FrontRunner fares dropping, TRAX lines back to normal

Sandy-line riders, you did it.

Starting Sunday, the TRAX trains going north from Sandy will still stop at the Arena Station, but then they'll continue to the end of the line at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub.

That route had been shortened to the Arena Station in August when the Utah Transit Authority also instituted a new Sandy-University of Utah line. The direct train to the university seemed to be a hit, but many riders complained of halting Sandy trains at the Arena Station and making them switch trains to reach FrontRunner.

"We got a lot of public feedback on that and we decided to change the service back," said UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter, noting there will still be a direct Sandy-university line.

FrontRunner commuters also got a little good news: base fares are dropping by $1.

Traveling to one station will cost $2 instead of $3; additional stations will still mean an extra 50 cents. The $162 cost for a monthly premium pass to ride buses and commuter and light-rail isn't changing.

Also, UTA is extending its summer group pass. The pass will now cost $12 and allow four riders all-day travel on FrontRunner, TRAX and buses.

More information is available at www.rideuta.com.