With the inversion season upon us, UTA is doing its part to help clear the air with new hybrid buses.
Route 830 (Provo/Orem Shuttle) is one of UTA’s busiest routes. It provides 15-minute service connecting Provo Towne Centre Mall, BYU, University Mall and UVU and carries nearly 4,000 passengers every weekday.
Beginning in December, UTA put eight brand-new hybrid diesel-electric buses on route 830. These new buses are not only more fuel efficient—consuming 25 percent less fuel than a regular bus—they are also very environmentally friendly. The new buses have the latest filtering technology that makes them extremely clean, with emissions comparable to the average passenger vehicle on the road today. A hybrid bus carrying two people cuts the emissions in half compared to what would be produced if those same two people traveled in two cars. The average trip on route 830 carries 34 people, so the new buses are making an important contribution toward maintaining the quality of the air in Utah County.
Public transportation is an important contributor to protecting our environment. UTA riders prevent over 33,000 metric tons of CO2 from entering the air every year.
Even if you don’t ride the bus you can do your part to help the environment. In addition to riding public transit, you can carpool, bicycle and walk instead of taking a car. It also helps to reduce unnecessary idling. Turn off your car while waiting in a drive-through or to pick someone up. You can also help by reducing the number of trips you take. For example, instead of going to the grocery store two or three times a week, plan out your menus and buy everything you need with one trip.
UTA will be making minor service changes to a number of routes, including the north/south TRAX line, Sunday, Dec. 12. In addition, the agency will begin its ski bus service.
The route changes result from the agency’s bi-annual review of service. Route changes are made to improve efficiencies within the system, while maintaining the system’s full compliment of services.
Riders on many of the affected routes were notified of changes beginning Nov. 3.
For a detailed list of changes, please visit UTA’s change day page.
Multiple bus routes run in the downtown area on 200 South. Chances are you can catch a bus in as little as five or 10 minutes on the weekdays, every half hour to hour on the weekends.
There are numerous dining options available on 200 South, including a variety of ethnic options like Siegfried’s Delicatessen, Cedar’s of Lebanon, and the Hong Kong Tea House.
One of the excellent home grown options is Este Pizza, located at 156 East 200 South.
The pizzaria serves a variety of appetizers and specialty pizza options for a reasonable price – full pizza’s start at $13.
The lunchtime crowd quickly fills up this small, but vibrant space during the work week so arrive early if you don’t want to wait.
Thousands will converge on the South Town Expo Center (9575 South State Street, Sandy) in the coming days to experience Primary Children’s annual Festival of Trees. This year, avoid parking congestion by riding TRAX to the 9400 South Station.
The event runs Dec. 1-4 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
This year, attendees can experience more than 800 trees in every size, shape, color and theme.
This year’s favorites include a large display of sports memorabilia:
There are a variety of Toy Story themed trees:
And a pretty incredible Cookie Monster tree:
The Festival is not limited to trees. Patrons are encouraged to enjoy the aisles of wreaths:
A gift shop:
And so much more!
For 40 years the Festival has raised funds to benefit the children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Last year, the event raised $1.5 million. Help support this great cause…
Best transit route: Take TRAX to the 9400 South Station – a great opportunity to take advantage of UTA’s group fare.
Cost: At $5 for adults and $3 for children, this is an affordable event. Go tonight (Wednesday) and take advantage of the $15 family rate!
Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Other: Stroller friendly; lots of restrooms; reasonably priced gift shop; snacks and drinks available.
