UTA Breaks Ground on Sugar House Streetcar Project

16 comments Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with LaHood, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake City, SugarHouse, Tiger Grant May 8th, 2012 @ 1:12 pm

Last fall, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood visited Salt Lake City to formally announce a $26M Tiger II grant for use on the Sugar House Streetcar Project. Tomorrow, May 9, he will join Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood, UTA Chairman Greg Hughes and UTA General Manager Michael Allegra at a groundbreaking event for the project at 2 p.m. at 2235 S. Main Street, in South Salt Lake City.

The Sugar House streetcar is a two-mile modern streetcar line that will run from the 2100 South TRAX Station to the Sugar House commercial district near Highland Drive at approximately 2235 South.

The line will include seven stations located at Central Pointe TRAX, State Street, 300 East, 500 East, 700 East, 900 East, and McClelland Street (1045 East).

Ridership is projected at 3,000 average weekday boardings. Upon completion, it will connect to more than 130 miles of rail service across the Wasatch Front.

For more information on the project, please visit our Sugar House website or sign up for our weekly construction updates.

Three TRAX Stations Closed in May

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with Airport, Old Creek Town, Planetarium, Salt Lake Central, Salt Lake City, TRAX May 1st, 2012 @ 2:01 pm

Planetarium, Old Greek Town and Salt Lake Central TRAX stations will be closed to service Saturday, May 5 through Wednesday, May 23. The closure is necessary to complete the construction that will connect the new Airport TRAX line at the intersection of 400 West and South Temple (just west of Arena Station) with the rest of the system.

Downtown Temporary Shuttle System

For the duration of the closure, TRAX trains will travel no further west than Arena station. However, FrontRunner trains and UTA buses that currently make connections at Salt Lake Central Station will continue to do so. UTA will operate a bus shuttle to convey passengers to and from Salt Lake Central Station and the central business district.

The bus shuttle will operate on 15-minute frequency Monday through Saturday from 5:25 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and 30-minute frequency on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.

The shuttle route will go north from 600 West 300 South at Salt Lake Central Station then east on 200 South to 300 West. At 300 West, it will turn north to North Temple, then east to West Temple, and complete its loop back to 300 West on South Temple. From there it will return to Salt Lake Central Station via 300 West, 200 South and 600 West.

Downtown Traffic Restrictions

The closure will also affect car travel on 400 West and South Temple. Northbound vehicles will be detoured at 100 South to 300 West. Southbound traffic will still be able to travel through the affected area.

Salt Lake Marathon Service

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Marathon, TRAX April 17th, 2012 @ 11:32 am

In just a few days, thousands of runners will line up at the University of Utah for the annual Salt Lake City Marathon. The race, which runs along the eastern edge of Salt Lake to Cottonwood Heights and then back to downtown Salt Lake will have a significant impact on service.

Extra Trains

UTA will be running extra event trains that will depart Central Point (2100 South) at 3:56 a.m., 4:16 a.m., 4:36 a.m. and 4:56 a.m. The trains will travel to Salt Lake Central, where they will pick up additional racers and depart for Medical Center at 4:27 a.m., 4:47 a.m., 5:07 a.m. and 5:27 a.m. Three additional event trains will depart Central Point for Medical Center at 4:06 a.m., 4:26 a.m. and 4:46 a.m.

Red Line

The Red Line will run regularly scheduled Saturday service from Daybreak. The first northbound train departs at 5:56 a.m. From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. trains will run to Salt Lake Central as opposed to Medical Center. Individuals looking to travel east, will exit the train at Courthouse Station and walk to Library Station where they will be able to catch a train east to the University of Utah.

Blue and Green Lines

The Blue and Green lines will run regular Saturday service schedules. The first Blue Line train will depart Sandy Civic Station at 5:56 a.m. The first Green Line Train will depart West Valley Central Station at 5:21 a.m.

Bus Service

Over a dozen bus routes will be on detour or on hiatus during the race. Bus riders should be advised of the changes and plan accordingly.

April Change Day Information

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, Change Day, Davis County, Salt Lake County, Utah County, Weber Councy April 11th, 2012 @ 1:00 am

Our April Change Day is quickly approaching and though we anticipate only a few minor changes to the system this spring, we encourage bus riders all along the Wasatch Front to double check their route information.

Most of the changes being made are to improve system reliability, ensure trip efficiency or to adjust seasonal routing.

The changes will go into affect on Sunday, April 15.

For more information about the changes, please see our April 2012 Change Day flier.

UTA Invites the Public to Participate in 2012 Scoping Process

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with FrontRunner South, Public Hearing, Scoping, Utah County April 9th, 2012 @ 1:45 pm

Public Invited to Participate in Scoping Process

UTA is preparing to open the FrontRunner South commuter rail line that will offer high-capacity mass transit service between Provo and Salt Lake. When the line opens in December 2012, it will increase transit service to Salt Lake and Utah Counties and necessitate some changes to some existing bus routes.

