UTA wants your feedback on the Tentative 2017 Budget. Share your thoughts online before Nov. 30 or give feedback in person at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at UTA headquarters, 669 W. 200 South Salt Lake City.
UTA’s Budget: State of Good Repair Projects
You may notice that our 2017 budget, like that of previous years, contains funding for state of good repair projects. These projects ensure that UTA equipment and infrastructure are being properly maintained – for passenger safety and comfort, and to help extend the lifespan of the system. This ongoing, careful maintenance is one way that the agency practices its “true north”, or key value, of good stewardship of public resources.
In 2017, it is proposed that $79.8 million of the UTA budget be dedicated to maintaining UTA information technology systems, infrastructure, facilities and vehicles. Read on to learn more about a few of the state of good repair projects planned for 2017.
Information Technology Systems
UTA is finishing a 2016 overhaul of the Wi-Fi system on FrontRunner trains, which will provide riders with faster Internet speed and more reliable service. In 2017, we plan to improve Wi-Fi on our 65 express buses. The Wi-Fi system will be upgraded from 3G to LTE technology, and speed will be approximately four times faster than that of the current system. Work is expected to be complete by mid-summer 2017.
Other proposed 2017 enhancements to information technology systems include improvements to our tap on/tap off machines and camera upgrades on TRAX trains. These camera upgrades will allow UTA Transit Police or supervisors to remotely retrieve video footage from trains. The ability to access video instantly via a Wi-Fi connection will help police to respond more quickly to emergencies or security threats.
Station Maintenance
The Tentative 2017 Budget includes funds to replace worn TRAX platform edges and install tactile safety strips. The yellow, bumpy tactile strips serve as a reminder for riders to stay away from the edge of TRAX platforms. Central Pointe, Historic Sandy, Sandy Civic Center and Fashion Place West TRAX stations will be upgraded next summer, but each station will remain open during construction. Most other TRAX stations in the system have already received tactile strip and platform edge upgrades.
Also in 2017, UTA plans to conduct maintenance at five rail grade crossings and improve select pedestrian crossings along FrontRunner and the Blue Line. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more maintenance news and potential impacts to travel.
Vehicle Maintenance
Our Siemens SD-100 and SD-160 TRAX cars recently turned 15, which is “middle age” for these vehicles with approximate 30-year lifespans. To keep them in top operating condition, UTA is overhauling some of the vehicles’ major operating systems over a period of several years. In 2017, these TRAX vehicles are expected to receive an overhaul of couplers, pantographs, HVAC systems, brakes, traction systems and more. Because the work is mechanical rather than cosmetic, riders will not notice a difference in their riding experience. Work will be conducted in a manner that allows us to maintain a normal fleet of TRAX cars on the system at all times.
Check back next week as we take a look at some of the other improvements included in the Tentative 2017 Budget. The Tentative Budget and other supporting documents are available here. See the public hearing notice for more information about how to submit comments by phone, letter or email. After the comment period closes Nov. 30, a final budget will be adopted by the board in December.