How UTA Determines Holiday Service Schedules

Filed in Featured, Urban Ticket Tagged with , , November 20th, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
Holiday Service

We’ve heard from many riders who have questions about how UTA sets its schedule on and around holidays.

If money and stewardship were no object, UTA would run service every day of the year and likely would have continued to operate low-ridership late night service as we did for many years. Unfortunately, in the last few years the agency has been hit hard by the affects of the recession. This has required the agency to make some difficult decisions about where to allocate funding for operations.

When budgetary constraints have demanded a cut in service, UTA has based its decisions on which of the available options would have the least impact on our riders. We have found that we can affect the fewest number of people by focusing first on service when ridership is low, in off peak hours and on days where the system typically carries fewer people. Holidays and holiday weekends tend to have much lower commuter/student traffic (the bulk of our ridership) than regular weekdays.

Let’s take TRAX for example. On a typical Friday in November 2010, TRAX carried approximately 3,000 riders between 7-8 a.m. On Black Friday of that same year, TRAX carried less than one-third the regular Friday average – about 850 riders. Ridership increased in 2011, but the numbers show a similar pattern. On an average Friday in November 2011, TRAX carried just over 4,000 passengers from 7-8 a.m. While on Black Friday during the same time period, it carried less than a fourth that number.

Historically, ridership has picked up after 10 a.m. Last year, 1,897 people boarded between 10-11 a.m. Certainly not the type of numbers you’d see during peak commute hours, but it ends up being about 71% of normal Friday ridership at that particular time point. The busiest travel hours on Black Friday have traditionally occurred after 5 p.m.

Even with a University of Utah football game in the afternoon and all of the lights on ceremonies last year, we carried fewer total riders than we did on typical Friday in November.

For a more complete analysis, review the 2010 and 2011 TRAX ridership data.

To meet the 2012 budget, but also accommodate the largest number of riders UTA planned its Black Friday service accordingly. This year, as part of the Thanksgiving weekend, the service has been adjusted. Service on TRAX begins at about 9 a.m. and extends well into the evening with trains running until after 10 p.m.

Bus and FrontRunner perform similarly on the holiday weekend.

We understand that this adjustment will impact some of our regular riders. However, this decision allows us to maintain more regular service throughout the rest of the year.

2012 Holiday Schedule

  • Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) Ski service only on Bus. No TRAX or FrontRunner service.
  • Day After Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) Sunday schedule service on Bus. Extended Saturday service on TRAX. Saturday schedule on FrontRunner.
  • Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) Regular schedule service on Bus, TRAX and FrontRunner.
  • Christmas (Dec. 25) Ski service only on Bus. No TRAX or FrontRunner service.
  • New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) Regular weekday service on Bus, TRAX and FrontRunner.
  • New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) Ski service only on Bus. No TRAX or FrontRunner service.

Thanksgiving Holiday Service

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with , , November 20th, 2012 @ 11:23 am
Thanksgiving Transit Service

In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no TRAX and FrontRunner service on Thursday, Nov. 22. Bus service will be limited to ski routes servicing Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and Park City.

On Black Friday (Nov. 23), all services will be running on an altered schedule.

Bus service will be running on a Sunday schedule. Riders are advised to check bus schedules, as not all routes run on Sundays.

TRAX will be running on a Sunday schedule with additional service in the morning and evening.

  • Green Line. The first full northbound trip on the Green Line from West Valley Central Station is 9:21 a.m. The last full northbound trip will depart West Valley Central Station at 10:41 p.m. The first full southbound trip on the Green Line from Salt Lake Central Station will depart at 9:22 a.m. The last full southbound trip will depart Salt Lake Central Station at 11:22 p.m.
  • Blue Line. The first full northbound trip on the Blue Line from Sandy Civic Center Station is 10:03 a.m. The last full northbound trip will depart Sandy Civic Center Station at 10:43 p.m. The first full southbound trip on the Blue Line from Salt Lake Central Station is 10:12 a.m. The last full southbound trip from Salt Lake Central Station will depart at 10:52 p.m.
  • Red Line. The first full northbound trip from Daybreak Parkway Station is 10:16 a.m. The last full northbound trip from Daybreak Parkway Station is 10:16 p.m. The first full southbound trip from Medical Center Station is 10:01 a.m. The last full southbound trip from Medical Center Station is 10:01 p.m.

For more information, please view the full schedule of TRAX station arrivals and departures for Nov. 23.

FrontRunner will be running on a Saturday schedule.

North Temple Apollo Burger

Filed in Featured, Urban Ticket Tagged with , , , November 16th, 2012 @ 12:27 am
Apollo

With the end of Airport Line rail construction on North Temple, the area is more accessible than ever before. It’s home to several local restaurants like the newest Apollo Burger located at 143 North Redwood Rd. Though the TRAX line will not be open to the public for another six months, the location is currently served by Route 218.

