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UTA now offers personalized alerts about route disruptions

(Leah Hogsten | Tribune file photo) Utah Transit Authority bus riders wait out the rain in shelters along 200 North in Farmington on March 7, 2019.

The Utah Transit Authority is offering a new service to send riders texts or emails about disruptions on the bus or train routes they use to help them adjust their commute.

While the agency has long sent system alerts through Twitter and the Transit app, the new service will focus information for individuals on just the routes they use — and not require them to look at separate websites or apps.

“UTA is actively seeking new ways to provide our customers the right information at the right time. Now UTA can tell riders where to catch their bus and what to expect as soon as we know it,” said Marci Warren, UTA customer experience researcher.

“We’ll also be able to give riders a heads up about any major rail service delays so they can check Twitter to find out when to expect the next TRAX or FrontRunner train,” she said.

With the service, riders sign up through its rideuta.com webpage for only the routes they choose and select to receive alerts via email or text. They may change preferences at any time and are notified with route detours or changes start and when they clear;. They are also notified of major delays or systemwide disruptions on TRAX and FrontRunner.

UTA will provide the alerts while also extending social media customer support to seven days a week, including Sundays until 7 p.m.