Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Only a few more weeks until TRAX opening. Here is the opening commercial.

• Video Link

Crazy to think we are now only 14 days away from this line finally opening.

[scottharding]

UTA fares are among the highest in the country:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56069497-90/fares-uta-fare-transit.html.csp

[Makid]

I think the main reason for the fares to be so high is the service area.

Isn't the area covered by UTA of of the largest if not largest areas for a single transit agency?

The coverage area is what requires the higher fares. Once distance fares are started, I think those closer to SLC or taking shorter trips will see a larger discount in fares.

[youngatheist]

Is the downtown loop something you guys think will happen, or is it official?

[Makid]

The downtown loop is in the planning documents for the WFRC (Wasatch Front Regional Council), Downtown Transportation master plan and UTA Expansion plan.

It is listed under the next 5 to 10 years. The same time as Phase I of the Salt Lake City streetcar line.

[StevenF]

I remember the Salt Lake City Mayor a few months ago being very vocal about how Salt Lake does not have the circular rought yet. I haven't heard much more about if the Mayor is still pushing for it or not.

[CCs77]

Originally Posted by Makid

The downtown loop is in the planning documents for the WFRC (Wasatch Front Regional Council), Downtown Transportation master plan and UTA Expansion plan.

It is listed under the next 5 to 10 years. The same time as Phase I of the Salt Lake City streetcar line.

What is that downtown loop about? where would it go?

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by CCs77

What is that downtown loop about? where would it go?

The SL Transportation plan, shows an extension of the 400 S line, through Main St, to 600 W and connecting it to the existing Trax line at SL Central. (There could be a downtown circular trax or streetcar that simply runs in a loop, and they could also implement the "White Line" to run from SL Central, south to 400 S and up to the University)

A proposed outer loop, not on any plans to build list, is having the line on 700 S extend through 200 W, to 600 W and connect to SL Central. (I included this line in a baseball stadium proposal on the SL Thread)

[CCs77]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

The SL Transportation plan, shows an extension of the 400 S line, through Main St, to 600 W and connecting it to the existing Trax line at SL Central. (There could be a downtown circular trax or streetcar that simply runs in a loop, and they could also implement the "White Line" to run from SL Central, south to 400 S and up to the University)

A proposed outer loop, not on any plans to build list, is having the line on 700 S extend through 200 W, to 600 W and connect to SL Central. (I included this line in a baseball stadium proposal on the SL Thread)

Ok, I understand, Thank you . so it will be this new section.





And the system would be like this. offering services as you said. It seems useful and easy to do, they should start building it by next year, once the new extensions are open.

[SLC Projects]

Funny thing is if you were to turn your head to the left the loop is the shape of our state.

[strippadam]

NO, the loop should be farther out. Though i love the idea of 400 south providing faster service to the University. it cuts downtown into a small loop. Think if the downtown loop train instead continued down 700 South, where the tracks are already partially laid for an existing train. Then turn and travel down the existing rail line under all of the overpasses for cars. This would then allow for the neighborhood between 600 South and the west temple freeway entrance/exit to grow quickly and upwards, perhaps becoming the new hip young district. This would also allow for redevelopment and quick trips into the downtown area while providing two trax stops in the neighborhood. One that goes to Sandy and West Valley and another a constant downtown loop. Which in my opinion could run later hours, providing rides home from the bars, movies, etc. Not to mention it would allow for all of the hotels along 600 S and 500 S to continue to grow even though they are not tall, it would allow guests to visit salt lake city, for conventions, conference, downtown, etc, etc., without having to pay for parking. They would park at the hotel take the trax train to the hotel from the airport and then travel easily throughout all of the downtown region.

[Future Mayor]

If you'll notice my comment prior to the map, I said the 4th S loop is on the plan, and the 7th S loop has been discussed.

The issue with building the 4th S vs 7th S loop is that 1) As has been stated the 4th S loop provides better access to the U from SL Central 2) The 400 S loop will provide access to already established areas, rather than building it through very under utilized areas.

I think the 4th S (inner loop) needs to be built first and the 7th S (outer loop) needs to be put into the planning documents. One reason it needs to be placed on the planning documents is because the Grainary Community Council has proposed mid street development on 700 S.

Here is a map I posted on the SL thread, it was related to a MLB stadium, but includes the outer Trax loop.

[StevenF]

Just thought of another future TRAX line I would love to see put in. It would be to run a line along California Ave from the 1300 South stop out to 5600 West. That would connect a lot of workers to mass transit as it cuts down the middle of the industrial parks.

