April Change Day 2024


August Change Day 2024

UTA regularly reviews and adjusts our services, fares, customer-facing information, and more across our service area to ensure the system is working well for our riders and communities. UTA makes updates to service three times a year on Change Days in April, August, and December.

For August Change Day (August 18, 2024), a public comment period is NOW OPEN through March 29 for the public to review the proposed changes for service and fares and share their comments. A public comment period allows us to share information and raise awareness about proposed changes and gives the public the chance to share how proposed changes may impact them and how UTA can support the community should any changes be approved.

For August 2024 Change Day, UTA is recommending:

  • FAREPAY Card changes that would benefit frequent riders by having a maximum per-day charge
  • Reduced Fare program changes that would increase eligibility to over 12,000 more riders
  • UVX sunset of the Zero Fare program on the rapid bus service in Orem/Provo, where an estimated 10-15% of riders would now be charged regular fare
  • 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

Review more information and detail about proposed changes and get involved.

Get Involved

Submit comments

Share your comments using the form below by March 29:



You can also share your comments using any of the following:


  • Email: hearingofficer@rideuta.com
  • Phone: 801-287-3888
  • Mail: Utah Transit Authority, C/O Jolisha Branch, 669 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84101

A virtual livestream meeting was held Wednesday, March 13. If you wish to view and listen (only) to the formal meeting, you can do so at UTA’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RideUTA/

If you wish to view and listen (only) to the English or Spanish versions of the March 13 formal meeting, please click the appropriate YouTube video below:



Proposed Changes

Service


Fares


Proposed Service Change


  • Route 606 – proposed elimination
    • Route 606 in Ogden is currently suspended. This route served a very small group of riders and the main target destinations for the route have relocated.
  • Routes 39, 201, 218
    • The following routes in Salt Lake County will remain reduced. We intend to add service as soon as possible. Ongoing staffing shortages continue to be a challenge for UTA.
      • Route 39 – remains at 30-minute weekday frequency until we can increase to 15-minute
      • Route 201 – remains at 60-minute weekday frequency
      • Route 218 – remains at 60-minute weekday frequency
  • UTA has been working over the past several years to revise the staffing model to more sustainably hire operations staff while improving operator working conditions, shift selection, and employee support.
  • In addition, planned changes from the Five Year Service Plan (FYSP) are being delayed due to labor shortages. FYSP is being revised in 2024 and will re-prioritize key routes that have remained reduced.
    • (See UTA’s 2023-2027 Five-Year Service Plan and check back for updates at rideuta.com/FYSP.)

Proposed Fare Change

FAREPAY Changes


  • Remove 20% FAREPAY Discount
    • Currently, FAREPAY cardholders receive a 20% discount on each ride. With the proposed change to eliminate, riders would no longer receive a 20% discount per ride.
    • All FAREPAY Cards will automatically be enrolled in fare capping, which means that riders will not be charged after 2 trips per day and will not be charged more than $20 a week – read below for more information on fare capping.


  • Implement New Fare Capping Program for FAREPAY Cards
    • Fare capping caps your fare at a daily and weekly rate. All FAREPAY Cards would be automatically enrolled in fare capping.
      • Fare capping is a strategy used in other transit agencies that supports frequent riders. With fare capping on FAREPAY, riders will not be charged after 2 trips per day and will not be charged more than $20 a week.
        • Regular Fare: The new fare capping program sets a daily limit for FAREPAY Card users of $5 per day and $20 per week on regular service for regular fare.
        • Premium Fare (FrontRunner): With the implementation of fare capping program, a premium day rate will be implemented for FAREPAY Cards only and that will be $10 per day for full fare.
        • Reduced Fare: the Reduced Fare FAREPAY rate with fare capping will be set at $1 per trip, $2 per day, and $8 per week on regular service; $4 per day and $16 per week on premium service (including FrontRunner).
    • The week would be Sunday through Saturday. Each Sunday, your week will begin again.

Full Fare Reduced Fare
One-way Day Week One-way Day Week
Regular $2.50 $5 $20 $1 $2 $8
Premium X $10 $40 X $4 $16

Reduced Fare Program Changes

Reduced Fare FAREPAY Rate


  • This change, as detailed above, sets a new rate for Reduced Fare FAREPAY Card users, keeping the fare consistent with what it currently is. UTA offers reduced fare for eligible individuals including those eligible based on age, disability status, and income.
  • The Reduced Fare FAREPAY rate with fare capping will be set at $1 per trip, $2 per day, and $8 per week on regular service; $4 per day and $16 per week on premium service.

Reduced Fare
One-way Day Week
Regular $1 $2 $8
Premium X $4 $16

Reduced Fare Program Eligibility


  • Currently the income qualifications for UTA’s Reduced Fare FAREPAY Card are 150% federal poverty level. With this proposed change, the federal poverty income guidelines to qualify for UTA's reduced fare discount will be increased to 200%.
  • With this proposed change, newly eligible individuals would be able to apply online or through a UTA customer service location. More information about the reduced fare program and application are available here: https://www.rideuta.com/Fares-And-Passes/Reduced-Fare.

Current eligibility, 150% federal poverty:


Number in Household Max Gross Annual Income
1 $22,590.00
2 $30,660.00
3 $38,730.00
4 $46,800.00
5 $54,870.00
6 $62,940.00
7 $71,010.00
8 $79,080.00

Proposed eligibility, 200% federal poverty:


Number in Household Max Gross Annual Income
1 $30,12.00
2 $40,880.00
3 $51,640.00
4 $62,400.00
5 $73,160.00
6 $83,920.00
7 $94,680.00
8 $105,440.00

UVX Changes


  • UVX is currently a Zero Fare service. The proposed change is to begin charging regular fare ($2.50 one-way) for UVX service. UVX riders would transition to paying fare.
    • UVX has been Zero Fare since its implementation in 2018. Funding for Zero Fare has expired. Fares support the operating and maintenance costs of running transit service. This change aligns with UTA policy to charge fare for service.
  • Payment methods:
    • For those with passes provided through UVU and BYU, little will change, except a renewed emphasis on tapping on and off.
    • Riders who have no fare payment method currently will need to acquire one. Riders will need a non-cash method to utilize UVX. Payment will be collected for UVX off-board at the stops.
    • Cash will not be accepted on UVX.
      • A FAREPAY Card is a great option for riders with cash.

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