SY SOURDOUGH RIEEAl PIZZA [vss FALL IN LOVE WITH PIZZA “ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER ~ OFFER. VALID AT HILLSIDE LOCATION ONLY. NO , | CASH VALUE. THIS WCR COUPON EXPIRES 2/22/96 942-6066 |
