This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Transit Authority has decided what new "color name" to attach to each of its TRAX lines. Not surprisingly, the line that travels to the University of Utah will become the red line.
"We felt like we didn't have much choice but to name it the red line. If we had tried to name it the blue line (the color of rival Brigham Young University), there would have been blood in the streets," said UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter.
UTA on Friday released color codes for TRAX lines as it announced some of its celebration plans for opening its new West Valley City and Mid-Jordan TRAX extensions on Aug. 7.
What will be the "red line" will incorporate the new Mid-Jordan extension, and will run between the University of Utah and the Daybreak area of South Jordan.
The new "green line" will include the West Valley City extension, and will run from Valley Fair Mall to the Salt Lake Central station. The new "blue line" will travel between Sandy and the Salt Lake Central Station.
UTA said it will celebrate completion of the new Mid-Jordan and West Valley City extensions on Aug. 2 with ceremonies and inaugural rides on both lines.
On Aug. 3, it will allow the public to ride the lines in advance of the official opening on Aug. 7. UTA is joining with the Utah Food Bank to "let food be your fare" that day, with those boarding at one of the new stations encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item. Rides will begin on those lines at 9 a.m. that day and continue until about 11 p.m.
No service will be offered on the new extensions from Aug. 4 through Aug. 6. Official service begins on Aug. 7, with fare required on all trains, except in the downtown free fare zone. Also, changes to the bus system will go into effect that day.
More information about routes and schedules is available at http://www.rideuta.com.