Utah Transit Authority year in review 2014 DEAR UTA STAKEHOLDERS, TRANSIT AUTHORITY

With 2015 well underway, UTA is continuing As UTA looks ahead, the agency will BOARD OF to work hard at being the best transit agency continue to lead many of the region’s transit- TRUSTEES 2014 in America, but it’s also looking back on a oriented development efforts, which are successful 2014. The agency completed its first designed to encourage the use of public H. David Burton, Chair full year of operating all five lines that were transportation rather than driving. UTA Representing the Governor a part of its FrontLines 2015 program, and will also continue its pursuit of operational of the State of Utah it was named as 2014’s Outstanding Public excellence and work to improve its current Gregory H. Hughes, Immediate Past Chair Transportation System of the Year by the 90 percent on-time reliability. In addition, Representing the cities within American Public Transportation Association. the authority will maintain its focus on Salt Lake County and the cities of Tooele and Grantsville safety by continuing its educational outreach Additionally, the agency experienced the efforts and by implementing state-of-the-art Christopher R. Bleak, Vice Chair Representing the cities within Utah County highest ridership in its history with 45 safety measures systemwide. million boardings, a 2.17 percent increase Justin Y. Allen over 2013 and a growth rate of more than UTA would like to thank you for helping the Representing the President of the Senate twice the national average. FrontRunner authority pursue excellence for more than ridership, in particular, was strong with a four decades. As we move toward a future Keith Bartholomew Representing 15 percent increase in weekday boardings. that promises expanded service, greater transit access for more people and sound Necia Christensen Representing the cities within The authority also focused on adding bus financial management, we hope you’ll ride Salt Lake County and the cities service to Hill Air Force Base, increasing along with us. Together, we’ll be prepared of Tooele and Grantsville frequency on key commuter routes and to meet the challenges that come with the Larry A. Ellertson offering campus shuttle services at Utah growth of our region. We look forward to Representing the cities within Utah County Valley University. making a difference with you. Jeff Hawker Representing the cities within Salt Lake County and the cities of Tooele and Grantsville

Charles G. Henderson Representing unincorporated Salt Lake County

Robert A. Hunter Representing the cities within Weber County and the cities of Brigham City, Perry and Willard H. David Burton Michael A. Allegra Chair, Board of Trustees President & CEO Dannie R. McConkie Representing the Utah Transportation Utah Transit Authority Commission

H. David Burton Michael A. Allegra Robert McKinley Chair, Board of Trustees President & CEO Representing the cities within Salt Lake County and the cities of Tooele and Grantsville

P. Bret Millburn Representing the cities within Davis County

UTA is a government special service district overseen by a board of trustees. Special service districts are usually smaller Michael E. Romero than a state agency but serve an area larger than traditional city or county borders. UTA serves the residents of Salt Lake, Representing the cities within Weber, Davis and Utah counties and select cities within Box Elder and Tooele counties. UTA’s funding comes primarily Salt Lake County and the cities from the municipalities within its service area. of Tooele and Grantsville Chris Sloan The UTA Board of Trustees provides broad direction, governs the Authority, and sets policies and goals on issues such Representing the cities of Brigham City, as ridership, services and financial responsibilities. Members of the board are generally appointed by the city and Perry, Willard, Grantsville and county governments within UTA’s service area that support the agency with a local-option sales tax, with some members Tooele (non-voting) appointed by the state. Troy K. Walker Board members serve four-year terms with no term limits. The size and structure of the board and the procedures for Representing the Speaker appointing its members are determined by the Utah State Legislature. of the House safety first At UTA, safety is our top priority. In 2014, the agency introduced several new initiatives designed to make the system safer for both passengers and employees. UTA successfully reduced the number of transit incidents with a 30 percent decrease in TRAX accidents, and all rail accident rates were below the agency’s goal of 0.5 accidents per 100,000 miles of travel. Avoidable bus accidents were also down, with less than one bus accident per 100,000 miles of travel.