Prior to creating any service proposals, UTA would like to gather public input on the transit system and how resources should be allocated. Riders are invited to complete an online survey, attend a scoping meeting and provide comment. Public feedback will guide UTA on how to allocate limited resources and provide the best mix of bus and rail service.

Please click here to take the online survey.

If you would like to speak with UTA representatives in person, attend a public scoping meeting.

Saratoga Springs/Eagle Mountain
Saratoga Springs City Offices
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
1307 North Commerce Drive, Saratoga Springs

American Fork
American Fork Senior Center
Thursday, April 12, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
54 East Main Street, American Fork

Spanish Fork
Spanish Fork City Hall
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
40 South Main Street, Spanish Fork

Orem
Orem City Offices
Thursday, April 19, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
56 North State Street, Orem

Provo
Utah County Administration Building
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
100 East Center Street, Provo

To assure full participation at the open house, accommodations for effective communication, such as sign language interpreters or printed materials in alternate formats, or a language interpreter for non-English speaking participants must be requested at least five (5) working days prior to the date of the scheduled event. Requests for ADA accommodations should be directed to UTA ADA Compliance Officer at 801-287-3536 or for deaf/hearing impaired person, dial 711 to make a relay call. To request a language interpreter, please contact Title VI Compliance Officer at (801) 287-8871.

UTA Board Approves Airport and Draper Station Names

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with Airport, Draper, TRAX April 2nd, 2012 @ 1:00 am

Board Announces Airport and Draper Station Names

The last two projects in the FrontLines 2015 expansion program – Airport and Draper – are expected to open in 2013. After extensive consultation with the cities involved, the UTA Board of Trustees has selected names for the nine new stations slated to open.

Draper TRAX Line

11400 South (361 East 11400 South) Crescent View Station
11800 South (11796 South 700 East) Kimballs Lane Station
12300 South (1131 E. Pioneer Road) Draper Town Center

Airport TRAX Line

Viaduct (409 W. North Temple) North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe Station
800 West (820 W. North Temple) Jackson/Euclid Station
1100 West (1150 W. North Temple) Fairpark Station
1500 West (1480 W North Temple) Power Station
1950 West (1940 W. North Temple) no secondary name
Airport (700 N. Terminal Drive) Airport Station

UTA station names typically include an address and a secondary name. The names are selected based on historical significance and assistance in way finding.

UTA Board Passes Fines for Distracted Behavior

Filed in Trains of Thought Tagged with Distracted Behavior, Safety March 28th, 2012 @ 3:54 pm

In light of recent safety issues, the UTA Board of Trustees today passed an ordinance to ban distracted behavior when crossing the track. The ordinance language is broad, but seeks to restrict things like texting, talking on the phone, listening to music with headphones, reading, rushing to get through moving gates or traveling in track grades. The violations are considered civil, not criminal.

The distracted behavior fines are a Class III violation. The first violation of this type would result in a fine of $50, repeat offenses will cost $100. On a first offense, violators will be offered the option of taking a $25 rail safety course. Fines for rushing through moving gates and traveling in the alignment are higher – a Class V – at $300 for a first offense and $500 for every violation thereafter.

The measure is not meant to be punitive, but educational, allowing transit officers greater opportunity to teach safe behavior and prevent future incidents.

For the full definitions, text from the policy passed follows.

Prohibition on Crossing a Railroad Grade Crossing While Distracted.

i. Definitions applicable to this subsection.

a. “Handheld Wireless Communication Device” has the same meaning as

defined in Section 41a-6a-1716 (1)(a)(i)and(ii).

b. “Text messaging” has the same meaning as defined in section 41-6a-

1716.

ii. No pedestrian shall be distracted while crossing a Railroad Grade

Crossing. Examples behaviors displayed by a distracted pedestrian may include,

without limitation:

a. using a Handheld Wireless Communication Device or other electronic

device while crossing a Railroad Grade Crossing;

b. listening to a Handheld Wireless Communication Device or other

electronic device with headphones or earbuds unless at least one ear is

16

unencumbered by a headphone or earbud, while crossing a Railroad

Grade Crossing;

c. using a Handheld Wireless Communication Device for text messaging

or electronic mail communication while crossing a Railroad Grade

Crossing;

d. attending to personal hygiene or grooming while crossing a Railroad

Grade Crossing; or

e. reviewing reading materials, such as magazines or newspapers while

crossing a Railroad Grade Crossing.

LDS General Conference Service Information

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, LDS General Conference, Salt Lake City, Service, TRAX March 28th, 2012 @ 1:00 am

Large crowds are expected in the downtown area this weekend (March 31 & April 1) for the semi-annual conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Riders are advised to plan ahead to ensure that they arrive at their destination on time.

Saturday, March 31

Extra TRAX trains will run before each session of LDS semi-annual general conference. The extra Blue Line trains will leave Sandy Civic Center for downtown at 8:18 a.m., 8:38 a.m., 8:58 a.m., 9:18 a.m., 12:38 p.m., 12:58 p.m. 4:40 p.m. and 4:58 p.m. Immediately following each session two extra Blue Line trains will be in service to Sandy.

