Jay Fox: It is a great time for transit along the Wasatch Front

The Utah Transit Authority would like to respond to a recent Salt Lake Tribune article (”Here’s why some Utahns say they don’t ride public transportation,” April 9, and highlight that many Utahns are riding public transportation.

This is a great time for transit along the Wasatch Front, and UTA is engaged in multiple efforts to improve transit service and access for the communities we serve.

As the nation emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, UTA customers are returning in greater numbers to schools, employment, entertainment and dining destinations and events. A study sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association shows there is no direct correlation between the use of public transit and the transmission of COVID-19. Nevertheless, since the start of the pandemic, UTA has proactively ensured rider safety with enhanced daily cleaning and by encouraging riders and employees to wear masks in compliance with federal requirements.

UTA is spearheading several initiatives to expand service, improve connections and reduce travel time. Our Five-year Service Plan focuses on implementing routes and schedules that increase access and streamline connections. A 2016 federal grant provided $20 million for dozens of projects which are improving pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit.

Partnering with the Utah Department of Transportation, UTA reduces travel time and improves service through transit signal prioritization along high ridership bus corridors. The Bus Network Optimization Program leverages new technology by analyzing routes and identifying problem areas where buses commonly experience delays, which ultimately increases system efficiency.

Innovative new services, like UTA On Demand, expand our coverage in many local communities. This app-based utility picks up riders anywhere within the service zone and connects them to other UTA routes or destinations in the community. UTA On Demand first launched in 2019 in southern Salt Lake County, and most recently in Salt Lake City’s Westside neighborhoods. Two more service areas – Tooele and South Davis County – launch this summer.

Affordability is important to UTA. We continue pursuing ways to make transit more accessible for all individuals. UTA’s base fare has not increased since 2013, and in the past several years we made several changes to simplify the fare structure. Monthly pass prices have decreased, the discount rate for youth has increased and new programs are available for low-income individuals.

Free Fare February was a great success. Average weekly ridership increased by 16.2%, with a 58% increase on Saturdays. In a survey of more than 5,000 people who rode during Free Fare February, more than 20% reported trying UTA for the first time. The survey responses included 3,000 open-ended comments about their experience, and more than 80% of those comments were positive!

People rode TRAX and FrontRunner to the airport for the first time, and they traveled with their families on transit to events and activities throughout the region. Free Fare February provided valuable information, and UTA is engaged with elected officials and transportation planning partners to continue studying the benefits of free fares on UTA.

Safety remains UTA’s top priority. We utilize a variety of measures to improve rider safety through engineering, education, and enforcement. UTA’s police force and vigilant operators respond to situations and assist riders every day. We have enhanced safety with cameras installed on our buses, trains, and platforms throughout the system. We encourage everyone to “See Something, Say Something” and call our tip line at 801-287-EYES at any time.

Utahns embrace transit now and will in the future as UTA continues expanding service, enhancing access for all individuals, and delivering safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transit for Wasatch Front residents, while literally driving community and economic growth.

UTA is the answer.

Jay Fox is the executive director of the Utah Transit Authority.