Improving Safety Through design that will ensure platforms remain visited schools, childcare centers and Video Monitoring structurally sound for many years to come. community facilities along the S-Line to In May 2014, UTA announced the addition share tips on how to stay safe while riding All stations remained open during the streetcar and enjoying the corridor. of a new camera system to help safeguard construction and wherever possible, passengers, employees and property. The stations were only partially blocked so In total, UTA employees and transit police SmartDrive Safety camera system was customers could still access ticket vending officers delivered 249 safety presentations installed on trains, stations and buses. It machines. When more extensive work to more than 12,200 individuals at schools, allows UTA to review video in case of an was required, temporary platforms were driver’s education programs, community accident or other incident on the transit constructed to keep stations open. organizations and businesses during 2014. system, which helps determine how incidents occur and allows the agency to UTA also hosted its second Bicycle Public Awareness and make changes as needed to improve safety. Pedestrian Transit Safety Symposium. Education This symposium focused on ways local The cameras also provide bus operators UTA continued its efforts to promote planners and engineers can design rail with a level of protection that was not rail safety in 2014, with a special focus grade crossings that increase safety and previously available. Because the operator on the new S-Line. The S-Line runs in visibility. More than 125 local planners has the ability to manually activate a a unique corridor also used for hiking, and engineers attended the event. recording, they have added protection for cycling and jogging. Using grant funding security threats such as robbery, unruly from Operation Lifesaver, a national gave 249 safety presentations passengers or pedestrians, and road rage. rail safety organization, UTA staff to 12,200 individuals.

Many other transit agencies in the United States feature similar camera systems, including agencies in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Jersey, Chicago, Accountability Portland, Denver, Las Vegas, Maryland, San UTA is committed to the taxpayers and the citizens it serves. While trying to Francisco, Tulsa, Cleveland and Detroit. meet the transit needs of the community and plan for future growth, UTA Enhancing Platform Safety encourages public participation and feedback. The agency prides itself in going A major effort to improve platform safety above and beyond the legal requirements regarding public access, particularly was undertaken during the summer and for functions such as service planning, fares and project development. fall of 2014. Thirteen TRAX platforms received highly visible yellow plastic tactile strips. Work was also done to replace the Public Involvement an enhanced public involvement program concrete edges of these TRAX platforms. UTA follows rigorous guidelines with for service changes. The program is After years of use and exposure to the its outreach, including public hearing designed to increase public access and elements, the edges of some older platforms policies and procedures with mandatory participation and to promote more had started to deteriorate. The original comment periods. Beyond the legally meaningful dialogue and input. It includes edges were replaced by a longer lasting required hearings, UTA has implemented an initial scoping-type process to gather Sustainability This past year, UTA continued to embrace its role as an environmental leader in the community. Efforts focused on getting people out of their cars and on transit during heavy pollution months, improving bicycle connections to trains and buses, and continuing to convert the agency’s bus fleet to vehicles with cleaner fuel technologies.