All other trains will travel on their regular schedule. Trains depart every 20 minutes. Red Line trains run directly to the University. Passengers interested in traveling downtown will need to transfer to a Blue or Green line train anywhere between Fashion Place West and Courthouse stations. We recommend transferring prior to Courthouse Station to avoid overcrowding at that platform.

FrontRunner will provide regular Saturday service, with departures every 60 minutes. Trains leave Ogden at 16 minutes after the hour. Upon arrival passengers may choose to use TRAX, which will depart Salt Lake Central Station every 10 minutes. For passengers traveling north after each session, FrontRunner departs the station every 60 minutes at 57 minutes after the hour. The last northbound train departs Salt Lake Central Station at 11:16 p.m.

Buses will operate on their regular Saturday schedule.

Sunday, April 1

*Reminder TRAX fares increase 10 cents on April 1. Full fare will be $2.35

Early morning TRAX trains will run every 20 minutes from Daybreak (Red Line) beginning at 7:36 a.m., from Sandy Civic Center (Blue Line) beginning at 7:43 a.m. and from West Valley Central (Green Line) beginning at 7:40 a.m. Travelers using the Red Line will need to transfer prior to Court House to travel to Temple Square.

Extra Blue line trains will leave Sandy Civic Center for downtown at 8:18 a.m., 8:38 a.m., 12:38 p.m., and 12:58 p.m. There will be at least two extra trains departing Downtown to Sandy Civic Center following each session.

There will be no FrontRunner service on Sunday.

Buses will operate a regular Sunday schedule, however riders should be aware of the following detours that will be in place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Southbound Route 200 will travel east on 200 South to 200 East, north to South Temple, west to State Street and then south via its regular routing
Northbound Route 200 will travel north on State Street to South Temple, east to 200 East, south to 200 South and West to Salt Lake Central
Southbound Route 470 will travel south on 300 West to 200 South, east to 200 East, north to South Temple, west to State Street, south via regular routing
Northbound Route 470 will travel north on State Street to South Temple, east to 200 East, south to 200 South, west to 300 West and north to its regular rout
Westbound Route 6 will travel on B Street to 2nd Avenue, east to E Street, south to South Temple and west to State Street

Travel Tips

Try out the group pass—$13.50 for up to four riders to ride round-trip during regular service hours. The group pass is good on TRAX, bus and FrontRunner.

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 skate board
- 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.

Fares Increase 10 Cents April 1

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with Fare, Fuel Surcharge March 26th, 2012 @ 3:25 pm

Last year, UTA’s board approved a three-year fare increase for all UTA fares and passes. The tiered program called for a 10 cent fare increase for 2012 that will go into effect Sunday, April 1.

With the changes base fares will run $2.35, an adult monthly pass will rise from $75 to $78.50 and a premium monthly pass (which covers Express bus service and FrontRunner) will rise from $180 to $189. A full fare schedule is available on UTA’s public website.

These changes have been proposed to help UTA keep pace with increasing fuel costs, increased operating costs, inflation and the budget challenges associated with a weak economy.

Along with the change in regular fares and passes, UTA adjusted the fuel surcharge program. The program was established in 2008 to protect the agency’s budget and operations against volatile, unforeseen increases in fuel prices. Under the new plan, the surcharge is triggered when diesel fuel averages $4 a gallon over the course of a full quarter.

Last year, UTA published an article on how UTA’s fares compare with other transit agencies. Comparison’s remain similar, however most of the agencies have gone through additional fare increases this year as well. Most recently Tri-Met, in Portland, announced a two-year fare increase. The first installment takes local fare to $2.50.

UTA Enhances Fare Enforcement

Filed in Featured, Trains of Thought Tagged with bus, EFC, Fare, FrontRunner, TRAX February 27th, 2012 @ 1:00 am

Many of you have commented recently on the more visible presence of transit officers in the system and requests for proof of fare. For the last two months, UTA has been testing a new fare enforcement program that includes additional personnel in the system and new electronic card readers.

Starting March 1, passengers with an electronic pass will be required to “tap it or ticket.” Cash passengers and monthly paper pass holders will continue to be checked in the same manner.

Your Tap Makes a Difference.

When you tap your card on an electronic card reader UTA collects important data. This data is used to charge your school or business for your actual transit use. Your tap also provides important data for UTA’s service planning group so we can improve overall transit service.

Your tap is how you show proof of fare payment when riding throughout the UTA system.

Not Tapping Your Card Can Result in a Fine

Transit police are initiating more random fare inspections. Tapping your Eco or Ed pass is how you show proof of fare payment when you are inspected.

UTA ordinances allow transit police to issue tickets and fine riders without proof of fare payment. Fines can be up to twice the regular adult monthly pass rate which will be $157 after April 1, 2012.

Please remember to tap your pass as you enter and exit the station platforms to ensure you are not at risk for paying a fine.

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