Estimated read time: 4-5 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
DRAPER — Nearly two years after the Utah Transit Authority launched its "UTA On Demand" microtransit pilot program, the agency is satisfied with the results.
UTA is set to expand the program and officially make it a permanent fixture within its public transit portfolio beginning Sunday as it shifts around other public transit schedules. It's among several big adjustments beginning that day, which will also include longer and more frequent FrontRunner and TRAX service.
Under the UTA On Demand changes, microtransit vans will run from 4 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. on weekdays and from 6 a.m. Saturday to 1:15 a.m. Sunday on weekends in Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, South Jordan and Riverton, as well as parts of Sandy. It replaces UTA's previous F504, F546, F547 and F518 Flex bus service routes.
UTA announced it will implement a new app called "UTA On Demand" that replaces "UTA on Demand by Via" as a part of the permanent rollout.
The new app, which is available for download on app stores, allows users to request a route to other UTA transit services or anywhere else within the service map, sort of like a rideshare app. The service map, which is close to 65 square miles, includes the South Jordan and Draper FrontRunner stations, as well as the red and blue TRAX line's south terminus locations: Daybreak Station in South Jordan and Draper Town Center.
"This technology matches multiple riders headed in a similar direction into a single-vehicle with routing that allows for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours or relying on fixed-route schedules," UTA wrote in a statement.
The service costs $2.50 for a one-way trip, which is the same as UTA's current bus fare. Officials say riders who use mobility devices can select a wheelchair accessibility option on the app to request a ride from an accessible van. Those without a mobile phone can also book a ride by calling 385-217-8191.
UTA also began testing out its on-demand service in downtown Salt Lake City earlier this year. The weekend pilot program there is still set to end Sept. 4.
FrontRunner, TRAX, UVX to run more frequently
UTA also plans to enhance both FrontRunner and TRAX service beginning Sunday to the closest frequency levels since it stripped back service at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
For instance, all three TRAX lines (blue, green and red) will run every 15 minutes at all times of the day on weekdays for the first time in over a year. The agency previously restored some 15-minute frequency on weekdays but only until about 7 p.m., when it switches to a 30-minute frequency to end the day.
The S-Line in South Salt Lake and Sugar House will also run every 15 minutes on weekdays. Both TRAX and the S-Line will continue to run every 30 minutes on weekends. It ran every 20 minutes on weekends before COVID-19.
FrontRunner trains will run one hour longer on weekdays and two hours longer on weekends beginning next week, as well. The new schedule also includes a new 5:38 a.m. train from Ogden to Provo and a new 3:16 p.m. train from Provo on weekdays.
UTA also plans to extend its Utah Valley Express service in Utah County. The UVX rapid transit service will be extended past midnight beginning next week and its schedule will align more closely with the FrontRunner schedule, according to the agency.
Other notable changes
There are quite of few other changes beyond microtransit, rapid transit and railways.
In addition to the Flex Bus routes being replaced by UTA on Demand, UTA plans to switch some routes to Flex Bus service. Bus routes 11 (covering the Avenues in Salt Lake City), 232 (3200 West in mid-Salt Lake Valley), 525 (West Jordan) and 526 (12600 South) will be eliminated and replaced with F11, F202, F232 and F525.
F11 and F232 will continue to run similar routes, just with smaller Flex Bus service instead. F11 will also no longer reach 13th Avenue in Salt Lake City.
F202 is a Flex Bus route that will replace most of the old Route 525, running between Bingham Junction and the Sandy Civic Center TRAX stations. F525 is a Flex Bus route that will run between the Midvale Center TRAX station and South Jordan FrontRunner station.
Smaller tweaks were made to the schedules for a few dozen other bus routes throughout Utah, which will also go into effect Sunday. A list of all changes coming Sunday can be found here.