the public’s priorities and preferences Cleaner Buses UTA is also taking steps to help paratransit for the transit system prior to holding In 2013, UTA began acquiring compressed vehicles reduce emissions and save fuel. required public open houses. In addition, natural gas (CNG) buses with the potential Currently, paratransit vehicles spend UTA creatively uses new technologies to expand the CNG fleet to more than 100 up to 30 percent of their on-road time and tactics—such as Twitter chats, online buses in the near future. Currently, the UTA idling while riders board and exit the comment forms, online surveys and bus fleet mix is approximately 45 percent bus. Paratransit operators are required to other social media tools—to share and pre-2006 diesel, 42 percent clean diesel, 7 keep the buses’ engines running during receive information from the public. percent CNG and 6 percent hybrid-electric. this time to ensure other passengers have light and heating or air conditioning. Improvement Through Evaluation Diesel (Pre-2006)...... 45% Using funds obtained from a Federal In any given year, UTA undergoes Clean Diesel...... 42% Transit Administration grant in 2014, UTA numerous evaluations including an annual CNG...... 7% plans to test a hybrid-drive system in one Hybrid...... 6% compensation audit, Homeland Security of its paratransit vehicles. The system audits, procurement audits, various is designed to capture energy when the operational and safety compliance audits, bus decelerates. The energy will then be and more. In 2014, UTA participated in The CNG bus fleet currently consists of used to help power the vehicle and run 14 separate audits on its performance and 24 on the street with more than a dozen its climate control system, lights, ramps administration and 11 safety audits in additional CNG buses to be delivered in and wheelchair lifts while the bus is addition to a comprehensive legislative 2015. Construction of a new CNG fueling stopped, eliminating the need for idling. audit. As part of its financial oversight station is also underway and expected program, UTA conducts internal financial to be completed in summer 2015. UTA is on track to reduce NOx audits and reports each year. Like most emissions from the entire bus fleet government agencies, UTA prepares a The advantage of CNG buses is money 79 percent by the year 2015. Particulate Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. savings since the fuel is locally sourced. matter (PM) is estimated to be The agency also prepares a monthly financial CNG vehicles also emit fewer air pollutants reduced by more than 60 percent. report that is reviewed by the Board of than traditional buses. By replacing its Trustees. UTA takes all audits seriously older diesel buses with CNG, UTA will RideClear and works hard to improve any areas save 1,200 tons of particulate pollution Using public transportation reduces identified as part of the review process. emissions, which is equivalent to the the amount of vehicle emissions in the weight of 60 buses. air and helps improve air quality along the . UTA again offered UTA also boasts a hybrid-electric bus fleet thousands of free transit passes in 2014 that is currently 32 strong. This technology through its RideClear program. With the combines an internal combustion engine with help of the Utah Clean Air Partnership an electric battery-powered drive. Hybrids save (UCAIR), Zions Bank and Overstock.com, fuel by making use of the power generated UTA provided more than 13,000 free from electric batteries and are in use by more passes that were used during the summer than 40 transit agencies in North America. and winter inversion months. RideClear was extremely well received with nearly 53,500 boardings by cardholders. Thousands of people performance registered for RideClear passes online or Year after year, UTA is committed to maintaining high management standards and attended giveaways held across the valley. excellent operational practices. The agency regularly receives national attention for Hundreds took to Facebook, Twitter its reputation of delivering projects ahead of schedule and under budget and for and Instagram to show how they “ride its year-over-year ridership increases. In recognition for its ongoing excellence, UTA clear” on UTA, showing when it comes was named as the 2014 Outstanding Public Transportation System by the American to keeping the air clean, Wasatch Front residents are willing to leave their cars Public Transportation Association. The 2014 award is the fourth time UTA has received at home and opt for environmentally- the honor, more than any other transit agency. UTA’s success is due to rigorous friendly modes of transportation. management, high ethical standards and