The new North Temple location features a digital menu board and updated dining room.

Apollo Burger Salt Lake City

North Temple Apollo Burger

Apollo is a Utah favorite and it’s burgers frequently win “best burger awards.”

apollo burger

A favorite is the actual “Apollo burger,” a sandwich topped with pastrami.

And you can’t miss the fries, accompanied by Utah’s own unique fry sauce.

North Temple Apollo burgerA combo meal with a cheeseburger, fries and a drink runs about $8.

What’s your favorite local burger joint?

Airport TRAX Line Achieves Major Milestone

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with , , , , , November 15th, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
Airport TRAX Nov 15 2012 - 010

Major construction on the Airport TRAX line is complete. It marks the end of three years of construction on the line that has changed the face of North Temple, the primary gateway to Salt Lake City from the west. The line, which connects the Salt Lake International Airport to downtown Salt Lake City, is scheduled to open on April 14, 2013.

To celebrate UTA, Salt Lake City and local businesses and residents came together to “toss” the remaining cones off of North Temple.

The end of major construction also coincides with the beginning of testing trains on the line. Testing will take place on the line Monday through Thursday from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of the year. More intensive testing will resume at the first of the year.

The Airport TRAX line is part of UTA’s FrontLines 2015 project that also included the West Valley and Mid-Jordan TRAX lines that opened last year; FrontRunner South, which opens Dec. 10; and the Draper TRAX extension, scheduled to open next summer. The line to the airport has been greatly anticipated by many and will provide a quick and efficient way for both visitors and residents of the state to travel to and from the airport in addition to helping thousands of employees at the airport and businesses located along the line get to and from work every day.

University of Utah vs. Arizona Football Service

Filed in Featured, Urban Ticket November 14th, 2012 @ 4:14 pm
Unviersity of Utah

Large crowds are expected to be utilizing the system Saturday, Nov. 17, as football fans travel to attend the University of Utah vs. Arizona football game. The game starts at 8 p.m. To meet demand, UTA will provide extra pre and post game service.

TRAX Service

Starting about two hours prior to kick-off, additional event trains will be added into regular service. The trains will depart Fashion Place Station (6400 South) and travel directly to Stadium Station. The event trains will have “University” displayed in the header. Trains will depart for Stadium every 10 minutes from 5:58 to 7:38 p.m.

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 passengers will need to transfer to a Red Line or event train between Fashion Place West and Courthouse (500 South) stations. Green Line trains will also run on their regular schedule and will require a transfer between Central Pointe (2100 South) and Courthouse stations. We recommend transferring prior to Courthouse Station to avoid overcrowding on 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. The football game is expected to break following the close of regularly scheduled service. Riders are encouraged to make their way to the platform directly following the end of the game. The last train to depart Stadium will leave 45 minutes after the end of the game.

Bus Service

Extra buses will operate between Salt Lake Central and Stadium Station before and after the game – the buses will follow route 2 to 1100 East and then deviate to 400 South University Street to serve Rice Eccles Stadium. The buses will depart from the north end of Salt Lake Central Station.

The extra buses will also run for one hour following the game.

FrontRunner

FrontRunner will operate on its regular schedule, with one additional train departing the station after the close of regular service. The last northbound trip to Ogden will depart Salt Lake Central Station 90 minutes after the end of the game.

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.

Paying Your Fare

For customers looking to purchase their transit tickets in advance, transit wristbands are for sale online. The wristbands are $4.70 round-trip. In addition, wristbands will be sold three hours prior to the game at Library, Trolley and the 900 East. TRAX stations and then again after the game at Stadium Station.

Passengers may also choose to purchase one-way or round-trip fares at any of the TRAX stations, or when they board the bus. Round-trip TRAX tickets will be accepted on Route 2 for two hours before and after the game.

Another option is the group pass – $14 for up to four riders round-trip during regular service hours. The group pass is good on TRAX, bus and FrontRunner.

Travel Tips

  • Purchase your fare in advance.
  • Before you cross railroad tracks or enter a TRAX or FrontRunner platform:
    • always watch for trains—look both ways
    • take off your head phones
    • put  your cell phone down—no texting or phone calls
    • hop off your bike or skateboard
    • hold smaller children’s hands
    • walk across the tracks or onto the platform when it is safe
    • never cross between train cars—always walk around to a designated safe crossing
  • Always stand away from the yellow tactile strip when trains approach the platform.
  • Never walk or play on tracks or the rail corridor; even for short cuts.  It could be deadly and is trespassing, punishable by a $100 or greater fine.
  • Never go around a lowered gate or try to outrun a train.  Just wait for the train to pass, the gates to lift and lights to stop before crossing the track.
  • Never throw things at the train or place things on the track; you could get hurt or even derail the train.

