Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I think UTA should focus on partnering with developers and cities to develop high density around each Front Runner and Trax station. Doing that will boast ridership and increase the money coming into the overall system, resulting in less tax payer money subsidizing the system. It will never be a subsidy free system, but adding capacity on rail lines is much more cost effective than adding capacity on bus lines or adding more lines.

As for the Payson extenstion, that will be built when the new express bus service from Payson, to Spanish Fork to Provo FrontRunner, shows the demand for the cost of the extention.

Additionally I think there should also be a focus on locating regional/interregional attractions (like the aquarium) adjacent to FrontRunner/TRAX stops. That would also improve ridership as well as connectivity. Furthermore, a train ride always makes a family outing more interesting.

Originally Posted by scottharding

I also agree that UTA should take a little time off building new lines and focus a bit on improving the current system. It's been quite a shock to the community opening so many lines in succession. I don't think the break should be twenty years though. I think a good 2-3 years to focus only only the current system, implementing a distance-based fare, and planning would do a lot of good.

Agreed

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

That's unfortunate. I ride the bus every day and it is a mostly wonderful experience. Try it again sometime.

Like

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Old&New

Additionally I think there should also be a focus on locating regional/interregional attractions (like the aquarium) adjacent to FrontRunner/TRAX stops. That would also improve ridership as well as connectivity. Furthermore, a train ride always makes a family outing more interesting.

I agree, the Aquarium was VERY short sighted in there location decision. Locations have just got progressively worse, since the original proposal. 400 S and 500 W (I believe), then the small installation tucked away in the north end of The Gateway, then to a suburban Sandy location (at least it was near some residential) now in Draper on a mostly commercial business park type street.

[ajiuO]

I was looking at photos that someone posted of the sugarhouse street car tracks...

Will the street car just be a single track with one car that runs back and forth??

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I was looking at photos that someone posted of the sugarhouse street car tracks...

Will the street car just be a single track with one car that runs back and forth??

For the most part yes.

[Reachforthesky]

Just saw this on Fox 13!

http://fox13now.com/2013/01/22/kennecott-downtown-alliance-offer-free-uta-passes-on-red-air-days/

Kennecott Copper Utah and the Downtown Alliance have teamed up to offer free UTA day passes on red air days.
Commuters who fill out an online form and pledge to only use the pass on red air days will be able to use it on buses and on TRAX.
For more information, visit kennecott.com.


http://kennecott.com/pledge-receive-free-uta-day-pass
Nice! Every little bit helps! I applaud them for this!

[slc801]

Originally Posted by Reachforthesky

Just saw this on Fox 13!

http://fox13now.com/2013/01/22/kennecott-downtown-alliance-offer-free-uta-passes-on-red-air-days/

Kennecott Copper Utah and the Downtown Alliance have teamed up to offer free UTA day passes on red air days.
Commuters who fill out an online form and pledge to only use the pass on red air days will be able to use it on buses and on TRAX.
For more information, visit kennecott.com.


http://kennecott.com/pledge-receive-free-uta-day-pass
Nice! Every little bit helps! I applaud them for this!

I was really excited about this, but I am a little skeptical after looking at the website. Can you only get one pass? Could I get a pass, and then get another one after that for the next red air day? If it is a "one pass, per person, per household" limit and you can never get another one, then I think it is nice publicity for Rio Tinto without any real effect.

[slc801]

My friend was on frontrunner today and the train conductor said that anyone that is in the military, a firefighter, or a policeman can ride UTA for free as long as they have their service ID on them. Anyone else heard of this before?

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

For the most part yes.

There will be two trains that run on the line. They'll meet at 500 East going the opposite direction.

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by slc801

My friend was on frontrunner today and the train conductor said that anyone that is in the military, a firefighter, or a policeman can ride UTA for free as long as they have their service ID on them. Anyone else heard of this before?

Yes, this is true. As long as I had my badge with me I was able to ride Trax or the bus. I never tried Frontrunner, but I know it worked for the others.

[Orlando]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55325064-78/canyons-transportation-lake-salt.html.csp

Canyon transportation plans gathering momentum

Wasatch Mountains » Environmental study recommended as next step in planning for growth while protecting canyons.


