Utah Transit Authority general manager John Inglish christened the Magna-to-TRAX bus rapid transit line with a speech that acknowledged confusion but predicted riders will get used to the new express bus that makes fewer stops.

"This is the beginning of a very new era for the Utah Transit Authority," he said.

The bus controls traffic signals by stringing out green lights until it gets past an intersection. And when utility work on its 3500 South route ends next year, it will have its own two lanes to avoid traffic.

Rider Devin Souza stepped off the bus at the Millcreek TRAX station and gave mixed reviews. The bus was fast, he said, but his hometown of Magna gave up more local bus service to get it. The MAX buses run every 15 minutes but don't go everywhere in Magna that the regular 35 route goes, he said. And the formerly 15-minute service on that route now runs only every 30 minutes.

People will either have to adjust their schedules or walk farther to the new new bus route, he said.

Still, his commute by bus, which is late enough to avoid the morning traffic rush, went much more smoothly on Monday. What normally takes 40 minutes took just 20, he said. "It was fast."

Inglish said the move toward bus rapid transit with dedicated lanes follows a decade of rail development and is meant to better connect people to the rails.

West Valley City Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said he is excited to have the new service running through his city and foresees a valleywide network of the cheaper alternatives to light rail.

"I don't think you need to be much of a prophet" to see that, he said.

bloomis@sltrib.com