Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[Cirrus]

Have I shared with you guys before? Can't remember. Apologies if this is a repost. But I ran across this picture and thought it was really great.


from photo dean on flickr

[Future Mayor]

That is a pretty cool picture. Now if we can just get some mid rises (8-12 stories) right on 400 S, that would make that corridor so urban.

[UTPlanner]

It makes the TRAX corridor look like a roller coaster with all the curves.

[brankrom]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

It makes the TRAX corridor look like a roller coaster with all the curves.

I was thinking the same thing. I ride it regularly and it's a rough ride ride when the driver is pushing 35 cruising through those curves.

[stayinginformed]

Originally Posted by brankrom

I was thinking the same thing. I ride it regularly and it's a rough ride ride when the driver is pushing 35 cruising through those curves.

When they designed the TRAX Line along North Temple to the Airport, they took complaints about the 4th south line into account, and tried lessen the number of jogs in the line.

[Hatman]

I talked with my old supervisor friend again today for the first time in a while. He told me about some item's on UTA's short-term wish list to help improve ridership on its trains. I've been wrong before, so take this all with grain of salt.

FrontRunner:
Sunday service
Will be hourly service like Saturday,but with less operating hours
30 minute headways all day
While this was a part of the system improvement report mentioned a few days back, I don't think that this will happen all at once. Look for a steady increase in what UTA defines as 'peak hours' over the next few years.
5 car consists
There is going to be a special 5-car test train stopping at every station this Sunday (March 16) between 1 and 9 PM. This will test how a train with 2 commets and 3 bombardier cars will fit on the shorter platforms. Look for the extra commet cars to be added onto most trains soon if the tests have good results. In the longer term, the 'high block' section of each platform will be extended to handle more bilevel Bombardiers.
Provo-Vineyard Shuttle
This idea is kind of out there… Double track the two miles between Orem station and Vineyard station in order to run trains between Provo and Vineyard at 15 minute headways all day. The purpose is to act as a shuttle to UVU students traveling between the two campuses. The Vineyard station will begin construction this summer but won’t open for passengers for another 3 years at the earliest.

Trax:
Shorter headways
The new goal is to run trains on all lines at 12 minute headways on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. I approve.
Extended Blue Line hours
While the other lines would close at normal hours, the blue line would continue to depart from SL Central until 1:00 AM. I wonder which is better – to increase the hours of service one line at a time, or to increase the hours of all lines incrementally?
Black Line
The goal is to get the Black Line running in August, though here my friend seemed pessimistic. Apparently until the car shortage is somehow resolved (quicker maintenance schedule or more new cars) it will be impractical to try and run another line. He thinks the earliest it will open is December next year (2015) when new cars are available.

Again, take all these tidbits of information with a grain of salt – these are not plans but they are ideas that apparently have been discussed in UTA meetings. I think they’re going in the right direction.

[scottharding]

All of those changes would be very positive.

[brankrom]

Originally Posted by Hatman

I talked with my old supervisor friend again today for the first time in a while. He told me about some item's on UTA's short-term wish list to help improve ridership on its trains. I've been wrong before, so take this all with grain of salt.

FrontRunner:
Sunday service
Will be hourly service like Saturday,but with less operating hours
30 minute headways all day
While this was a part of the system improvement report mentioned a few days back, I don't think that this will happen all at once. Look for a steady increase in what UTA defines as 'peak hours' over the next few years.
5 car consists
There is going to be a special 5-car test train stopping at every station this Sunday (March 16) between 1 and 9 PM. This will test how a train with 2 commets and 3 bombardier cars will fit on the shorter platforms. Look for the extra commet cars to be added onto most trains soon if the tests have good results. In the longer term, the 'high block' section of each platform will be extended to handle more bilevel Bombardiers.
Provo-Vineyard Shuttle
This idea is kind of out there… Double track the two miles between Orem station and Vineyard station in order to run trains between Provo and Vineyard at 15 minute headways all day. The purpose is to act as a shuttle to UVU students traveling between the two campuses. The Vineyard station will begin construction this summer but won’t open for passengers for another 3 years at the earliest.

