A day in the life of a UTA bus driver

For Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus operator Zack Colton, his daily route is more than just a job it's a passion and life calling.

In 2025, the UTA provided more than 40 million boardings, of which many BYU students used. Colton is one of the operators who helped provide this service.

Colton introduced himself while sitting in the bus he had driven that day.

Im Zack. I grew up around here, and I drive buses for UTA, he said.

Colton doesn't have a crazy UTA origin story; he simply saw an advertisement.

I just saw an ad on a train somewhere, and I was like, I like to drive! Colton said.

But since he started, Colton said he has fallen in love with the art of being a UTA bus driver. Although he's been a driver for almost seven years, his love for driving extends beyond his job.

I do really like driving, and I go on a lot of road trips, he said.

He shared that he enjoys carpentry and outdoor activities. Unknown to many, Colton also has a passion for the UTA Bus Roadeos.

Theres something called a bus roadeo. Its like an obstacle course with a bus, Colton said. UTA holds one every year, and the winners get to go to nationals. There, they get to show off how good their innovations are and how good their drivers are.

At bus roadeos, participants are expected to drive through challenging obstacles safely and quickly. This competition has helped bus operators to have fun while also increasing their driving skills.

Colton has been to nationals for the past two years and is going again this year. Colton said this year, the nationals will be held in Salt Lake in May. Colton has been training for the bus roadeos by setting up his own obstacle courses.

"I train myself. I have access to the specifics of the obstacle course, so I set up my own cones and everything, and I practice," he said.

Colton placed first in the 2025 UTA Bus Roadeo and ranked tenth in the International Bus Roadeo held in Austin, Texas.

Colton expressed that he enjoys his job not only because it allows him to drive, but also because of the people involved with his work. He described the friendly atmosphere with his coworkers.

Its kind of weird because were not around each other all the time, its just me most of the time. But if youre ever at the garage, everyone is really social and happy to talk, he said. Probably because they dont get to talk all the time.

Colton also said he enjoys being of service to others. His passengers consist of many students and people with disabilities.

It really helps those who are going to school who maybe dont have enough funds to have their own car or even just pay for parking, Colton said. It really gives people an opportunity to get to where theyre going quickly without having the responsibility of having a car.

Another aspect Colton said he enjoys about being a UTA bus operator is the sense of community.

When youre driving, youre just focused on the road. But when youre riding the bus, its relaxed, and you can be with others around you, Colton said.

He said being a UTA bus driver has widened his perspective.

I get to know passengers, and its great. It gets me a perspective of what a wide variety of personalities we have out there and perspectives that other people have, Colton said.

Colton said he hopes more people use different bus routes for more access and variety in their lives.

I feel like we tend to get into this routine of just going where were going, when you could have more access to other parts of town, Colton said.

Though bus operators may not be the first to come to mind as community heroes, they do a lot to strengthen communities while providing essential services.