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SALT LAKE CITY — In an effort to tackle Utah's air quality and increase access to public transportation, Salt Lake City and the Utah Transit Authority have teamed up on an annual pass allowing access to UTA's services for less than $1 a day.
The Salt Lake City Hive Pass is good for one year and offers unlimited access to UTA Trax, Frontrunner, buses and the S-line streetcar for a one-time payment of $350 or 12 monthly payments of $30. The pass, which is currently available only to Salt Lake City residents, was launched at an event at Salt Lake City's Main Library Saturday.
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and UTA General Manager Mike Allegra were on hand to debut the pass, which is being offered as part of a pilot program between the city and UTA.
“As we continue our work on addressing air quality issues on many fronts, I see this new, very affordable option for our residents as a major step in the right direction,” Becker said in a news release. “The Hive Pass is available for essentially what a rider would spend on six round-trips a month, and I look forward to the program creating many new transit users and getting more cars off the roads.”
Salt Lake City spokesman Art Raymond said Saturday's event began at 10 a.m., but that people began lining up just after 9 a.m. He said official totals were still being finalized Saturday evening, but hundreds of passes were sold before the event closed at 3 p.m.
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Members of the Utah Transit Authority Board of Trustees met Monday with Salt Lake City Council members to review achievements for the year and discuss future collaborative objectives."We consider it a great success for our opening moment," Raymond said.
He said the Hive Pass has been in the works for approximately two years. While it is a pilot program, they are hopeful it will be successful and eventually extended to other municipalities. Though it has the same restrictions as the Ed Pass and Eco Pass, it can still be used throughout UTA's system statewide.
Permanent sales locations at the Salt Lake City and County Building, Salt Lake Public Utilities Office and Sorenson Unity Center will be open Monday. Mobile sales opportunities will also be available at all of Salt Lake's public libraries and the downtown Winter Farmer's Market.
Those seeking more information, including confirmation on whether they qualify as a Salt Lake City resident, can visit ridethehive.com.
