Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[CountyLemonade]

Also: Wonderful video on the impressive, unprecedented strides that Salt Lake has made in its transit system in the last fourteen years.

So gratifying to receive nationwide attention of this nature. We deserve it.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

Projects, are we talking about the nature of public transportation or UTA's salaries? They're absurdly exorbitant, yes, but you failed to respond to anything I said.

I'm talking about wasted money that could go from one to the other, so both. You said this wasn't a business, clearly it is.

[SLC Projects]

No doubt UTA has made great strides with their Mass Transit during these last 13 years or so. Great video. Love seeing all the new lines going in place and them investing so much towards Mass Tranits.........( here comes the "but" ) but.....while some of the money is well spend, there's plenty that isn't being well spend. That's my issue as I pointed out in my last few posts of how I think UTA is over paying their CEOs and other top leaders. UTA always likes to point out that a project is done in less time and under budget ( even says that in that video ) but where is all that extra money going? Are they saving it for future development, improvements or is it just some bonus money to go to the CEO? Wasting money and then asking us to help make it up with higher taxes just seems kind of silly. But like I said, that seems to be a trend now with companies.

[Makid]

There is no extra money from the builds. The savings are bonds that didn't need to be sold. This is a double savings as it wasn't spent, it means that it doesn't need to be repaid.

My understanding is that the bonds could only be used for the Frontlines expansion, this means that they cannot be issued for other projects.

I think the estimated savings so far from the Frontlines expansion is roughly $300M.

Just think of what projects could be done with the $300M if it could be used:

4th South Trax loop (University to SL Central Hub)
State Street BRT
Downtown Streetcar (Phase 1)

These could be covered or nearly covered with just the savings so far.

Now, I do think these projects should be built, I also think that they should be built sooner rather than later. But, I also think that UTA needs to work to increase service level frequency and lower fares by at least $1.00 from where they are now to increase usage.

I do think that most people would be able to deal with a commute time that adds an additional 50% to doubling in time if the costs are reasonable.

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I'm talking about wasted money that could go from one to the other, so both. You said this wasn't a business, clearly it is.

K. I dislike high salaries for government employees as much as the next guy. But you're throwing fact out the window by calling UTA a business. Would you consider UDOT a business if its director made too much money? Calling UDOT, or any other governmental agency, a "business" is inaccurate. Businesses have to turn a profit. UTA has 77 percent of its operations subsidized by taxes. Yeah. . . Not a business.

And as has been said, they can't use the savings from projects and divert that into their salaries. Projects, I understand your frustration with UTA's salaries. I share them. But for some of the things that they do wrong, they do a whole lot right as well.

Originally Posted by Makid

Now, I do think these projects should be built, I also think that they should be built sooner rather than later. But, I also think that UTA needs to work to increase service level frequency and lower fares by at least $1.00 from where they are now to increase usage.

I do think that most people would be able to deal with a commute time that adds an additional 50% to doubling in time if the costs are reasonable.

I would be okay if all future rail projects (with maybe the exception of the Sugar House streetcar phase II) were delayed so the focus could be put back on bus service. And it sounds like UTA is doing just that. In December, once Sugar House phase I finishes, money that has been funneling into construction and maintenance for the past several years will finally start going back into bus operations.

[Comrade]

Dammit, Salt Lake.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56...car-1100.html.csp?utm_source=twitterfeed

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Dammit, Salt Lake.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56...car-1100.html.csp?utm_source=twitterfeed

Hopefully the city will go right into writing their grant funding proposals so that there won't be a chance for it to come to a vote again. 2 of the 3 in favor or 21st S will remain on council with Sorens seat up for grabs, (he's not running) 3 of the 4 seats in favor are up for election, and only 1 of those with an incumbent. If it does come up for a vote again, and the Mayor doesn't see the new council being favorable to 11th E, he could easily take the vote prior to the change.

