UTA Boost Service for Football Game

Image via WikipediaFor those heading to the big rivalry game this weekend:

UTA Boosts Service for University of Utah/BYU Football Game

The Utah Transit Authority is encouraging the public to avoid traffic and parking congestion by taking public transportation to the University of Utah versus Brigham Young University football game, scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at 4 p.m.

To accommodate crowds heading to the football game, UTA will operate three additional TRAX vehicles to and from Rice Eccles Stadium and one extra FrontRunner train from Ogden for increased capacity Saturday afternoon.

Four light rail trains will leave Sandy Civic Center Station at 2:40 p.m., 2:55 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 3:25 p.m. These trains will stop at all stations between Sandy and the Courthouse Station, and then travel to the University line’s to the Stadium station

After the football game, there will be three TRAX trains dispatched from the Stadium Station to Sandy Civic Center and all stops in between.

FrontRunner will run an extra commuter rail train leaving Ogden at 1:38 p.m. There will also be an extra train from Salt Lake Central Station that will leave when needed after the game.

Remember to buy a round trip ticket or family pass to avoid the line at the Stadium Station after the game. FrontRunner round trip tickets and family passes are also valid on TRAX.

Besides this extra service, regular Saturday TRAX and FrontRunner run as scheduled.

For more information, visit www.rideuta.com.

Additional TRAX trains for U of U football game...

Image by Timmy Chaves via Flickr

UTA Increases Service for Saturday’s University of Utah Football Game

The Utah Transit Authority is encouraging the public to avoid traffic and parking congestion by taking public transportation to the University of Utah versus Colorado State football game, scheduled for Saturday, October 18 at 12 p.m.

To accommodate crowds heading to the football game, UTA will operate three additional TRAX vehicles to and from Rice Eccles Stadium for increased capacity Saturday afternoon.

Three light rail trains will leave Sandy Civic Center Station at 10:27 a.m., 10:42 a.m., and 10:57 a.m. These trains will stop at all stations between Sandy and the Courthouse Station, and then travel to the University line’s to the Stadium station. The three TRAX trains are scheduled to arrive on campus at approximately 11:08 a.m., 11:23 a.m., and 11:38 a.m.

After the football game, there will be three TRAX trains dispatched from the Stadium Station to Sandy Civic Center, and all stops in between.

Besides this extra service, regular Saturday TRAX service will run every 15 minutes, as scheduled.

For more information, please visit www.rideuta.com.

Blog Entries of Note...

Image via WikipediaFrom the Bike Utah Valley Blog comes important information:

Mountainland Transportation Planning Meeting

It is important to get out and have your voices heard. The people with the extreme political bent are always out there trying to say they represent the majority so it is important that the average person is present to let the bureaucrats know what is truly needed.

From the California High Speed Rail Blog:

Quantifying Prop 1A's Economic Stimulus

California has proposition 1A on the ballot that would support construction of a high speed rail line from San Francisco to Southern California. The blog talks about a study that shows the benefits the system would bring.

From the Track Twenty-Nine Blog:

Transit 101

We are lucky here in Salt Lake that the University of Utah was progressive when it comes to transportation planning. Too many Universities are still living in the 50's and don't want their students to have easy access to transit. It would be interesting to see the correlation between who the universities get donations from and their anti-transit attitude.

From the Overhead Wire Comes:

San Francisco May Do Fees Right

San Fransisco is looking toward rewarding developers who locate near transit when it comes to impact fees.

Transportation Secretary Short List

While I am trying to stay out of the Presidential election, this posting shows the possible candidates for Transportation Secretary in each administration. Notice that the one side favors highway lobbyist. What do you really think their transportation priorities will be?

From Streetsblog Los Angeles:

“Best of Streetfilms:” San Francisco Giants’ Bike Valet Parking

Valet parking for bicycles?

Governor Signs Complete Streets Legislation

I mentioned this legislation before. Amazing the Governor in California actually signed this considering how he is steeling transit funding to support highways.

From the RT Rider (Sacramento) comes:

"Park District" funding for transit

John from the RT Rider looks toward some creative financing ideas for transit. As I have mentioned in the last couple of days the biggest problem we currently have is that our transit funding is tied to a very volatile form of taxation. John has one way we could deal with the situation.

From the N-Judah Chronicles out of San Francisco:

A Modest Proposal For Purchasing MUNI Passes and Tickets...

MUNI in San Francisco is looking toward putting ticket machines in select places throughout the city in order to make it easier to board trains and buses. The author has the idea that these type of machines should be used to sell passes also.

How about putting ticketing machines at busy bus stops around along the Wasatch Front and make it possible to sell monthly passes out of them? On top of that, how about creating a tourist pass like I used in Miami that gives multiple days of riding for a low price to encourage visitors to use transit.

From the Cap'n Transit Rides Again Blog:

Why we need the bailout plan - NOT!