By Mike Gorrell

| The Salt Lake Tribune


First Published Nov 21 2012 03:44 pm • Last Updated Nov 22 2012 09:50 pm

Cottonwood Heights • Never has there been more momentum than now for finding solutions to transportation problems in Wasatch Front canyons, particularly Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood.

A chorus of disparate voices echoed that sentiment Wednesday as Salt Lake County formally released three canyon transportation studies produced locally during the past year. Those voices included Carl Fisher, executive director of the conservation group Save Our Canyons, and David DeSeelhorst, owner of Solitude Mountain Resort, individuals who don’t often share similar perspectives.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/54737412-79/salt-utah-center-creek.html.csp

Envision Utah honors efforts for quality growth

Awards » City Creek, Salt Palace solar array among those recognized.


The Salt Lake Tribune


First Published Aug 22 2012 07:31 am • Last Updated Aug 22 2012 07:33 pm

Six entities have received Envision Utah Governor’s Quality Growth Awards for innovations that enhance the quality of life in Utah.

The private-public partnership recognized the efforts earlier this week at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Salt Lake City.

[tygr]

With all of the talk and press about our horrible inversions, it might be a perfect opportunity for public transit incentives.

UTA, the Utah Legislature, and possibly the EPA/Federal Government should together and offer a reduced fare on UTA based on our "Green/Yellow/Red" air days. They could even add a "Black" air day when it gets as toxic as it was last week.

It might be as follows:

• Green—no incentive
• Yellow—15% discount
• Red—30% discount
• Black—50% discount

They might find that the public begins using it more, and when air qualities are better, they continue riding.

Public transit is a perfect venue to help reduce pollution levels.

I'm sure the FrontRunner engines use the same amount of fuel per trip whether they pull three cars (as they do now) or five or six cars. I doubt the engine would even feel the difference. UTA doesn't necessarily need to increase the number of trips, just capacity on bad air days.

The negative press might give the EPA a reason to require FrontRunner to be converted to electric sooner than anticipated.

[StevenF]

Heard on the radio this morning that there was an accident on 2100 south involving a TRAX train.

[SLCdude]

Originally Posted by tygr

It might be as follows:

• Green—no incentive
• Yellow—15% discount
• Red—30% discount
• Black—50% discount

I think the discounts should be more drastic than that. Transit should be FREE on days like the ones we've seen this week. The vast majority of UTA funds come from sales tax anyway, and it would be of the best interest of everyone if the government paid for transit on such days.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by tygr

With all of the talk and press about our horrible inversions, it might be a perfect opportunity for public transit incentives.

UTA, the Utah Legislature, and possibly the EPA/Federal Government should together and offer a reduced fare on UTA based on our "Green/Yellow/Red" air days. They could even add a "Black" air day when it gets as toxic as it was last week.

It might be as follows:

• Green—no incentive
• Yellow—15% discount
• Red—30% discount
• Black—50% discount

They might find that the public begins using it more, and when air qualities are better, they continue riding.

Public transit is a perfect venue to help reduce pollution levels.

I'm sure the FrontRunner engines use the same amount of fuel per trip whether they pull three cars (as they do now) or five or six cars. I doubt the engine would even feel the difference. UTA doesn't necessarily need to increase the number of trips, just capacity on bad air days.

The negative press might give the EPA a reason to require FrontRunner to be converted to electric sooner than anticipated.

I like the list. I think the values are a bit to high to make to many move from cars to transit.

There has been a push to give free trax/buses on red air days. I think this would be a good way to introduce more people to transit.

I would adjust the list to the following:

• Green—no incentive
• Yellow—50% discount (Trax/Buses only)
• Red—100% discount (Trax/Buses only) 50% Discount (Frontrunner)
• Black—100% discount (All transit options)

I think this would encourage more people to use transit and as people become adjusted to transit, we can over the course of 10 years, adjust the fees to your list above.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by StevenF

Heard on the radio this morning that there was an accident on 2100 south involving a TRAX train.