strong fiscal practices that promote the wise use of taxpayer money, which is demonstrated by the agency maintaining an overhead Bike Lanes rate of approximately half the national average. UTA is always looking to improve the number of non-automobile travel options and make transit more accessible. In Ridership Reaches Record the Wasatch Front – the TRAX 2014, the agency partnered with two system. What started as a 15-mile line cities to improve bike access to public Levels Again In 2014, more than 45 million trips were running from to transit. UTA worked with Lehi City to add made on UTA’s system. Even with over 70 Sandy has grown into a 45-mile light rail a bike lane to the Murdock Canal Trail, percent of UTA riders having access to a car, system with 51 stations a mere 15 years which runs throughout Utah County and the agency increased ridership nearly every later. Since its opening on December 4, gives cyclists a convenient way to access year since 1999. During the last 15 years, 1999, through December 31, 2014, TRAX the Lehi FrontRunner Station. UTA also UTA’s ridership has doubled, growing from has provided more than 182 million rides. worked with the city of Tooele to add the 24 million boardings to 45 million boardings. community’s first bike lane along Main As a way to encourage more transit use, the Talk of a light rail system began in 1983 as Street, connecting public transit with agency has constructed 45 miles of light an idea for solving Utah’s increasing traffic several schools, parks and neighborhoods. rail and 89 miles of commuter rail during problems. A light rail option was eventually this time period, forever changing the way adopted by the Salt Lake County Commission, Bike lanes are part of an ongoing effort to Wasatch Front residents choose to travel. The but a subsequent ballot measure to fund the improve “first and last mile” solutions that dramatic increase in transit ridership over system was defeated in 1992. The following help riders get from their homes or offices the past 15 years is proof residents consider year, 32 different options were considered to to the nearest bus stop or rail station. In a public transportation a critical investment fix the region’s traffic congestion issues, but recent survey of stations along the newly for better air quality and sustainable growth. light rail kept rising to the top as the most completed Mid-Jordan TRAX line, UTA effective solution. In 1997, UTA secured a found that 27 percent of people using the Fiscal Management $250 million federal grant to build Salt Lake TRAX system either walked or rode bicycles UTA continued its 45-year history of being Valley’s first light rail line. Once Wasatch to their station platforms. Throughout financially prudent by coming in $6.7 million Front residents became familiar with 2015, the agency plans to create several under budget in 2014. UTA successfully manages TRAX, the demand for light rail increased. new bike lanes that connect cyclists with its finances through a combination of careful UTA opened its second line, running from TRAX and FrontRunner stations. annual budget development that appropriately downtown to the , in 2001. reflects service levels and anticipated revenues In 2003, the agency opened an extension of Air Quality Research and costs, long-range forecasting, and a quest for its University line to the University Medical Last year, the University of Utah continuous improvement in operations and debt Center. Light rail projects in southwest Salt teamed with UTA to measure air management. To provide strong levels of service Lake County and West Valley City opened pollutants across the valley. An air at an efficient cost, the UTA Board of Trustees, in 2011, and TRAX lines to Draper and quality monitor was installed on a staff and agency stakeholders all participate in the the Salt Lake City International Airport TRAX train, measuring pollutants like budget process. In addition, UTA holds a public debuted in 2013. In 2014, UTA’s light rail ozone, carbon dioxide and methane comment period on its annual budget before system provided 19,565,523 million rides. as the train travels across the valley. it’s approved by the board of trustees. During this time, stakeholders, as well as members of Placement of the monitor on TRAX is ideal the general public, are encouraged to review for gathering data, since the train moves the proposed budget and provide feedback across the valley but follows the same online or at a public open house or hearing. route each day, and unlike other types of vehicles TRAX doesn’t emit air pollutants TRAX Turns 15 that could skew the study’s findings. In 1999, UTA opened what has become one of the most identifiable features of Putting the Customer First