The blog talks about comments from Senator Reid that we needed the bailout to sell more cars and be able to put people in debt for those cars.

From the Baltimore Innerspace Blog Comes:

Owings Mills

A wonderful posting on how to make a transit station work better. Just look at the development of the new hospital complex and how unfriendly it is toward the transit station that is right across the street. Instead of building a complex that would complement the station IHC built a complex in spite of the transit connection.

UTA Advisory

Image via Wikipedia

UTA Service Changes for U of U Football, General Conference Weekend

UTA encourages the public to avoid traffic and parking congestion the next few days by taking public transportation to the University of Utah football game at Rice Eccles Stadium and General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square.

To accommodate the crowds heading downtown, UTA will operate additional TRAX vehicles service to increase capacity Thursday evening, Saturday and Sunday. FrontRunner Commuter Rail will NOT be in service on Sunday, October 5.

Thursday, October 2: TRAX will operate three extra Sandy-University direct trains before and after the University of Utah/Oregon State (kickoff 7 p.m.) Northbound at 5:43 p.m., 5:58 p.m., and 6:13 p.m. UTA will also provide three extra University to Sandy TRAX trains after the game.

Saturday, October 4: Both TRAX and FrontRunner will operate on its regular Saturday schedule with this additional service:

TRAX Light Rail:

Extra northbound departures from Sandy at 8:16 a.m., 8:31 a.m., 8:46 a.m., 9:01 a.m., 11:46 a.m., 12:01 p.m., 12:46 p.m., 1:01 p.m., 3:46 p.m., 4:01 p.m., 4:46 p.m., and 5:01 p.m. Also, there will be at least two extra trains from the City Center station to Sandy following each session.

FrontRunner Commuter Rail:

Extra southbound departures from Ogden on Saturday 7:53 a.m., 11:53 a.m., and 4:53 p.m.

Extra trains departing northbound from Salt Lake at 12:55 p.m., 4:44 p.m., and 8:55 p.m.

Sunday, October 5:

TRAX Light Rail:

Extra northbound departures from Sandy at 7:34 a.m., 7:54 a.m., 8:14 a.m., 8:34 a.m., 12:14 p.m., 12:34 p.m., and 12:54 p.m. Also, there will be at least two extra trains from the City Center station to Sandy following each session.

FrontRunner Commuter Rail: There will be no service Sunday, Oct. 5.

TRAX service will run every 15 minutes, as scheduled, throughout the day on Saturday and every 20 minutes on Sunday. The City Center and Temple Square stations provide the closest access to the LDS Conference Center.

Becker trying to slow U of U project?

Becker tries to slow U.'s plan for development

U of U narrowing options for Stadium TRAX TOD

Image via WikipediaHere is a new article that has come out about the proposed development between the Stadium TRAX station and the stadium itself.

U. to identify finalists for commercial development on campus

Of course any development in an existing area brings out the NIMBY's. One of the most insincere arguments is that it will bring "vagrants".

The more real argument is that it could harm independently owned small businesses like those along 200 South. Without incentives small business owners will not be able to afford the rents at this complex. Ironically, some chain stores will get sweetheart deals that practically gives them free rent.

The University needs to be a good partner in the community and insure that smaller business have opportunities when developing their TOD plans. The developer will most likely want only chain stores in the complex so it will up to the University to insure that small businesses are taken care of.

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• Survey: Most new jobs come from small businesses

University of Utah embraces TOD

Image via WikipediaArticle in the Trib today about plans of the University of Utah to turn itself into a more pedestrian friendly campus. Plans include replacing much of the surface parking with parking garages and concentrating development along the TRAX lines.

The University should be applauded for its efforts over the years to encourage its students to take TRAX and the bus. While Universities much like airports gain revenue from parking which many times will cloud their judgment when it comes to promoting transit service, it is clear that the U of U has seen that transit plays an important role in moving its students.

The boldest part of the plan is to replace the parking lot between the Stadium TRAX station and the Stadium itself with a huge mixed used complex that will include residential, office, retail, restaurants and entertainment. Not only will this benefit students at the U, it will also help those of use who transfer from TRAX to buses at that location. I often transfer from TRAX to the 213 or 220 and it will be nice to be able to do something while waiting for the bus or TRAX. You add the streetcar from my earlier proposal and you have a major entertainment destination. I hope that the University will encourage locally owned businesses to be a major part of this complex and doesn't give into chain phobia.

Another outstanding part of the plan is to replace temporary buildings near the Fort Douglas TRAX stop and replace them with new housing. This will put students directly on the TRAX line and allow them easy access to downtown shopping and entertainment and further reduce the need for the automobile.

