The Park City App landed a new partnership with the Salt Lake City International Airport. Parkite Zachary Bretz launched the software, which is available on Google Play and iOS, in 2023 with the goal of providing residents and visitors safe and quality transportation, especially during the winte r ski season. It has now joined the ranks of other private transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft, Bretz said. “We have the same license, the same regulatory permissions and structures that we got through the TNC, which is an abbreviation for Transportation Network Company,” he said. “That means we can operate anywhere in the state of Utah.” The license allowed Bretz and his team to sign an operating agreement with the airport. “The airport has been wonderful since we transitioned to this new structure,” he said. “Because we have the same agreements as Uber and Lyft, we were able to get the same kind of signage they have. So, we now have our name up in the same number of areas as Uber and Lyft, and we have our own curb space, which gives us the same visibility, so more people will see us.” That exposure is a boon for Park City App, Bretz said. “Part of the reason why I’m excited to share this story is because when you land at Salt Lake International, whether you’re a resident, a longtime or first-time visitor, as far as I’m aware one of the very first mentions of Park City in words or any representation is our sign at the airport,” he said. Rideshare has only been regulated by the state of Utah since Uber and Lyft came on the scene 16 years ago, Bretz said. Park City App owner Zachary Bretz logs onto his app’s rideshare page. Bretz founded Park City App in 2023. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record “The Department of Commerce oversees regulation for rideshare business, and there have only been two of these businesses that are purely private — Uber and Lyft — that have operated with the airport for all of those years until now,” he said. The license, which was granted to Park City App last year, offers the same insurance policy used by Uber and Lyft, Bretz said. “That means Park City App provides the insurance on all of the vehicles that we use and that we can provide the insurance on a per-ride basis,” he said. “So our drivers don’t have to get their own commercial insurance out-of-pocket. We can take care of the insurance on every single ride. And that is great.” More exposure also gives Park City App a platform to become a positive avatar of Park City, Bretz said. “Something that I’m most proud of is that we’re building this tech company, which is still small, in the town where I live with my partner and the town where my two daughters were born,” he said. “So there’s also an element of responsibility to represent Park City in the best light. I mean, we have the town in our name — Park City App.” Bretz also feels the exposure will draw more people to his team. So far, Park City App drivers are stationed in Park City, Heber City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Lehi and Provo.  “We are always looking for drivers, and the more local Summit County drivers the better,” he said. “We’re at 25 drivers, and I hope we’re at a few hundred at this time next year.” Interested drivers can email [email protected] or text  917-575-1955. Bretz is open to all types of vehicles, but he is especially interested in those who have four-wheel drive. “I’m also looking for drivers who seasonally change their tires to real snow tires because the bottom line of the Park City App is to provide safe transportation with reliable cars with the right tires for the season,” he said. “So, one of our core propositions is that I’m willing to help those who don’t have the luxury of buying snow tires and find ways they can get them.” Bretz also promises to vet every Park City App driver. “When one of our drivers picks you up, it means that I’ve met them in person,” he said. “It means that I have inspected their vehicles with my own eyes and ran the background check so I would feel safe putting my own daughters in their car. And that’s one of the promises I make to the Park City community, who are my neighbors.” Since Bretz had been focusing his time and energy acquiring the TNC licence, he had to pull back on the Park City App’s other offerings, which included scheduling skiing instructors, childcare and grocery deliveries. “We are retracting a bit on those until we have enough resources to fully get back into those offerings,” he said. “And I want the community to know I am eternally grateful to everyone who has taken even just one ride with us. I also know there are some who haven’t taken rides but still recommend us. And for that, I’m very thankful.” For information about the Park City App, visit theparkcityapp.com. The post Park City App is going places appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less