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SALT LAKE CITY — Getting to Utah's Capitol Hill could be less stressful for those willing to park their vehicles and take the bus.
In an effort to alleviate parking congestion and reduce air pollution, the Utah Transit Authority is adding extra transit service to the state Capitol for the 2016 legislative session. The bus service begins on Monday, the first day lawmakers convene, and will continue through Thursday, March 10, when the session ends.
The 500 Special Capitol Connector will run from the Courthouse TRAX Station to the east side of the Capitol and to the FrontRunner station on North Temple. The temporary route is designed to provide an alternative to driving for lawmakers and others who work at the Capitol and encourage both lawmakers and others to improve air quality, said UTA chief planning officer Matt Sibul.
When combined with the current Route 500, there will be frequent bus service every 15 minutes connecting to both FrontRunner and TRAX, running five days a week.
Currently, Route 500 has 53 scheduled daily trips to and from the Capitol. Beginning next week, the Capitol Connector will more than double service, he noted.
The added trips extend service from the Capitol to about 8:30 p.m. — both to the Courthouse Station and to the FrontRunner North Temple Station. The existing Route 500 service typically runs its last trip from the Capitol to North Temple at 6:43 p.m. and to Courthouse Station at 7:20 p.m., Sibul said.
"The legislative session is often held during a time of winter inversions which can result in poor air quality," said UTA interim President and CEO Jerry Benson. "We hope that this extra service will give people an opportunity to try UTA and encourage them to make public transportation part of their everyday lives."
Several lawmakers voiced their support of the new service, noting that using transit will reduce traffic congestion and address the area's critical air quality issues as well as invite more "citizen participation" during the legislative session.
"It's been really difficult to invite the citizenry up to the Capitol when you know they will be driving around the neighborhood for an hour trying to find a place to park," said Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake. "This (service) will provide an opportunity for folks to come up and engage in the (legislative) process."
Utah Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Alan Matheson said the new service sets a positive example for the public who looks to civic leaders for solutions to the area's environmental concerns, as well as improving accessibility for everyone.
"(You) don't have to worry about parking and know that you're improving air quality and there is convenience involved," he said. "Instead of having to walk a long distance to the Hill, you get dropped off right at the (Capitol) steps." E-mail: jlee@deseretnews.com Twitter: JasenLee1
