Federal Priorities and Initiatives
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2021 Federal Priorities and Initiatives i UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY | MARCH 2021UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY UTA • FEDERAL PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES On March 23, 2020, the Utah Transit Authority celebrated its 50th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, we now serve over 80% of Utah’s population and board tens of millions each year. Our trajectory is forward and our momentum strong. We see the coming year and decade ahead filled withopportunity , driven by growth. UTA’s first headquarters Growth is a familiar theme at UTA. Utah is the A top policy priority and cornerstone of our network nation’s third fastest growing state. We are home is UTA’s 83-mile FrontRunner commuter rail system. to the second (St. George) and sixth (Orem-Provo, Traveling north and south through Utah’s four most which is part of our service district) fastest growing populous counties, FrontRunner has redefined what metropolitan areas in the country. Public transit is it means to connect with opportunity in the Beehive among our state’s top policy priorities to manage State. Riders can transfer from this transit backbone this growth while protecting our environment, to most of our service district via Bus Rapid Transit, supporting communities in need, and preserving light rail, regular bus, microtransit and other modes. our quality of life. Currently, our ridership is impacted by COVID-19 We need federal support to attain the policy goals and in the wake of the ongoing pandemic, our and community potential of our transit vision. UTA communities are assessing their future transportation encourages the Biden-Harris administration to needs and options. We are seeing students and move forward on a robust surface transportation workers return to transit, particularly where they have authorization bill early in 2021. access to more innovative, convenient options like microtransit and BRT lines. FrontRunner’s 30-minute 2 2021 peak schedule, however, is an obstacle for many who “We have been wanting to bond for some roads would use more frequent, convenient rail service. and double-track FrontRunner for a couple of years. It’s likely we will try and get it done this We are excited by the support that our state leaders year. … Those express trains could shave 20 have expressed for expanding FrontRunner’s capacity minutes or more off the commute time. It’s the and increased frequency. For over a year, we have been biggest thing we can do to ease congestion discussing proposals to add double-tracking at certain along the I-15 corridor.” strategic points along the system. Recently, ahead of – House Majority Whip Mike Schultz their 2021 legislative session, state-elected officials “We have record in-migration and the have voiced support for these critical improvements. transportation needs of the state are getting acute. … We’re going to have to find a way to address those sooner or later.” – House Speaker Brad Wilson https://www.sltrib.com/news/ politics/2020/12/08/lawmakers-say-next- years/ In his speech presenting his 2021 budget, Governor Spencer Cox said double-tracking FrontRunner in high-congestion areas “has to be a top priority.” This document outlines our priorities and initiatives—including FrontRunner double-tracking—that have a federal nexus. We are committed to continuing to work hand in hand with you in 2021 and beyond. We can assure you of the continuing commitment, effort and investment from our state and local partners here in Utah. CARLTON BETH JEFF CHRISTENSEN HOLBROOK ACERSON BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR/ BOARD OF TRUSTEES/REPRESENTING BOARD OF TRUSTEES/REPRESENTING REPRESENTING SALT LAKE COUNTY DAVIS, WEBER & BOX ELDER COUNTIES UTAH & TOOELE COUNTIES 3 UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY UTA • FEDERAL PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR At UTA, the challenges of 2020 have sharpened our focus and we have a clear vision forward. Utahns are increasingly concerned about air quality and the environment. Their travel patterns are evolving. Many of our riders depend on UTA as their sole means of transportation. We understand the community’s transit preferences and obstacles. As an agency, we’re more attuned than ever to the of emergency funds to address COVID-19 needs, and mobility and connection needs of those in our service we express appreciation for some $32 million of that area. In addressing those needs, we also recognize the funding expected to aid public transit in Utah. vital role of our federal partnerships. We’ve seen fluctuations in rider behavior through We are grateful for our elected members of Congress the course of the pandemic. Consistent with other for the CARES Act that provided emergency agencies, our ridership dropped last year and has funding for the unanticipated costs of responding to very gradually been coming back. We continue to COVID-19. Those costs and our corresponding efforts carry our core customers: essential frontline workers have tested the limits of our capabilities as an agency, and responders, those