Trax:
Shorter headways
The new goal is to run trains on all lines at 12 minute headways on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. I approve.
Extended Blue Line hours
While the other lines would close at normal hours, the blue line would continue to depart from SL Central until 1:00 AM. I wonder which is better – to increase the hours of service one line at a time, or to increase the hours of all lines incrementally?
Black Line
The goal is to get the Black Line running in August, though here my friend seemed pessimistic. Apparently until the car shortage is somehow resolved (quicker maintenance schedule or more new cars) it will be impractical to try and run another line. He thinks the earliest it will open is December next year (2015) when new cars are available.

Again, take all these tidbits of information with a grain of salt – these are not plans but they are ideas that apparently have been discussed in UTA meetings. I think they’re going in the right direction.

This is cool information.

What ever happened to the Soviet Submarine VTA LRTs from San Jose? Seems they could be brought into service again for Black Line service... Or how about picking up some vintage PCC cars? I know the PCC idea is out there, but tourists like them and they are cheap, reliable and still being serviced and manufactured in Pennsylvania.

[billbillbillbill]

Originally Posted by brankrom

This is cool information.

What ever happened to the Soviet Submarine VTA LRTs from San Jose? Seems they could be brought into service again for Black Line service...

Those old cars are tarped and sitting in Midvale in a yard. One limit to using those old cars would be the handicapped ramps which are only on the blue line and the east half of the red line.
I was trying to remember is the rumored black line going from Central Station to the University or would it go from the Airport?

[StevenF]

Last thing I remember reading about the black lines distance is from Central Station to the Stadium. There was also something about the possibility to extend it as funding comes but at the moment that is as much as that line will get at the start.

[Makid]

The last update that was provided and reported on was Airport to University for the Black Line.

I will see if I can find some of the articles.

Found:

UTA may create new airport-university TRAX line
Grant » UTA wins $2M to start work, but still needs financial partners.
By Lee Davidson
| The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Jan 25 2014 01:01 am • Last Updated Jan 25 2014 08:12 pm

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57444383-90/university-airport-downtown-trax.html.csp

A new TRAX line may be coming soon that would directly connect — without transfers — the University of Utah, downtown Salt Lake City and the airport. It would use existing rails without the need of new construction, aside from some minor signal work.

The Utah Transit Authority has won $2 million toward that effort through a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant.

"It’s a short-term operating grant" that would help run the line for up to three years, said UTA General Manger Michael Allegra.

He said the estimated operating cost is about $2 million a year. So UTA must come up with commitments for about another $4 million to allow running the line for at least the three years required by the grant before it could open.

The new grant "is a kick-off, starter fund we could use. But it’s not enough money to run it" for those three years, Allegra said. "So we’re looking for other funding partners," including perhaps the city, university, businesses or others that would benefit from the line.

Allegra said UTA has no projected or even hoped-for start date yet, and that depends on finding more financial partners. "Whenever the money comes, we’ll be able to start the software development" for signals, begin the training of operators and start soon afterward. He said UTA does not need to buy any more train cars to operate the line.

The UTA used to offer direct service between the university and downtown Salt Lake City on what was once called the University Line — so needed rails and switches are in place. But when a TRAX extension was built to South Jordan, the Red Line then ran between that suburb and the university — bypassing downtown Salt Lake City unless riders transfer.

When the new airport TRAX extension was finished last year, UTA chose to connect it to the Green Line that runs through downtown Salt Lake City, then to West Valley City — and not the university — saying that allowed the most efficient configuration for the overall system.

Allegra said UTA envisions retaining the current Green, Red and Blue lines, but adding the fourth yet unnamed line to connect "with direct service the three largest traffic generators in the valley — downtown, the university and the airport."

He added the new line will probably go only as far as the Stadium station at the university, and not to the end-of-the-line Medical Center station.

The new line would also increase frequency of service at Salt Lake City stations, he said. Now, the Green and Red lines are running every 15 minutes at those stations. Adding new-line service between the already scheduled trains would increase weekday service to every 7.5 minutes between the university and downtown; 7.5 minutes between the airport, downtown and the university; and 5 minutes within the central business district (where the Blue line also runs).

Allegra said the new line could also help better connect the FrontRunner commuter rail system with the university. Those who exit it in downtown Salt Lake City need to make at least one transfer on TRAX from the Green or Blue lines, or take the No. 2 bus for direct service to the university.

Allegra said many riders have asked for the direct airport-downtown-university connection.

"I think there’s a market and a thirst for making this connection. And anytime we get anybody out of a car and onto a train, it helps the air, the energy, the congestion," he said.