Be-Leaf it or Not, Fall Weather Affects Light Rail

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with , , November 5th, 2012 @ 2:14 pm
Fall Leaves Affect Light Rail Service

Extreme temperatures and crazy weather fluctuations come with living in Utah. Take for instance the snow we had two weeks ago, followed by the warmest Halloween on record. Though these conditions are not unique and we do our best to be prepared for changing weather conditions, they can have a negative impact on equipment and service.

Fall and early winter tend to be a particularly tricky time for operators due to slippery rail conditions. Though wet, cold rails can be a problem, it’s actually autumn leaves that cause the most concern.

Fallen leaves become moist in the cold overnight air and tend to cling to the top surface of the rails on our track. Then the action of the passing wheels compresses them even further. The condition results in a significant reduction in the friction between train wheels and rails. The lack of traction can result in delayed acceleration and braking.

The leaf mulch can also affect the operation of the signalling system which monitors the movement of trains.

To combat the problem, UTA sends out rail cleaners – much like a city street sweeping machine – to help clear the rail for safe passage.

We always take our riders safety seriously and as a precautionary measure, it’s not uncommon for operators to be more cautious when handling the train – acceleration may be reduced to prevent the wheels from slipping, and braking distances might be extended. These minor adjustments can cause relatively noteworthy delays in the system.

UTA encourages the public to exercise additional safety precautions when moving about near it’s rail.

Here are a few safety tips:

  • Look twice
  • Stand behind the yellow lines on the platform
  • Never go around lowered gates
  • When you approach a rail crossing, be sure to stop as soon as the lights start flashing even if the gates aren’t down yet
  • If you are in a crossing when the lights start flashing, continue on to clear the intersection
  • Before proceeding into a crossing, wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
  • In a lane shared with TRAX (like shared left-hand turn lanes in Salt Lake City), do not enter the lane if the train warning light is on

Ride safe!

University of Utah vs. Washington State Football

Filed in Featured, Urban Ticket Tagged with , , November 2nd, 2012 @ 11:02 am
University of Utah

Large crowds are expected to utilize the system Saturday, Nov. 3, for the University of Utah vs. Washington State football game. The game starts at 1 p.m. UTA will run extra service to meet the demand.

TRAX Service

Starting about two hours prior to kick-off, additional event trains will be added into regular service. The trains will depart Fashion Place Station (6400 So.) and travel to Stadium Station.

The additional service will result in trains departing from Fashion Place Station every 10 min from 10:58 a.m.12:38 p.m.

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 passengers will need to transfer to a Red Line or event train between Fashion Place West and Courthouse (500 South) stations. Green Line trains will also run on their regular schedule and will require a transfer between Central Pointe (2100 South) and Courthouse stations. We recommend transferring prior to Courthouse Station to avoid overcrowding on 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.

FrontRunner

FrontRunner will operate on its regular schedule. 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 Service

Extra buses will operate between Salt Lake Central and Stadium Station before and after the game – the buses will follow route 2 to 1100 East and then deviate to 400 South University Street to serve Rice Eccles Stadium. The buses will depart from the north end of Salt Lake Central Station and will meet the 11:07 a.m. and 12:07 p.m. FrontRunner arrivals.

The extra buses will also run for one hour following the game.

Paying Your Fare

For customers looking to purchase wristbands are $4.70 round-trip. In addition, wristbands will be sold three hours prior to the game at Library, Trolley and the 900 East. TRAX stations and then again after the game at Stadium Station.

Passengers may also choose to purchase one-way or round-trip fares at any of the TRAX stations, or when they board the bus. Round-trip TRAX tickets will be accepted on Route 2 for two hours before and after the game.

Another option is the group pass – $14 for up to four riders round-trip during regular service hours. The group pass is good on TRAX, bus and FrontRunner.

Travel Tips

  • Purchase your fare in advance.
  • Before you cross railroad tracks or enter a TRAX or FrontRunner platform:
    • always watch for trains—look both ways
    • take off your head phones
    • put  your cell phone down—no texting or phone calls
    • hop off your bike or skateboard
    • hold smaller children’s hands
    • walk across the tracks or onto the platform when it is safe
    • never cross between train cars—always walk around to a designated safe crossing
  • Always stand away from the yellow tactile strip when trains approach the platform.
  • Never walk or play on tracks or the rail corridor; even for short cuts.  It could be deadly and is trespassing, punishable by a $100 or greater fine.
  • Never go around a lowered gate or try to outrun a train.  Just wait for the train to pass, the gates to lift and lights to stop before crossing the track.
  • Never throw things at the train or place things on the track; you could get hurt or even derail the train.



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