Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) -- The FrontRunner train line from Utah County to Salt Lake City might open six months later -- in early 2013 instead of mid-2012 -- because of the struggling economy, Utah Transit Authority officials said.
But UTA said it can push up the opening date for the TRAX light-rail line going to the Salt Lake City International Airport to 2013 and can open the line headed to Draper two years early, in 2012. That's possible because their operating budgets are small compared with FrontRunner, UTA general Manager John Inglish said Wednesday at a budget committee meeting.
"We are certainly not in the (bad) shape of a lot of transit systems," Inglish said.
UTA budget officials have dropped projected tax revenue growth for 2009 from 4.5 percent to 1.5 percent, and they expect to get $73 million less in tax revenues between now and 2015.
By delaying the opening of the Utah County rail line to reduce operating costs, UTA saves $10 million. Construction of the train line will continue on schedule and if the economy recovers, UTA could cancel the delay.
Provo Mayor Lewis Billings said his constituents will be disappointed to hear that FrontRunner will fall behind the TRAX lines. But he said he understands budget troubles are facing everyone.
UTA has already addressed some of its funding problems through administrative cuts and fuel surcharges on fares.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