[Comrade]

I shoulda filed to run for District 7. I see only two people are running (one who's actually a Facebook friend). Oh well.

[justiny]

Politics as usual.

[brankrom]

Count me as one that doesn't consider UTA management salaries as being to far out of line. John Inglish worked for UTA for close to 40 year, UTA manages a huge geographical service area roughly 100 miles north to south with 4 different modes of transportation (bus, light rail, heavy rail, and para-transit). I don't like the bonuses or the travel junkets either but a quarter million salary to manage the system doesn't seem that out of line. Hell the city administrator of Brigham City pulls in around $200K. There's an awful lot of hand wringing about gov't salaries especially UTA, yet very few complain about the highest paid government worker in the state which is none other than Kyle Whittingham who at $1.9 mil, makes John Inglish and Mike Allegras salaries look like chump change.

[Orlando]

For those of you interested in giving some input to the Regional Transportation Plan, there are opportunities open to you. See below.




PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

For The

Draft 2014-2019 TIP and 2011-2040 RTP Amendments


The Wasatch Front Regional Council is preparing a 2014-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and four amendments to the 2011-2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The TIP and RTP amendments will be available for public review from June 29 through August 3, 2013. During this comment period, WFRC will sponsor three open houses to display and receive comment on the draft TIP and the four amendments to the RTP, and their corresponding air quality conformity analyses (Air Quality Memoranda 29 and 29a).



The RTP amendments address proposed improvements to Pioneer Road, Adams Avenue and 4000 South in Weber County and an interchange at Bangerter Highway and Redwood Road in Salt Lake County.



The TIP is a six-year spending plan for major highway and transit construction projects. Some of the projects added to the draft TIP include improvements to segment five of Porter Rockwell Boulevard in Bluffdale, Vine Street in Murray, 300 North in West Point and Clearfield, an intersection project at 1100 West and SR-91 in Brigham City, and Larsen Lane in Harrisville.



All these projects and more are subject to public review and comment prior to consideration and possible adoption by the Regional Council at its August 22 meeting.

The Regional Council will sponsor three open houses to display and receive comment on the proposed amendments to the 2011-2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Draft 2014-2019 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the associated air quality conformity analyses at the following times and locations:


Thursday, July 18, 2013

Farmington Library Conference Room

133 South Main Street, Farmington

3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.



Monday, July 22, 2013

Weber County Commission Breakout Room

Weber County Government Center

2380 South Washington Blvd., Ogden

3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.



Thursday, August 1, 2013

Salt Lake County Government Center, North Building Atrium

2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City

3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.





Further information is available on the Regional Council’s website at www.wfrc.org or at (801) 363-4250. You are invited to attend and give comment at the open houses. You may also submit comments to Sam Klemm at [email protected] or by mail to WFRC, 295 North Jimmy Doolittle Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84116.

Please come and see how this program of highway and transit projects and the amendments to the Regional Transportation Plan will affect you.

[tadsol18]

So I was just thinking... Isn't the sugarhouse streetcar opening in December? If so, doesn't it require a 6 month testing period? I haven't seen trains or testing yet and we are at the 5 month mark.

[stayinginformed]

Originally Posted by tadsol18

So I was just thinking... Isn't the sugarhouse streetcar opening in December? If so, doesn't it require a 6 month testing period? I haven't seen trains or testing yet and we are at the 5 month mark.

I think it is closer to 3-4 months. I think the drivers need a certain number of hours on the line. For the North Temple line, they started running at the end of November, and the line opened in April, and at the beginning there were not many trains, maybe one every couple days. As the opening got closer they started running on normal schedule. You will probably see the track grinders on the line before the test trains start running.

[delts145]

Park City Transit Center

Planning and design using limited taxpayer dollars demands infinite creativity and rigid accountability. Much of CRSA's work is for the federal and state governments, as well as local municipalities.