By the way lets put some basic economics here. These developments will encourage transit use, not only TRAX but also the bus. It will encourage more people to ride them thus creating more revenue, revenue that then could be used to improve the bus system. As I have stated, the present problem is not the management at UTA, it is the fact that it is hard to take the bus in the Salt Lake Valley and once again not because of the route structure but because our streets, sidewalks and developments do not encourage transit use. Heck, as I have stated a million times, here we are in the 21st Century and when it is dark you need a flash light to flag down a bus do to the lack of streetlights. We have problems in Salt Lake, but the problems isn't were some misguided people think they are.

Lots of Transit Related Articles Today...

TRAX construction at the Intermodal Depot
Originally uploaded by jmdspk

Here are the articles of the day:

New look for lot at University of Utah

Open house to discuss airport TRAX line

Train is out in front: Test runs preparing UTA's FrontRunner for commuters

UTA incorporating smart-tech for fares

The Fine Print: Transportation fee increases again

Woman killed while crossing street

Davis residents to pay transit tax

UTA Poorly Serves Destinations

If you are traveling to the University of Utah, Gateway Center, the Delta Center or any other destination served by directly by TRAX, you will have an easy time getting there. But if your destination is served by a bus, good luck, you might be able to get there or you many not because UTA poorly serves destinations.

A perfect example of this is the Southtown Mall. You can get close by TRAX but from there you have to take a bus. On Saturdays you may be able to get a bus in an hour or so but that is it. On weekdays you have a little more luck as couple of routes do serve the mall but UTA does a poor job of directing people from TRAX to the mall. There is no signs telling people when a where a bus heads to the mall. Considering it is a major destination, UTA should improve getting people to the mall especially since its one of the few malls that actually allows buses to service the mall.

Jordan Commons and the Southtown Expo center are another pair of destinations that has pathetic bus service. The route only runs Monday through Friday (although night service does run on Saturdays). Jordan Commons went to the point of renting a Double Decker bus to run from the Sandy Civic Center TRAX station to Jordan Commons. However, these places will get a TRAX station that should be opening next spring.

Another major destination is Jordan Landing. This relatively new shopping center was designed to be transit center. However route 82 that directly serves the center has been cut back to Weekdays only and if you want to travel there on Saturdays you have to ride the 42 which is a north/south route. In addition if you ride the 42 you a have to walk almost a full block then cross a very dangerous intersection and take your life into your hands.

This is just a few examples of major destinations that are poorly served by the UTA. When UTA reorganizes its bus service in the next year it needs to look at the places that people want to travel and ensure that bus service is provided to those destinations.

Changes to Eastside Bus Service

Image via WikipediaWhile the UTA has made some changes to the eastside bus service since the opening of the University TRAX overall there was been very little change over many years. In fact looking at some timetables from going back to the early days of UTA shows very little change in bus routes.
If you look at bus service from Downtown to the University you have multiple routes serving all the way from South Temple down to the TRAX line on 400 South. In fact the only street without bus service is 300 South. This is just overkill but it goes back to the fact that there has been very little major changes in bus service over the years and that is one of the problems with the UTA.

While little has been revealed on the proposed bus reorganization that will most likely reduce bus in the wrong spots, I will give my opinion on how eastside bus service should be reorganized looking at it from someone who rides the system and sees the needs of the riders.

Route 5: Discontinued.

Route 7: Discontinued. Southern portion replaced by new route.

Routes 5 and 7 run along 100 South eliminating all service from 100 South, however it still leaves frequent bus service on South Temple and 200 South just one block north and one block south.

Route 8: Service Increased to every 15-minutes.

Route 11: Service increased to every 15-minutes. Service extended from Fort Union Blvd and 1300 East via 1300 East and 7800 South to Midvale Central TRAX station

New Route: Would run from University Hospital, Medical Center Drive, Wasatch Drive, Foothill Drive, 3300 South, 3300 East, 2920 South (Louise Ave), 2700 East, 2900 South, 2880 South (Lakeview Drive), 2300 East, 2810 South (Atkin), 2140 East (Connor), 2700 South, 300 West, to Millcreek TRAX station (this route should eventually extended to west along 3100 South to Magna). Route should run every 30 minutes using 30-foot buses and would provide alternating 15-minute service with route 14 along Foothill Blvd.

New Route: Would run from University Hospital via Medical Center Drive, Wasatch Drive, 2100 East, Parley Canyon Blvd, 2000 East, 2700 South, Imperial, 3300 South, 1300 East, Brickyard Road/1100 East, 4500 South, 900 East, 5300 South, and Vine Street to Murray Central TRAX station. This route would run every 30-minutes with 30-foot buses. This route would provide a good north/south route providing service to the University of Utah Hospital, University of Utah, Brickyard Plaza, St. Marks Hospital and the Murray Central TRAX station including the new hospital complex being built there.

This revamp of bus service would reduce duplicate bus service, increase bus service on important streets, plus create a couple of new routes that would service portion of routes being discontinued but also provide service to areas not currently receiving service and provide bus service in directions not currently served.