Get a free Uber or Lyft ride instead of waiting on delayed buses, trains through this UTA service

If your bus is late, or your train is delayed, you could quickly catch a free ride with Uber, Lyft or Yellow Cab Utah instead through a lesser known Utah Transit Authority program.

The program, called UTA ReConnect, aims to “keep people moving” during unplanned service interruptions, according to its website. It’s free and relatively easy to use in the face of a transit problem, like mechanical issues, a blocked TRAX line and more, said Hal Johnson, UTA’s director of innovative mobility.

Riders can use the ReConnect service by calling customer service at 801-743-3882, Johnson said. There, a UTA representative will help you figure out the best transit solution.

That could mean a coupon code to purchase a free Uber, Lyft or cab ride, but it could also mean waiting for the next bus — if you’re dealing with a service failure on a 15-minute bus route, for instance.

In the event of a ReConnect alternative, UTA doesn’t typically refund fares, a spokesperson said. But the agency’s customer service representatives can determine if a refund is warranted.

The ReConnect program first launched in summer 2022, but as of right now, the customer service line is still only open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The agency is working on a solution for riders who experience service issues outside of the hotline’s hours, Johnson said.

All of UTA’s multimodal transit options are available through the ReConnect program, including buses, TRAX, FrontRunner and more. Ideally, customers can use ReConnect to link back to a UTA transportation option, like a bus bridge to get you to another train station.

But the option to hail an Uber, Lyft or cab ride instead was included in order to make sure the solution is convenient as possible for each rider.

“We’re just continuing to evolve the program and have it as a tool,” Johnson said. “It’s a great backup for us.”