In 2014, UTA continued to implement projects to provide better information to customers in order to increase the convenience of riding transit. The agency particularly focused on the latest in real-time technologies and new payment systems.

UTA FAREPAY ramps and make it easier for riders in Building on its successful 2013 debut wheelchairs to get from the sidewalk to • 16 flex bus routes • 6,250 active bus stops of FAREPAY, UTA’s prepaid, reloadable the curb. UTA also collaborated with • 478 buses electronic fare card, the agency offered a select cities and organizations, including • 113 paratransit vehicles 20 percent off cash fare promotion for card Ogden, Centerville, Orem, Tooele and holders throughout 2014. This promotion, Hill Air Force Base, to fund the upgrades and the availability of the cards online and and complete work at the stops. repositioned search bar helps users to easily at more than 300 retailers, contributed find specific content. UTA plans to continue to significant growth in card sales. Now, The upgrades will improve the commutes to implement website improvements during FAREPAY cardholders number more than of an estimated 7,000 riders who use 2015 with a complete webpage redesign. 24,000 and have redeemed more than $2.4 the enhanced stops each day. million in transit fares. Aggregate data RideTime SMS Text Service collected from card users will help UTA Website Improvements In 2013, UTA introduced RideTime, understand service needs and improve UTA finished 2014 with the debut of an an SMS text service for riders to find planning decisions for the system. updated website. The redesigned home out bus departures at their stop in real page makes it easy to find important time. There are approximately 6,250 Bus Stop Improvements information such as fares, schedules, bus stops throughout the service district, UTA worked over the course of the year to upcoming UTA news and events, the trip and each stop has a unique location make many of its older bus stops ADA- planner and more. Information about number that riders can use to find compliant and more rider-friendly. The UTA departments, careers, advertising bus departure information. In 2014, bus stop improvements are designed to opportunities and links to the agency’s UTA installed RideTime signs at increase accessibility, especially for riders social media channels are accessible at approximately 2,400 stops, and by who use wheelchairs. Newly installed the bottom of the page. The page can be the end of the year, riders accessed cement pads allow buses to deploy their quickly translated into Spanish, and the RideTime more than 81,000 times. Projects & Services