Don't take this as we need more TRAX lines "right now" kinda thing as I feel there should be a break from major expansions or lines. I just feel like its a great option for a future line as it would bring people closer to their jobs via mass transit.

[Future Mayor]

Here's a link to the Sugarhouse Streetcar phase 2 study

http://www.shstreetcar.com/phase2.htm

[John Martin]

Originally Posted by StevenF

Just thought of another future TRAX line I would love to see put in. It would be to run a line along California Ave from the 1300 South stop out to 5600 West. That would connect a lot of workers to mass transit as it cuts down the middle of the industrial parks.

Don't take this as we need more TRAX lines "right now" kinda thing as I feel there should be a break from major expansions or lines. I just feel like its a great option for a future line as it would bring people closer to their jobs via mass transit.

But California Ave is just that, industrial. It's not walkable so a TRAX line would be a waste.

[UTPlanner]

The biggest issue is going to be funding. UTA has an extremely high debt to income ratio at the moment. They will not be able to borrow more money unless the sales tax gets raised providing more funding for them. I also don't foresee a lot of federal money becoming available for transportation projects.

[Makid]

The WFRC expects 2 more tax increases for UTA by 2030. 2016 and 2023.

If the schedule is kept to, I would like at least 1/2 of the 2016 increase to go to reducing fares. The other half should go to completing the Downtown 4th South loop and providing late night service on all lines until at least 2:00am. Possible considerations should be made for the Green Line south of 2100 south due to a track sharing agreement.

If there is any amount left from the 2016 increase, it should be put to reducing the current debt load. This would allow the planned 2023 increase to fund another potentially large group of projects.

[stayinginformed]

The walkway on the north side of the North Temple Viaduct is finally open. Here is a video of a TRAX train coming into the station and a look at the connection to the Frontrunner Station. Only a few more days and the line will be open.
• Video Link

[stayinginformed]

Here is a rundown of what is planned at each station along the Airport TRAX Line on Saturday. Station Events Start at 10 AM. Opening Ceremony at 2 PM at the North Temple FrontRunner Station.

North Temple Bridge Station

Head to the east parking lot of the North Temple Bridge Station to enjoy food by Mestizos and Red Iguana, listen to the West High School steel drum band, see the West High cheerleaders perform and participate in face painting for the kids!

Jackson Euclid Station (800 West)

Visit the Viva Market parking lot next to the Jackson Euclid Station and sample food from Pipa and Leatherby’s Family Creamery, get your picture taken in a photo booth, participate in art activities, and listen to a variety of local musicians, including the Hardy Brothers, the Taiko Drummers, Rainbow Black, and Nathan and Spencer.

Fairpark Station

Experience a mini fair at the Utah State Fairpark. Enjoy a petting zoo, an inflatable slide, and the ultimate fair food – funnel cakes!

Power Station

At the Power Station stop, head over to the Diamond Lil’s parking lot to sample some of Diamond Lil’s legendary food and dance to the sounds of local blues musician, Harry Lee.

1940 West Station

Don’t miss the 1940 West Station, with face painting for the kids and upscale Mexican fare from Frida Bistro for the adults.

Airport Station

At the Airport Station, enjoy everyone’s favorite airplane snack – Biscoff cookies – and a get free photo taken to add to your commemorative passport.

[Future Mayor]

I attended the Liberty Wells Community Council meeting last night and they talked about the future transit plans for the city, including the options for phase 2 of the Sugarhouse Streetcar line. Phase 2 would extend the street car towards monument plaza, there are several options to do that.

The also talked about the downtown street car, which we have discussed on here many times. It's route is 200 E at 100 S by Harmons, down 200 E to 200 S to 400 W, west on 300 S around the depot, back to 300 S to SL Central.

Another one on the list and the map is the Granary district Streetcar. This would run south from SL Central down to 900 S and connect to the 900 S trax platform, similar to what the sugarhouse line will do at 2100 S.

As for the cars on the Sugarhouse line. They will be the same cars as the new Traxx cars, the low floor vehicles, but they will have the couplers removed on each end, and the speed will be limited. Street car specific cars are on about a 3-4 year wait time, so the fact that UTA has enough of the newer trax cars to convert a couple into streetcars allow the sugarhouse line to open once construction is complete. I can't recall what city they mentioned, but one city has all the construction done on their streetcar line, but is still a couple of years away from opening, because they are waiting for their cars.