UTA Ridership Jumps in Weber and Davis Counties

OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- The Utah Transit Authority says rising gasoline prices and expanded service are behind a 19 percent increase in riders in Davis and Weber counties in 2005.

More than 298,000 people a month board UTA buses in Northern Utah, and ridership in the two counties north of Salt Lake City continues to grow each month, officials said.

UTA officials cited several reasons for the growth, including rising gasoline prices, expanded service to Davis Applied Technology College and Weber State University and UTA's low accident rate.

"We lead the nation in (low) accident rates," Art Bowen, UTA regional general manager, said. "UTA has 0.7 accidents per 100,000 miles, which is extremely safe, while the national average is 1.5 to 2 accidents per 100,000 miles."

Last week, commuters lined up at the park-and-ride near the Layton Hills Mall to catch the UTA's No. 72 express. The bus whisks passengers to downtown Salt Lake City in about 45 minutes.

John Anderson, of Layton, takes the 7:48 a.m. express to work. He said riding the bus into Salt Lake City for work allows his wife to use their family's only car.

"The bus drops me off just around the corner from my office," Anderson said. "My wife works in Clearfield, so it's easier and cheaper for her to drive."

He added that, unlike earlier express buses to Salt Lake City, there is almost always a seat available.

The No. 72 bus is one of four lines that run between Ogden and Salt Lake City daily. UTA officials said they have 87 buses heading south from Weber and Davis counties every day during the work week and 88 buses heading north back into the suburbs.

"Ninety-eight percent of our commuter-service riders own cars," UTA spokesman Justin Jones said. "They choose to ride with us, rather than fight traffic themselves."

Jones said part of the appeal may be the amenities offered on the over-the-road coaches.

"These coaches are nicer buses that offer laptop plug-ins and lighting and air vents like commercial airlines have," Jones said. "They are also a quiet and more comfortable ride."

UTA officials say new buses and expanded services are attracting better-paid workers. A new onboard bus survey UTA conducted showed a little more than 8 percent of its local-service riders make at least $50,000 a year. Those same income-earners make up 31 percent of express bus users. About 40 percent of UTA riders have low incomes.

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Information from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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