“UTA has always supported the bicycling community,” UTA General Manager Mike Allegra said. “From bike racks on the buses, and bikes allowed on the trains to this new facility. We want to promote bicycle use as an alternative form of transportation.”   

Do it yourself bike repair.

Prior to the grand opening more than 200 bicyclists met with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker to ride on the city’s newest designated bike lanes along Main Street to the BTC. After a brief program the attendees toured the facility and enjoyed food and music. The BTC offers bicyclists secure indoor bike storage, self-serve bicycle repair facilities, and a shower in addition to the amenities of a regular bike shop. The BTC, operated by Canyon Sports, was made possible thanks to the efforts of UTA, Salt Lake City, UDOT, Wasatch Front Regional Council, the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. The BTC promotes bicycling to improve public health, protect the environment and provide better transportation choices.  

The BTC is located at 250 South 600 West next to Salt Lake Central Station. The bike shop is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays. For personal bike storage and repair members may access the center seven days a week from 5 a.m. to midnight. Membership is $96 annually plus a $20 activation fee. Monthly rental is $12 and daily $2. Along with bike storage and repair, members have access to a shower. 

Bikes storage racks at BTC.

UTA General Manager Mike Allegra presents three million mile award winners to the UTA board of trustees. Left to right: Lamar Udy, Charles Ackerson, Art LeFevre, Warren Miller (at mic), Mike Allegra, Randy Cordova, Art Bowen (Ogden regional general manager) and Jimmy Coy.

Eight UTA bus operators were recently recognized with the agency’s prestigious Three Million Mile Safe Driving Award.

The award is given to UTA bus operators who have driven three million miles without an avoidable accident. Each operator received a bonus, an award plaque and a “three million mile” patch for his bus uniforms.

Prior to this summer, only one UTA operator had achieved this honor.

UTA’s three million milers:

• Charles Ackerson (Salt Lake) has been safely driving for thirty-six years in the Salt Lake area. He believes exercising patience has been the major contributor to his outstanding safety record.

• Randy Cordova (Ogden) started with UTA in July 1976.  Randy says, “Once you learn how to drive a bus, everything else in life is a piece of cake.” He claims he can drive a bus better than his own car.

• Jimmy Coy (Ogden) started at UTA in April 1977. In a recent customer service commendation, one passenger said of Jimmy, “He just makes my mornings…UTA has a great employee in Jimmy.”

• Arthur LeFevre (Salt Lake) has driven thirty-six accident-free years for UTA.  Art credits his ability to anticipate the actions of other drivers as the chief contributor to his outstanding safety record.

• Warren Miller (Provo-Orem) started at UTA in June 1976. He is the first Utah County operator to receive the award. Warren’s safe driving secret: “It’s taking one mile at a time and 90% luck!”

• Craig Pingree (Ogden) started driving for UTA in the Ogden area in June 1976. He says he feels fortunate to work at a company that recognizes his hard work and achievements.

• Kim Sauer (Ogden) started for UTA in January 1976.  He has operated both buses and TRAX, and has always remained focused on operating his equipment above the required safety standard.

• Lamar Udy (Salt Lake) began as a bus operator in September 1976. Lamar says the most important defensive driving technique is to stay focused and block out distractions inside and outside of the bus.

Congratulations to our Three Million Mile Award winners!

News Links:
Four Ogden-area UTA bus drivers honored for driving safely for 3 million miles
Mapleton UTA driver logs three million miles without a scratch