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The Utah Transit Authority is doubling the frequency of buses to the Utah State Capitol during the 45-day session of the Legislature that begins Monday, offering service every 15 minutes. Buses will also run a little later into the evening there.

That "is making it easier for people to do their part, to participate in the legislative process and clean the air at the same time," said Alan Matheson, executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

"I bet the residents in the Capitol Hill area appreciate the fact there will be, hopefully, a little less congestion and people fighting for parking in their area," said Matt Sibul, UTA chief planning officer.

UTA is adding what it calls the "Route 500 Special," or the "Capitol Connector," to supplement service along part of its existing Route 500 to the Capitol.

The special will include service to the TRAX Courthouse station and the TRAX/FrontRunner North Temple station. Unlike the existing Route 500, the special will not also travel to the Salt Lake Central Station.

The special will offer extra trips to the Capitol beginning about 8:30 a.m., and the last bus from the Capitol in the evening will depart at 8:31 p.m. The last regular Route 500 buses usually leaves at 7:20 p.m.

At an announcement of the service, Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, praised the temporary extension as an example of "innovative, strategic, targeted expansion" of transit that "can really impact our air quality."

But one group questioned whether it is the wisest use of funds — and said it may be better to help lower-income areas where more people rely on transit as their only means of transportation.

The Utah Transit Riders Union issued a statement saying, "Currently, neighborhoods on the west side of Salt Lake City are not provided the same level of public transit opportunities and frequency as their east-side neighbors.The Utah Transit Riders Union urges UTA to take steps to increase frequency and span of service for those that can benefit the most, every day, all year long."

UTA Interim CEO Jerry Benson noted that "the legislative session is often held during a time of winter inversions, which can result in poor air quality." He said he hopes the extra service "will give people an opportunity to try UTA and encourage them to make public transportation part of their everyday lives."

The existing Route 500 has 53 existing trips — 26 northbound and 27 southbound. The new Route 500 Special will bring the total number of trips to 112.

The service is offered on weekdays. Specific times and maps are available online at rideuta.com.