UTA aims to continue to enhance its award-winning transit system and provide to benefit riders and improve the overall residents of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions with increased mobility, transit system. Results of the project will travel choices and regional connectivity. After completing the $2.5 billion FrontLines be presented to the public in 2015. rail expansion program and opening the region’s first modern streetcar line in 2013, Optimizing Bus Service UTA spent 2014 developing next-level transit solutions and refining its bus network UTA took advantage of its 2014 “change to serve more people with increased efficiency. days” by increasing bus service, improving on-time reliability and optimizing Mountain Accord Program Construction will be done in conjunction bus routes to better serve riders. The Mountain Accord program is a public with planned UDOT roadway improvements In April, UTA began making it easier for process that seeks to make integrated and along University Parkway and University Hill Air Force Base employees and military critical decisions regarding the future of Avenue, saving taxpayers $7 million. members to get to work by offering Utah’s central Wasatch Range. UTA is one regular bus service from the Clearfield of more than 20 organizations participating Salt Lake City Streetcar FrontRunner Station to the base. The bus in the program to evaluate and address In early 2014, UTA began working with Salt issues associated with transportation, Lake City and its Redevelopment Agency service is also open to the public and makes environmental protection, watershed (RDA) to conduct a transit study to find stops throughout the surrounding area. protection, economic opportunities, the best way to increase circulation and In August, UTA increased the frequency of recreation, and land use within the promote economic development in the city’s Wasatch Mountains and adjoining valleys. urban core. The Salt Lake City downtown several bus routes in Salt Lake and Utah Phase one of the program will culminate streetcar study focused on implementing a counties. In Salt Lake County, route 9 began with the Mountain Accord executive transit service that will enable a walkable running every 30 minutes on weekdays board’s decision on a “final blueprint,” urban lifestyle and encourage new and to better connect with the University of anticipated for completion in 2015. redeveloped properties. UTA and Salt Utah. Additionally, route 45 began running Lake City also began planning ways to every 15 minutes on weekdays. The Ogden-Weber State extend the current S-Line streetcar line route was also changed to connect with University Transit Project to Highland Drive in the heart of the UTA’s , allowing city’s Sugar House neighborhood. passengers to transfer to FrontRunner as In June 2014, UTA, Ogden and other community partners began a study to well as TRAX. The route also now connects UTA Fare Analysis Project identify the best way to use transit to with route 47, providing riders with a The UTA Fare Analysis Project is designed promote economic development and simplified bus connection from the west to explore possible changes to the agency’s connect the Ogden FrontRunner Station side of the valley to Wasatch Boulevard. current fare structure. UTA’s transit system with Weber State University and McKay-Dee has grown and changed exponentially Hospital. The 18-month study, which is In Utah County, Utah Valley University over the past 40 years; however, the fare building on already-completed work from students received improved bus service and structure has largely remained the same. previous transit research, is examining two more late night trips to help them access With the implementation of electronic potential alignments and the possibility of campus, student housing and community fare collection and prepaid FAREPAY a streetcar or bus rapid transit (BRT) line. events. The university’s campus shuttle cards, UTA now has many more options was replaced by UTA routes 840, 841 for how a fare is calculated and collected. Provo-Orem Bus Rapid and 862. These routes run every 10 to 15 The fare analysis project is designed to minutes and are designed to help students Transit explore these options and determine if connect from FrontRunner to campus. By December 2014, UTA neared completion improvements to UTA fares can be made of the Provo-Orem BRT environmental analysis, setting the stage for construction to begin as early as summer 2015. The 10.5-mile BRT line will connect the Provo and Orem FrontRunner stations with major Utah County destinations such as Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, employment centers, shopping malls, and downtown Provo and Orem. uta facts Service Area Rideshare • 15 refurbished passenger cars • Seven counties: Box Elder, Davis, • 64 schools with annual student • Streetcar: Opened the S-Line serving Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, Weber and transit passes South Salt Lake and Sugar House Summit (limited service) • 100 businesses with annual employee in December 2013 • 85 municipalities transit passes - Two miles, seven stops • 1,400 square miles • 1 SLC resident pass • Serves more than 80 percent • 485 vanpools providing 1,400,752 rides Future Projects of state’s population • 4,146 carpool matches attempted with • Utah County Bus Rapid Transit • 11 office/operations facilities and more 2,752 successful matches • Taylorsville-Murray Bus Rapid Transit than 2,400 acres of property • Mountain View Corridor Transit • 124 shared Park & Ride lots Bus & Paratransit • Southwest Salt Lake County • 105 bus routes • South Davis–Salt Lake Connector Operations & Performance • 16 flex bus routes • Downtown Streetcar (Salt Lake City) • Established March 3, 1970 • 6,250 active bus stops • Mountain Accord • Governed by a 16-member board of trustees • 478 buses (seeks long-term decisions appointed by local elected officials • 113 paratransit vehicles on the future of the central • Employs 2,302: Administration—807; • MAX bus rapid transit (BRT) service Wasatch Mountains, including Rail—366; Mt. Ogden (Weber & Davis on 3500 South (nine miles) transportation, environment, counties)—165; Salt Lake (Salt Lake • Fleet 100 percent accessible to riders economy and recreation) County)—836; and Timpanogos with disabilities (Utah County)—128 • UTA used more than 6.3 million gallons • Four-time recipient of APTA’s of diesel fuel in 2014 Outstanding Public Transportation System award, more than any other transit agency Light Rail • Maintains both ISO 9001 certification • Eight TRAX rail projects completed ahead for quality management and ISO 14001 of schedule and under budget: certification for environmental management - Sandy-Salt Lake Line: Dec. 1999 - University Line: Dec. 2001 Funding - Medical Center Extension: Sept. 2002 • Local-option sales tax: - Intermodal Hub Extension: Apr. 2008 - Salt Lake County: 0.6875 cent - West Valley Line: Aug. 2011 - Weber and Davis counties: 0.55 cent - Mid-Jordan Line: Aug. 2011 - Utah County: 0.526 cent - Airport Line: Apr. 2013 - Box Elder County: 0.55 cent - Draper Line: Aug. 2013 - Tooele County (select cities): 0.3 cent • 44.8 light rail miles, 51 stations • Discretionary and formula federal grants: more • 40 older TRAX vehicles than $1.7 billion received in last 10 years • 74 newer TRAX vehicles • Average vehicle weighs 44 tons Ridership • Four TRAX vehicles equal to the length • Ridership systemwide (2014): 45,078,458 of a football field trips, a 2.17 percent increase over 2013 • Average weekday boardings total Commuter Rail (Dec. 2014): 159,797 • FrontRunner service from Weber County - Rail (TRAX, FrontRunner & S-Line): 83,160 to Salt Lake opened April 2008 - Salt Lake County bus: 48,890 • Service from Salt Lake to Provo opened - Utah County bus: 9,378 December 2012 - Weber & Davis counties bus: 10,983 • 89 miles, 15 stations • Vanpools: 4,487 • 18 locomotives • Paratransit: 1,494 • 22 bi-level cab cars • Deviated Routes: 1,405 • 16 bi-level coach cars

Utah transit Authority 669 W 200 S | Salt Lake City, Utah | 84101 | rideuta.com