It could be because of snow on the roads. Last night into this morning I guess all the plow drivers took the day off since this morning NONE of the roads were plowed. For some reason redwood NEVER gets plowed. For some reason we seem to have a issue with plow drivers taking too long to clear these roads or they don't at all.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by StevenF

Heard on the radio this morning that there was an accident on 2100 south involving a TRAX train.

I guy was hit by the Trax train and pinned and dragged underneath the train, serious non life threatening. He was trespassing on the tracks about 100' north of 2100 S, fell and got pinned. He didn't get run over by the wheels, thus why he is in serious and not critical condition or even dead.

Once again a trax accident that was 0% UTA's fault.

[tygr]

Originally Posted by Makid

I like the list. I think the values are a bit to high to make to many move from cars to transit.

There has been a push to give free trax/buses on red air days. I think this would be a good way to introduce more people to transit.

I would adjust the list to the following:

• Green—no incentive
• Yellow—50% discount (Trax/Buses only)
• Red—100% discount (Trax/Buses only) 50% Discount (Frontrunner)
• Black—100% discount (All transit options)

I think this would encourage more people to use transit and as people become adjusted to transit, we can over the course of 10 years, adjust the fees to your list above.

I was being conservative, and I like the way you break it out based on transit mode.

In a way, I was offering smaller discounts to possibly discover where the ticket price "sweet spot" would be where ridership is at a maximum, while operational costs are still covered at the same rate.

[delts145]

Tygr, I hope your proposal is one of those "Great Minds Think Alike", and it actually is implemented by those in power. To me, it should be a no-brainer, after what happened this past January.

Many Wasatch Fronters must quit thinking that inversions are a necessary evil, that one must pay to live in one of the World's most beautifully situated Metros.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by delts145

Tygr, I hope your proposal is one of those "Great Minds Think Alike", and it actually is implemented by those in power. To me, it should be a no brainer after what happened this past January.

Many Wasatch Fronters must quit thinking that inversions are a necessary evil, that one must pay to live in one of the World's most beautifully situated Metros.

My girlfriend, who is a news reported did a story about the inversion last week and one of the people she interviewed, but didn't put on air, was fine with the planet being destroyed by the pollution, such as our nasty inversion last week, because it will bring the coming of Christ sooner. WOW!

This could go a long way in reducing pollution.
Coming soon, the car that runs on air: Peugeot Citroen unveil new 117mpg hybrid (and it's £1,000 cheaper than a Prius)


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...html?goback=.gde_116818_member_208311179

[slc801]

Originally Posted by Reachforthesky

Just saw this on Fox 13!

http://fox13now.com/2013/01/22/kennecott-downtown-alliance-offer-free-uta-passes-on-red-air-days/

Kennecott Copper Utah and the Downtown Alliance have teamed up to offer free UTA day passes on red air days.
Commuters who fill out an online form and pledge to only use the pass on red air days will be able to use it on buses and on TRAX.
For more information, visit kennecott.com.


http://kennecott.com/pledge-receive-free-uta-day-pass
Nice! Every little bit helps! I applaud them for this!

I went ahead and did this and I've got to say that I am pretty disappointed. As the man that was quote in the article said, I feel that it is a nice effort but doesn't come close to overcoming the negative impacts on air that Kennecott has. It took about 3 mail days (not including Sunday) to actually get my pass. It is good for TRAX and buses or $5.75 towards a frontrunner pass. I went to go see if I could sign up for another one but the site was closed. Who knows if it will open up again during the next red air day.

I think this was just a PR scam that Kennecott will use at some future day to say that they offered free public transit to offset their impact on the air. It isn't going to have any, or extremely little, impact on getting people on public transit, since it can only be used once ever 3 or four days (due to the time it takes to get in the mail), and who knows if it will be available again. Also, the publicity about it was horrible. Only fox13 covered the story, not the Trib, KSL, or the deseret news. It makes me think that they did not want to publicize it so that fewer people would take advantage of it, costing them less money.

I love the idea of Kennecott offering free public transit to offset their impact on the air. However, this was a disingenuous attempt that I think they will eventually promote themselves as a green company.