Proposed Change Day Plan Includes Extending Reduced Fare Eligibility to More Riders, Simplifying Fares to Benefit Frequent Riders, and Sunsetting Zero Fares on UVX in Utah County

What: Utah Transit Authority (UTA) virtual public meeting for information and comment on proposed August 2024 fare and route changes

Who: UTA riders and the public

When: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Where: Register for the virtual meeting: rideuta.com/changeday

View and listen on UTA’s Facebook page:
facebook.com/RideUTA/

Why: UTA regularly reviews and adjust services, fares, customer-facing information, and more across its service area to ensure the system is working well for riders and the communities UTA serves. The public comment period for UTA’s August Change Day (Aug. 18, 2024) is now open through March 29 for the public to review and provide input on the proposed changes for service and fares.

BACKGROUND:

The recommended August Change Day plan includes expanding the reduced fare income eligibility to an estimated 12,000 more riders, increasing the estimated number who qualify to more than 50,000.

Another proposed change benefits frequent riders with “fare capping,” a maximum per-day charge on the FAREPAY Card. 

Another possible impact open to public input is UTA’s proposal to charge regular fare for Utah Valley Express (UVX) trips. The rapid bus service between Orem and Provo has been on a temporary Zero Fare program due to federal and grant funding since it opened in 2018. UVX fare would still be included for Ed Pass and Eco Pass holders under the proposed change. UTA estimates 10-15% of UVX riders would start paying regular or reduced fare under the possible change.

There are no proposed bus or train route changes in August. Public comment is open for maintaining current frequency on three bus routes (Routes 39, 201, 218), and eliminating one route (Route 606) that has already been suspended and is covered by other routes.

In addition to the virtual public meeting, comments may also be shared before March 29 through the following communication modes:

Online form:  rideuta.com/changeday
Email:  hearingofficer@rideuta.com
Phone:  801-287-3888 
Mail:  Utah Transit Authority, c/o Jolisha Branch, 669 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101 

For more details on proposed changes visit rideuta.com/changeday or call 801-RIDE-UTA (801-743-3882).