2011 August

10 Back to School Safety Tips

Filed in Mom Aboard Tagged with Mom Aboard, Operation Lifesaver, Safety, TRAX August 31st, 2011 @ 11:00 am

With Utah’s schools back in session, it’s a great time to brush up on basic safety. UTA transit police have been monitoring crossings along the new TRAX lines near schools and are providing safety information to students on foot, but we need your help!

Here are 10 safety tips you should review with your student:

Plan a route. Make sure your student’s route to school or the bus stop is as direct as possible with as few street and rail crossings as possible.
Walk the route beforehand. Point out safety concerns and areas students should take special care.
Obey safety signals. Trains can come from either direction at any time and can be very quiet. Obey all signs and signals.
Cross only at dedicated crossings. Whether on foot, on a bike, skateboard, scooter or in a car, cross only at crossings marked by signs, signals or pavement markings.
Always look both ways before crossing a busy intersection or railroad track.
Stand away from trains. Pay attention to painted and/or raised markings near the edges of sidewalks and station platforms. Trains are wider than the tracks.
If you see a train coming, wait! Don’t be tempted to beat the train.
Never stop on railroad tracks.
Reduce distractions like cell phone use, headphones, etc. when moving around railroad crossings.
Make sure your child knows your phone number and address, along with how to dial 911 in an emergency.

There are lots of resources available to help you talk to your students, from activity pages to rail videos.

In addition, UTA offers Operation Lifesaver rail safety training to schools in areas along its rail corridors as well as to other organizations. To schedule a presentation, please contact Chad Saley at csaley@rideuta.com

Extra Service Offered for University of Utah Football Game

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, Football, FrontRunner, Salt Lake City, TRAX, University of Utah August 30th, 2011 @ 1:00 am

Extra Service for Univeristy of Utah Football Game

Large crowds are expected to attend the University of Utah versus Montana State football game this Thursday, Sept. 1. The game starts at 6 p.m.

To meet demand, we will be providing extra service beginning an hour and a half before kick-off. Riders are advised to plan ahead to ensure they arrive at the game on time.

TRAX
Starting an hour and a half prior to kick-off, six additional trains will be added into regular service. The additional trains will depart Fashion Place West Station (6400 South) at 4:18, 4:33, 4:48, 5:03, 5:18 and 5:33 p.m and travel directly to the University. These trains will have “University” displayed in the header.

All Red Line trains will travel on their regular schedule and run directly to the university. Blue Line trains will run on their regular schedule and will require a transfer anywhere between Fashion Place West and Courthouse (500 South) stations. Green Line trains will run on their regular schedule and will also require a transfer between Central Pointe (2100 South) and Courthouse stations. We recommend transferring prior to Courthouse Station to avoid overcrowding at that platform.

Post game, TRAX trains will provide direct service to Daybreak Parkway and Sandy Civic Center stations. Trains will be identified with “Daybreak” or “Sandy” in the header.

All TRAX trains will have extra cars both before and after the game to accommodate more riders.

FrontRunner
FrontRunner will operate on its regular schedule. The last northbound trip to Ogden departs Salt Lake Central Station at 11:17 p.m.

FrontRunner passengers traveling to the game may board any TRAX train leaving Salt Lake Central Station and transfer at Courthouse Station or take a direct shuttle bus to the stadium.

Bus
Four extra buses will operate a direct shuttle between Salt Lake Central and Stadium before and after the game. The buses will display “University Only” in the header.

The bus shuttle will begin service with the arrival of the 4:07 p.m. FrontRunner train and will continue shuttling for all trains arriving up to and including the 6:07 p.m. train (FrontRunner arrives in Salt Lake at 4:07, 4:37, 5:07 and 5:37 p.m.). The shuttle buses will also run for one hour following the conclusion of the game.

Prior to the game, customers coming from downtown or Salt Lake Central Station may also take any bus on routes 3, 220, or 228 to go to the stadium.

Travel Tips:
Try out the group pass—$13.50 for up to four riders to ride roundtrip during regular service hours. Good on TRAX, bus and FrontRunner.

UTA offers University of Utah football event passes valid for travel to and from the games on UTA buses and TRAX. The passes are only available at UTA Customer Service Outlets and at Courthouse, Library, Trolley and 900 East stations two hours prior to kick-off on game day. Future event passes may be purchased online prior to game day and will be delivered via mail.