[TedBell]

Originally Posted by Hatman

I talked with my old supervisor friend again today for the first time in a while. He told me about some item's on UTA's short-term wish list to help improve ridership on its trains. I've been wrong before, so take this all with grain of salt...

These are all very cool ideas. I have finally transitioned from the occasional and weekend rider to being a full-time transit rider. Improvements like these will only help gain more riders in my opinion.

[scottharding]

I'm the same way, TedBell. With the weather improving, I've parked the car and done bike and trax only. It's a much nicer lifestyle.

[CountyLemonade]

You guys. That's great news to hear. A transit- and bike-oriented lifestyle really is so much nicer mostly because you're so much more active throughout the day because of it.

In horrendous news: the Senate just circled HB388. The bill that allows counties to put transit tax measures on the ballot. It looks like it won't be heard this session.

Originally Posted by Hatman

I talked with my old supervisor friend again today for the first time in a while. He told me about some item's on UTA's short-term wish list to help improve ridership on its trains. I've been wrong before, so take this all with grain of salt.

FrontRunner:
Sunday service
Will be hourly service like Saturday,but with less operating hours
30 minute headways all day
While this was a part of the system improvement report mentioned a few days back, I don't think that this will happen all at once. Look for a steady increase in what UTA defines as 'peak hours' over the next few years.
5 car consists
There is going to be a special 5-car test train stopping at every station this Sunday (March 16) between 1 and 9 PM. This will test how a train with 2 commets and 3 bombardier cars will fit on the shorter platforms. Look for the extra commet cars to be added onto most trains soon if the tests have good results. In the longer term, the 'high block' section of each platform will be extended to handle more bilevel Bombardiers.
Provo-Vineyard Shuttle
This idea is kind of out there… Double track the two miles between Orem station and Vineyard station in order to run trains between Provo and Vineyard at 15 minute headways all day. The purpose is to act as a shuttle to UVU students traveling between the two campuses. The Vineyard station will begin construction this summer but won’t open for passengers for another 3 years at the earliest.

Trax:
Shorter headways
The new goal is to run trains on all lines at 12 minute headways on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. I approve.
Extended Blue Line hours
While the other lines would close at normal hours, the blue line would continue to depart from SL Central until 1:00 AM. I wonder which is better – to increase the hours of service one line at a time, or to increase the hours of all lines incrementally?
Black Line
The goal is to get the Black Line running in August, though here my friend seemed pessimistic. Apparently until the car shortage is somehow resolved (quicker maintenance schedule or more new cars) it will be impractical to try and run another line. He thinks the earliest it will open is December next year (2015) when new cars are available.

Again, take all these tidbits of information with a grain of salt – these are not plans but they are ideas that apparently have been discussed in UTA meetings. I think they’re going in the right direction.

Cool news on all fronts. Twelve-minute headways would definitely be a good thing. Honestly, if you had to pick one line to provide extended night service to, it really should go to the hypothetical Black Line. It makes so much more sense to provide late night service to the airport, downtown, Central City, and the U than Draper. Don't get me wrong—all TRAX lines should have late night service. But if it's just going to be one, the Blue Line isn't the best way to go.

My sources tell me that the first operating phase of the Black Line has it running between North Temple FrontRunner and Stadium. So, we'll see.

Originally Posted by billbillbillbill

Those old cars are tarped and sitting in Midvale in a yard. One limit to using those old cars would be the handicapped ramps which are only on the blue line and the east half of the red line.
I was trying to remember is the rumored black line going from Central Station to the University or would it go from the Airport?

They aren't tarped—they're sitting in the Lovendahl yard along with the SD-100s and -160s. I was going by there today and saw a few of the UTDCs with "Draper" on the headsigns. An employee was even in one of the cabs doing something. So it seems the UTDCs, peace be upon them, are ready to enter service when needed.

[stayinginformed]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

Honestly, if you had to pick one line to provide extended night service to, it really should go to the hypothetical Black Line. It makes so much more sense to provide late night service to the airport, downtown, Central City, and the U than Draper. Don't get me wrong—all TRAX lines should have late night service. But if it's just going to be one, the Blue Line isn't the best way to go.

I agree completely--and it should not be truncated. It should run all the way from the hospital to the Airport.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

You guys. That's great news to hear. A transit- and bike-oriented lifestyle really is so much nicer mostly because you're so much more active throughout the day because of it.