5,000 s.f. Historically-sensitive Intermodal transit center for car, shuttle bus and transit bus transfer.



http://www.crsa-us.com


http://www.crsa-us.com


http://www.crsa-us.com

.

[SLC_Rising]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

Also: Wonderful video on the impressive, unprecedented strides that Salt Lake has made in its transit system in the last fourteen years.

So gratifying to receive nationwide attention of this nature. We deserve it.

Great find.
May I ask though why in another thread you disregarded my statement that SLC recieves a lot of National attention, and is considered a top 3 transit in the country?..I mean, these are things I work directly with...coming from the Seattle/Portland area, meeting with the agencies there they are high on what SLC is doing. I guess I just dont understand why now your pointing this out.

[John Martin]

Originally Posted by delts145

Park City Transit Center

Planning and design using limited taxpayer dollars demands infinite creativity and rigid accountability. Much of CRSA's work is for the federal and state governments, as well as local municipalities.


5,000 s.f. Historically-sensitive Intermodal transit center for car, shuttle bus and transit bus transfer.



http://www.crsa-us.com


http://www.crsa-us.com


http://www.crsa-us.com

.

I've always loved this one. Excellent exterior color scheme.

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by SLC_Rising

Great find.
May I ask though why in another thread you disregarded my statement that SLC recieves a lot of National attention, and is considered a top 3 transit in the country?..I mean, these are things I work directly with...coming from the Seattle/Portland area, meeting with the agencies there they are high on what SLC is doing. I guess I just dont understand why now your pointing this out.

It's one thing to admire the progress that Salt Lake City has made with its transit system. It's one thing to acknowledge that we've made extraordinary advances in an extraordinarily short period of time. But it's another thing entirely to say that Salt Lake has a top-three transit system. Because we don't. Why? Bus service is lacking. As is late night and Sunday service across all modes. That holds us back significantly.

[SLC_Rising]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

It's one thing to admire the progress that Salt Lake City has made with its transit system. It's one thing to acknowledge that we've made extraordinary advances in an extraordinarily short period of time. But it's another thing entirely to say that Salt Lake has a top-three transit system. Because we don't. Why? Bus service is lacking. As is late night and Sunday service across all modes. That holds us back significantly.

Maybe to you, but you want to know something? Buses dont run AT ALL on Sundays in the Greater Seattle area. Also, SLC having a top 3 transit is NOT my opinion, rather it is information I had been given from multiple sources OUTSIDE the state of Utah. Wouldnt you think me being from Seattle I would have a little hometown bias and claim them to have a top transit? But that sir, I will not, because the truth is Seattles transit is terrible and is now trying to play catch up. Portland only bests Salt Lake currently.

[youngatheist]

Is SLC really a Top 3 transit place? I've lived in CA and OR (moving to SLC next month) and I think nothing beats BART so it's hard to not see that on the list. I also know the Northeast is good for public transit but since I've never been there I dunno.

Although I must agree with County that they really do need late-night service.

[Zmapper]

Originally Posted by SLC_Rising

Maybe to you, but you want to know something? Buses dont run AT ALL on Sundays in the Greater Seattle area.

Not true. Even if you only look at Snohomish County (this county hardly construes but a portion, not "ALL" of Greater Seattle) which eliminated Sunday bus service on their countywide transit system, still retains a full schedule on the main Seattle-Everett Sound Transit Express bus route. The other transit agencies, King County Metro, Pierce, Everett, etc run full Sunday schedules.

Also, SLC having a top 3 transit is NOT my opinion, rather it is information I had been given from multiple sources OUTSIDE the state of Utah.

Please cite those sources.

Wouldnt you think me being from Seattle I would have a little hometown bias and claim them to have a top transit? But that sir, I will not, because the truth is Seattles transit is terrible and is now trying to play catch up. Portland only bests Salt Lake currently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._cities_with_high_transit_ridership

15. Seattle, Washington - 18.19%
28. Portland, Oregon - 12.07%

Salt Lake City doesn't even register.