Hires Big H

Filed in Trains of Thought August 26th, 2011 @ 12:31 pm

Take transit to a drive-in? You betcha! Hires Big H on 400 South, along with the Ft. Union and West Valley locations are all accessible by transit.

The original location on 400 South and 700 East opened in 1959 and with the drive-in’s vintage original feel, you might think not much has changed.

To be honest, not much has. Hires Big H Drive-in is still known for it’s Big H burger, fresh cut fries, homemade onion rings and frosty rootbeer.

Each location features a full drive-in/diner style menu with dozens of items starting at about $2. One of the most popular purchases at Hires is the Big H Combo, which runs $8.

All the famous burgers are served on a soft white sourdough bun, dusted with flour. Mmm. Good.

The Salt Lake City location at 425 South 700 East is accessible via the TRAX Red Line and bus route 228.

The Midvale location at 835 East Ft. Union is accessible via bus route 72.

The West Valley location at 2900 West 4700 South is accessible via bus route 47.

Highlights from North Temple Viaduct Opening

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, Mayor Ralph Becker, North Temple, Salt Lake City, TRAX August 22nd, 2011 @ 1:39 pm

North Temple Viaduct Reopening Highlight Video

Red Iguana

Filed in Urban Ticket Tagged with bus, North Temple, Red Iguana, Salt Lake City, Transit Roulette, Urban Ticket August 19th, 2011 @ 9:23 am

With the new North Temple Viaduct open, it’s time to look to local restaurant Red Iguana on Route 218.

The Red Iguana has won Reader’s Choice award as Best Mexican Restaurant from Salt Lake Magazine, its been featured on the Food Network’s Diners Drive-Ins and Dives and continues its reign as one of the best places to eat in Salt Lake City.

Even as the restaurant is expanding its business to other locations, Co-owner Bill Coker has remained committed to building up the community where it all began 40 years ago. “We are a part of this community,” Coker said, proudly displaying the community-developed button that reads, “Shop North Temple, I Do.” Coker and his wife Lucy Cardenas, daughter of the original owners, have been instrumental in the distribution of these buttons at their restaurant located at 736 West North Temple.

While some restaurant reviewers laud Red Iguana for its quality and authentic Mexican food, others have mentioned the quality and excellence of the family-owned restaurant’s staff, calling them a draw in and of themselves. Meals range $7-20.

In 2013, the Red Iguana will be accessible by the new Airport TRAX line that will run down North Temple.

North Temple Viaduct to Reopen

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with Airport, North Temple, Salt Lake City, TRAX August 15th, 2011 @ 2:43 pm

Just weeks after opening two new rail lines, UTA will join with Salt Lake City in celebrating a major construction milestone on the Airport TRAX line. This Wednesday, August 17 at 10 a.m., the North Temple viaduct will reopen to automobiles and pedestrians.

The viaduct was closed in April 2010 in order to build a bridge that could accommodate the Airport TRAX line currently under construction. It is opening several months ahead of schedule. The new bridge was constructed using Geofoam – a Styrofoam-like foundation material – and features roadway improvements, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, security lighting and a passenger transfer station for riders looking to transfer from TRAX to FrontRunner.

This viaduct is a vital link between downtown and western Salt Lake City and the airport. It is 1480 feet long and 122 feet wide (about 275 feet shorter than the old viaduct) and will connect to the downtown area at 400 West, as opposed to 300 West.

The Airport TRAX extension is a six-mile light rail extension featuring six stations, projected to be completed and open for service in late 2013.

Bruges Waffles and Frites

Filed in Urban Ticket Tagged with Bruges Waffles and Frites, bus, Salt Lake City, Transit Roulette, TRAX, Urban Ticket August 12th, 2011 @ 1:14 pm

Bruges Waffles and Frites (336 West 300 South) may be the smallest eatery in Salt Lake City, but it’s a crowd favorite. Fans of the delicious Belgian food travel by foot, bike, bus and rail to get to the accessible downtown location across from Pioneer Park.

The restaurant actually started out in Pioneer Park as a cart run during the Farmer’s Market by owner Pierre and has been featured on several different shows including the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food.

The menu at Bruges may seem somewhat brief, but the number of waffle toppings is only limited by season. Items on the menu run $5 to $10.