In horrendous news: the Senate just circled HB388. The bill that allows counties to put transit tax measures on the ballot. It looks like it won't be heard this session.

Looking into this a bit more, circling means that they will get back to the bill.

As the session goes until Midnight tonight, I do expect that they will get back to it and pass it tonight still.

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by Makid

Looking into this a bit more, circling means that they will get back to the bill.

As the session goes until Midnight tonight, I do expect that they will get back to it and pass it tonight still.

Senator Stevenson just tried to uncircle it and was voted down. The bill is dead.

[Future Mayor]

I disagree with the Black line being the one that should run until 1am. Yes some late night service from the airport would be nice, but there honestly aren't that many flights that late into the night.

I agree with the Blue line being the late line. I feel that the purpose this serves is for those that live in the burbs, want to have a night out on the town but don't want to pay a cab into and out of downtown. This allows them a few more minutes to sober up on Trax before getting into their cars. If they still need to catch a cab home, it is a much shorter ride from a Trax stop than from downtown. I think however that it needs to run until about 1:15 or 1:20 though.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by CountyLemonade

Senator Stevenson just tried to uncircle it and was voted down. The bill is dead.

I think there might have been more than 1 bill floating around as this bill: SB0188S01 did pass yesterday.

http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/SB0188.html

SB0188S01 Henderson, D. Peterson, V. LOCAL OPTION Sales Tax Amendments Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling - 3/13/2014


So it does look like we may see the transit sales tax increase up to .25% for improvements to service and frequency.

I will say though, reading the bill, I didn't see anywhere that requires the voters to vote on the resolution but rather that a City or County body would be able to increase their local sales tax by between .10% and .25%. The City would just need to notify the County of the resolution to receive their increased sales tax revenue.

If the above is the case, I think it would be great as it would reduce the need for adding it to the November ballot. It would mean that SL, Utah, Davis and Weber Counties could all increase their tax rate on July 1, 2014 (This July) the effective date of the bill, to increase service directly.

We could see increased service starting in August and further increases in December of this year.

Personally, I think that this would be better than needing to wait until voted on by the general populations of the various counties and delaying the start until April 2015 for the first changes to start.

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I disagree with the Black line being the one that should run until 1am. Yes some late night service from the airport would be nice, but there honestly aren't that many flights that late into the night.

I agree with the Blue line being the late line. I feel that the purpose this serves is for those that live in the burbs, want to have a night out on the town but don't want to pay a cab into and out of downtown. This allows them a few more minutes to sober up on Trax before getting into their cars. If they still need to catch a cab home, it is a much shorter ride from a Trax stop than from downtown. I think however that it needs to run until about 1:15 or 1:20 though.

The Black Line wouldn't be better just because of the airport. It's because it connects a big chunk of Salt Lake City proper, a chunk that is walkable and somewhat dense (downtown and Central City in particular) and very conducive to taking transit. And let's not forget about the Hive Pass, too. I think having something like the Black Line would convince quite a few people to sign up.

I'd just rather provide service to urban stations than to stations surrounded by park-and-rides, if I had to choose.

Originally Posted by Makid

I think there might have been more than 1 bill floating around as this bill: SB0188S01 did pass yesterday.

http://le.utah.gov/~2014/bills/static/SB0188.html

SB0188S01 Henderson, D. Peterson, V. LOCAL OPTION Sales Tax Amendments Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling - 3/13/2014


So it does look like we may see the transit sales tax increase up to .25% for improvements to service and frequency.

I will say though, reading the bill, I didn't see anywhere that requires the voters to vote on the resolution but rather that a City or County body would be able to increase their local sales tax by between .10% and .25%. The City would just need to notify the County of the resolution to receive their increased sales tax revenue.

If the above is the case, I think it would be great as it would reduce the need for adding it to the November ballot. It would mean that SL, Utah, Davis and Weber Counties could all increase their tax rate on July 1, 2014 (This July) the effective date of the bill, to increase service directly.

We could see increased service starting in August and further increases in December of this year.

Personally, I think that this would be better than needing to wait until voted on by the general populations of the various counties and delaying the start until April 2015 for the first changes to start.

Can we confirm that? Judging by these two tweets...:

Originally Posted by @RobertGehrke

Stevenson just tried to unicycle HB388, which allows local govts to raise sales taxes for transit and was voted down. That doesn't mean the bill is dead, but it's dead-ish. The UTA folk look absolutely stunned.