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The Utah Transit Authority is proposing to increase the frequency of ski buses in Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood canyons by shortening their current routes in the valley — including eliminating direct ski bus service from downtown Salt Lake City. Downtown hotels are concerned about the plans.

Skiers would need to take other existing rail or bus routes, or drive, to catch the ski buses near the canyons or at TRAX or FrontRunner stops in Murray, Midvale and Sandy.

UTA says rearranging its resources that way will increase ski-bus trips in the Cottonwood canyons by 35 percent, and provide canyon service all day seven days a week — at 15-minute intervals at peak times, and every 30 minutes at other times.

The agency says that will help overcome problems with crowded ski buses, no midday bus service and inconsistent frequency. It also says the changes may lead more skiers to park at TRAX and FrontRunner stations, which will help ease problems with limited parking at the canyon mouths.

The proposal concerns downtown hotels, says Jordan Garn, executive director for the Utah Hotel and Lodging Association and the Salt Lake Valley Lodging Association.

"While we would applaud any efforts to increase bus service in other parts of the [Salt Lake] valley, I think there is some concern about not offering that to downtown," he said, adding he had not heard of the proposal until called by the Tribune.

"We have guests that come in who want to experience what downtown has to offer, and there is a lot to showcase," Garn said, adding they then want to be "able to avail themselves of the beautiful ski resorts that we have."

He said eliminating direct ski bus service could complicate that, and he plans to talk to his board of directors to see what action it would like him to take.

Also, UTA is proposing to add a new ski bus route between Layton and Snowbasin resort east of Ogden.

UTA has scheduled several public hearings on those proposals for the upcoming ski season, and will also accept comments by email to rideuta.com">hearingofficer@rideuta.com until Oct. 17 at 5 p.m.

UTA said in a press release that it is proposing to streamline its eight current, seasonal ski bus routes to the Cottonwood canyons into three new realigned ones — which includes eliminating direct ski bus service from downtown Salt Lake City.

The transit agency proposes to have a realigned Route 953 serve Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts, select Park and Ride lots and the Murray Central TRAX/FrontRunner Station with 12 trips per day, including six in the morning and six in the evening.

The current Route 992 would be change to Route 994 and serve Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts, select Park and Ride lots and the Historical Sandy TRAX Station. It would operate every 15 minutes between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It would operate every 30 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Route 960 would be changed to Route 972 and would serve Big Cottonwood Canyon resorts, select Park and Ride lots, and the Bingham Junction and Midvale Fort Union TRAX stations. It would operate every 15 minutes between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. It would operate every 30 minutes between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. It will also have a night route leaving Brighton at 8:35 p.m.

Also, UTA is proposing a new Route 677 to serve Snowbasin from the Layton FrontRunner Station. It will also serve Layton Hills Mall, local hotels and select Davis County Park and Ride lots. It would offer two morning trips and two return trips in the afternoon, and would operate seven days a week.

More details about the proposals are online at rideuta.com. Public hearings on the changes for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons have been scheduled for:

• Oct. 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Midvale City Hall, 7505 S. Holden Street, Midvale.

• Oct. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, multi-purpose room, Sandy.

A public hearing on the new Snowbasin route from Layton has also been scheduled for Sept. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Davis County Central Library, 155 Wasatch Drive, Layton.