The waffles truly are divine. They have just the right sweet crunch on the outside, while remaining perfectly light and fluffy. Patrons have a choice between the traditional vanilla flavored waffle and a cinnamon waffle.

The fresh fries are made to order and even a small is quite large. The fries come with the choice of dipping sauce: mayonnaise, Aioli, Greens, Lemon Pepper Dill, Zensation, Brasil, Fry Sauce, Curry, Andalouse and Samurai.

Another popular item is the Machine Gun Sandwich – a lamb sausage sandwich, smothered with fries and sauce.

Direct Buses to the University of Utah

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with 2 to the U, bus, Change Day, Salt Lake Central, TRAX, University of Utah August 10th, 2011 @ 12:07 pm

The addition of two new rail lines has brought many changes to UTA’s system. Though thousands of bus riders are used to the regular change days held each year, this is the first big change for the agency’s rail riders. Few local riders are used to making a transfer on rail and it’s been a difficult adjustment for some.

Operationally, UTA is limited in the number of trains running in a specific area. To determine the new configuration, UTA developed it’s direct trips based on ridership, in order to efficiently carry passenger loads and create the smallest number of transfers.

One group affected by the changes, were those used to taking a direct train from Salt Lake Central to the University. Today, those riders can depart Salt Lake Central by train every five to 10 minutes, however their trip will require a transfer to the Red Line at Courthouse. For those departing on the Blue Line the transfer time is three minutes, while the transfer time for those who depart on the Green Line is every 13 minutes.

A more efficient option (even prior to the change) for those traveling from Salt Lake Central to the University is to travel by bus. There are four bus routes that travel directly to the University.

The 2 to the U departs Salt Lake Central Station every 15 minutes (:12, :27, :42, :57). The bus makes a stop at President’s Circle, North Campus Drive and University Medical Center. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

Route 3 departs Salt Lake Central Station every 30 minutes (:12, :42). The bus makes stops at President’s Circle, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Marriott Library and Reasearch Park. The trip takes about 25 min.

Route 220 departs Salt Lake Central Station every 15 minutes during peak (:00, :15, :30, :45) and every 30 minutes midday (:00, :30). The bus makes stops at President’s Circle and Rice Eccles Stadium. The trip takes about 15 minutes.

Route 228 departs Salt Lake Central Station every 30 minutes during peak (:10, :40) and hourly midday (:10). The bus makes stops at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Marriott Library, Huntsman Center, LDS Institute, Madsen Health Center and Research Park. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

TonyBurgers

Filed in Urban Ticket Tagged with bus, Dining, Salt Lake City, Tonyburgers, TRAX, Urban Ticket August 5th, 2011 @ 1:00 am

Served by both bus and TRAX, Tonyburgers, is a great casual dining option. Fresh ingredients and a whole lot of handmade love have made Tonyburgers one of Salt Lake City’s stand out burger joints.

The focused menu showcases the location’s tasty burgers, fries and fresh salads. Burgers start at about $4 and increase in price. Fries start at $1.89. Combo meals are available for just under $8, though shakes are a bit pricey at more than $4.

Tonyburgers uses a blend of three types of beef to make their hand-formed patties that come in 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 lb. sizes. A couple of the people in our group are convinced these patties are the best in Salt Lake.

Tip: Tonyburgers is active on social media and uses Facebook to advertise and promote deals. Right now, check into Tonyburgers on Facebook places and receive a 50 percent discount on one menu item.

Mid-Jordan and West Valley Operator’s View

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with Mid-Jordan, TRAX, West Valley August 1st, 2011 @ 1:00 am

Ever wondered what it looks like from the cab of a TRAX train? Check out these time-lapse videos of the Mid-Jordan and West Valley lines from an operator’s point of view.

The Mid-Jordan video was shot from the Daybreak Parkway Station to Midvale.
*Note: The audio is included in this file, and it’s a bit loud. You might want to turn it down.

The West Valley video was shot from West Valley City Center to South Salt Lake.

Excited? So are we. Come and join us for the free public ride day this Wednesday, August 3. Rides will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until approximately 11 p.m.

The agency has partnered with the Utah Food Bank by doing a “Food as Your Fare” food drive. Riders boarding at one of the new stations are invited to contribute a canned food item as their fare.

The lines formally open for service on August 7.