without other means of and I’m pleased to report that our employees have transportation, and those who have made transit a risen to the occasion and performed exceptionally. part of their lifestyle. As some students, commuters and other riders have begun returning, we have UTA believes in being a good steward of funding increased service, adding vehicles to allow for received. It has worked hard to provide essential required social distancing. To date, we’ve restored service to our communities without laying off any 91% of our pre-COVID-19 service. of our dedicated employees. UTA understands that maintaining access to jobs, health care and essential In a society and economy transformed by COVID-19, services is important to our riders. many Utahns are, and will be, exploring travel options that fit their changing needs. A key to making transit We greatly appreciate the Federal Transit an easy choice is flexibility. There are three keys to Administration’s (FTA) providing masks, supplies and UTA’s vision for increasingly attractive, other resources to support our safe operations and flexible transit service. help protect our riders. Masks are required on our transit system and, thanks to FTA, are available on all our vehicles. While UTA has proactively implemented strong safety measures since day one, the costs of the pandemic continue to strain our resources and impact our operations. We recognize and thank the Congress and Utah’s congressional delegation for the passage 4 2021 FrontRunner Expansion To fulfill the vast potential of these opportunities, Over 70% of our FrontRunner corridor is single we need federal support and partnership. tracked. This limits the frequency of our station stops to every 30 minutes and it gives us a very narrow We are encouraged by the COVID-19 relief granted as operating window when it comes to schedules and part of appropriations, the incoming administration’s unforeseen conditions. Adding double-tracking at priority for additional emergency funding, as well strategic locations will allow for faster and more as the prospect for a robust surface transportation frequent service throughout the region. reauthorization bill. Partnership with our federal colleagues has allowed Bus Rapid Transit us to make great strides in connecting people to Building on the success of our Utah Valley Express opportunity in Utah. UTA is grateful to Congressman (UVX) system, we are launching or developing Curtis who co-sponsored the TRAIN Act (H.R.5903) additional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects across the in 2020. This bill would expand the authority of the Wasatch Front. Riders across our service district are Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide fixed becoming more familiar with, and are adopting in their guideway capital investment grants. We support plans for work, school and entertainment, the fast, passage of this important legislation. convenient benefits of BRT. Additionally, the safety of our systems is the result • Ogden – Weber State University Bus Rapid of constant diligence and federal partnership. During Transit: to support a growing community in the 2020, UTA was among the first commuter railroad northern part of our region, with construction to services to obtain positive train control (PTC) begin in spring 2021 certification by the Federal Railroad Administration. • Point of the Mountain Transit: a BRT study entering its environmental phase to serve an Utah is known for its culture of highly collaborative, constructive intergovernmental relations. I look expanding “Silicon Slopes” community and region forward to working with you as we move forward • New BRT corridors: to connect Salt Lake/Davis together in fulfilling UTA’s transit vision. County and provide a mid-valley connection between Murray, Taylorsville and West Valley Innovative Mobility Technology UTA has completed and is extending a successful pilot of microtransit service in the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley. Other communities are anxious to be enrolled. To facilitate convenient payment on microtransit and other modes, we are preparing for pilot demonstration e-vouchers. We are also moving to the next phase of demonstrating the capabilities of CAROLYN M. GONOT an autonomous vehicle in partnership with the Utah EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Department of Transportation. 5 UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY UTA • FEDERAL PRIORITIES AND INITIATIVES Bus service to Sandy, Salt Lake, 1970 • Murray Extension of bus service to Weber, 1973 • UTA – A CONTINUING Davis counties UTA begins ski service to the 1976 LEGACY OF COMMUNITY • Cottonwood Canyons SERVICE 1985 • Utah County bus service begins 1999 • TRAX Blue Line begins service Fifty years after its founding, UTA’s focus remains on serving the community. Our approach to service 2001 TRAX Red Line begins service to • the University of Utah starts and ends with our customers, and our integrated, multimodal transit network has been built 2003 TRAX Red Line extended to Medical around community needs and future growth. • Center The UTA’s community-focused process begins with FrontRunner begins service public input.